The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 485

Nobody dared to answer Anastasia's question.

After being cooped up for days, Anastasia looked pale and haggard. Her lips were blistered, her hair a tangled mess. She was a shadow of her former self, completely drained of energy.

Her gaze darted between Salma and Monica, picking up on the unspoken worries in their eyes.

She understood.

"He hasn't woken up, has he?" Her voice was so soft that the breeze carried it away, making it almost inaudible.

Pattie wrapped her arms around Anastasia's waist, looking up with bright, teary eyes. "Mom, I missed you. I was so scared."

Pattie had been terrified for days, afraid her mom wouldn’t return and that her dad might be gone forever.

She couldn't understand why their once happy home had fallen apart.

Pattie's admission of fear brought tears to Anastasia's eyes. Holding Pattie close, she choked out, "I'm so sorry, baby. Mommy is so sorry."

Unable to hold back any longer, Pattie sobbed, "Mommy, please don't leave me. Mommy."

"I won't leave you, I promise. I'm so sorry, my darling," Anastasia said, hugging Pattie tightly, her apologies mingling with her sobs as mother and daughter cried together.

Salma and Monica couldn't help but feel moved by the scene.

"Let's head back, Ana. Get in the car," Monica suggested.

Wiping away a tear, Salma agreed, "Let's go home."

On the drive back, Pattie clung to Anastasia, fearing she might disappear again. Pattie had always struggled with a sense of insecurity.

When they arrived at the rental, Salma prepared a fire pit outside the door. "Jump over the fire pit, Ana. It'll chase away the bad luck, and good fortune will follow," she said, clinging to an old superstition.

Anastasia stepped over the fire pit and entered the house, which had been her home for years. She felt like Cinderella, who had met her prince and lived in a castle, but now the fairy tale was over, and she was back to her reality.

She and he were never from the same world.

Salma said, "Ana, I'll run you a hot bath. Soak and wash away the day."