The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 443

Struggling to wake up from her nightmare, Anastasia felt trapped in a swirling, crimson fog that was as eerie as it was terrifying.

She was drenched in sweat, her brow furrowed deeply, when the sharp ring of her cell phone yanked her back to reality.

Blinking her eyes open, she found herself covered in cold sweat. She quickly flicked on the bedside lamp, seeking solace in its warm glow.

As she looked around the room, she realized she had just escaped a horrendous nightmare.

Her phone chimed again with the tone of a new message. It was from an unknown number.

With a sense of dread, Anastasia picked up her phone and read the chilling message: “Be careful of your belly.”

Her heart pounded, and the lingering fear from her nightmare, combined with a sudden ache in her abdomen, filled her with terror.

When Anastasia tried to call the number back, it was unreachable.

Consumed by fear, she gently rubbed her belly and whispered to her unborn child, “Don’t worry, baby, Mama’s here to protect you. I can’t wait to meet you.”

She didn’t dare share this with Herman, who was swamped with work at the factory. She couldn’t bring herself to burden him with her fears.

She decided to stay indoors for a while, focusing on nurturing her pregnancy. As for the ominous message, she’d discuss it with Herman when he returned from Shanghai.

That night, Anastasia couldn’t sleep. Her fear kept her wide awake.

The next morning, she looked pale and drained. When Salma came to call her for breakfast, she noticed Anastasia’s poor condition. “Ana, didn’t you sleep well last night? You look awful. I’ll call the doctor.”

“Nightmare, Mom. Kept me awake,” Anastasia replied wearily. “Can you take Pattie to school today?”

“Rest at home, dear. I’ll take Pattie to school,” Salma assured her.

After breakfast, Pattie, as she did every morning, came to say goodbye to Anastasia and her unborn sibling.

She quickly realized that Katie, the housemaid, was not around. She tried calling her, but there was no answer.

Finding it strange as Katie was usually reachable, Anastasia stopped trying and went to the kitchen to fix herself something to eat.

Just as she was eating, Katie returned.

“Katie, where have you been?” Anastasia asked. “I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer.”

Katie, who seemed rather distraught, perked up at the sound of Anastasia’s voice. “I had to take care of something at home, ma’am. What would you like for lunch? I’ll prepare it for you.”

“I’d love some sweet and sour ribs. And maybe some chicken braised with chestnuts,” Anastasia replied, her mouth watering at the thought of the delicious dishes.

“Right away, ma’am,” Katie replied with a smile. “I’ll get started after I change.”

Once she was back in her room, Katie quickly retrieved the pills she had discarded in the trash—abortion pills.