The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 665

Monica slapped her thigh, "Ana, something just came up, I gotta run." Just like that, she was in and out like a whirlwind. Herman and Anastasia shared a knowing glance, and Anastasia chuckled, "That's Monica for you—always in a hurry. She's a bit insecure about relationships, you know? Got burned a few times. Now, with Jason giving her the cold shoulder, she's probably overthinking everything."

Herman nodded, "Yeah, I noticed. Last time, she saw me having lunch with my cousin and totally jumped to conclusions."

Anastasia laughed, "She told me about that. Funny enough, her being with Jason now is kinda thanks to that little misunderstanding."

"Oh?" Herman's curiosity was piqued.

Anastasia shrugged and recounted the story, leaving Herman grinning, "A happy accident, then. But yeah, your best friend seems like someone who doesn't let things slide easily."

"Who does? Getting sand in your eye hurts," Anastasia teased. "Trust is a two-way street. She and Jason are just starting out, so a little insecurity is normal. Remember when we first got together..."

Anastasia trailed off, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink at the memory. Herman, intrigued, pressed on, "What about us?"

Anastasia rolled her eyes, "First, that business with Cason Kirkwood—was that your doing?"

"For a rival, no mercy," Herman's eyes darkened slightly, "Had to dig up some dirt on him. It might've been a minor annoyance for him, but it was an eyesore for me. Best to deal with it cleanly. He brought it on himself."

Anastasia was speechless. To Herman, it might have seemed trivial, but for the Kirkwoods, it was everything—their factory closed, and Cason ended up in jail.

If Cason hadn't tried to blackmail Herman, things might not have ended so harshly.

Little Pattie ran over, tugging at Herman's hand, eager to show him her drawing. Pattie could now communicate a lot through gestures. Herman lifted Pattie, "Let's see what my little artist has drawn."

Pattie gestured with her tiny hands: birds, a big tree, a stream... Every time Anastasia saw Pattie using gestures, her heart ached with guilt. She'd never hear Pattie's voice again.