The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1086

Sean had known for a long time that Sandy was behind Tavon’s stroke—he’d never doubted it for a second.

But finding out Sandy was the reason Ashley jumped to her death? That hit him like a punch to the gut.

“No. No way, Dad. Sandy couldn’t do something like that. That was Mom. Mom jumped because of you—”

“Don’t give me that,” Tavon cut him off, his voice sharp with anger. “You know your mother. She was tough as nails her whole life. You really think she’d just end it like that?”

Sean’s mind spun. It wasn’t suicide. It was a fall. And Sandy was mixed up in it.

He remembered Sandy poisoning Tavon, and suddenly, he wasn’t so sure of anything anymore.

“Why would she do that?” Sean pressed. “I get why she’d go after you, but Mom? What was the point?”

“Oh, so it’s fine if she tries to kill me?” Tavon’s eyes narrowed. “Sean, how long have you known?”

“I… I…” Sean stammered, guilt all over his face.

Tavon shook his head, his disappointment almost physical. His hands trembled. “You really are my son, huh?”

“Dad, no, I—That’s not what I—” Sean’s words fell apart.

Tavon waved him off, grief settling over him like a heavy blanket. The kids he’d once been so proud of—how had things ended up like this?

Sean’s reaction was the last straw.

“From now on, you and your sister can do whatever you want. I’m done. Just pretend I’m not here anymore,” Tavon said quietly.

The only reason he’d stuck around was because he thought he could count on Sean. Now, with that gone, he had nothing keeping him.

That night, Tavon packed his things and left. Sean didn’t even manage to stop him.

Sandy could see it was useless to keep pretending. She sank onto the couch and went quiet.

Sean grabbed her arm, voice cracking. “Sandy, what happened to you? We’re your family. Your real family.”

“That’s it? That’s why you hurt Mom and Dad?” Sean couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Mom and Dad were busy…”

For the first time, Sean saw just how deep Sandy’s resentment ran.