The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 603

Anastasia wasn't supposed to do any strenuous activity. Just a few steps in, and a sharp pain hit her lower abdomen.

She had to stop, clutching her belly and trying to catch her breath.

Ahead, the Peppa Pig mascot was getting further away, and she felt a pang of frustration. It was a lead she'd worked so hard to find, possibly connected to whoever had taken her daughter, Pattie.

Taking a deep breath, she whispered to her belly, "Hang in there, little one. Mommy’s going to find your sister soon."

Despite the pain, Anastasia focused on the mascot again and forced herself to keep going.

But it disappeared around a corner, and panic set in. At the crossroads, she scanned her surroundings, feeling a surge of self-blame. How could she have lost it?

"Hey, sis."

A familiar voice called from behind.

Turning around, Anastasia saw Dailey, who had managed to catch the mascot.

Overjoyed, she rushed over and confronted the person inside, "Where's my daughter? Did you take her?"

A woman's voice, slightly muffled, came from inside the costume, "Who are you people? Kidnap who? I'm no kidnapper!"

The woman inside was clearly out of breath from the chase.

Anastasia signaled Dailey to remove the mascot's head, revealing an elderly woman in her sixties—Cynthia's neighbor.

"If you didn’t take my daughter, why were you running? And why the Peppa Pig costume? Tell me the truth, or I'll take you to the police," Anastasia pressed on, her patience thinning.

The elderly lady, almost in tears, protested, "You were chasing me, so of course I ran! Why would I run if you weren’t after me? I don’t even know you. What do you want with me?"

Had they got it wrong?