Anastasia had gotten photos like this before. It wasn’t the first time someone tried to mess with her head. Back when Herman got tangled up in Julie’s games, she’d received pictures that were even more suggestive. But back then, she trusted Herman completely—doubting him never even crossed her mind.
Now? She hesitated. Things had changed. This wasn’t the same Herman anymore. He didn’t remember her at all. Whatever might have happened between him and Sandy seemed almost understandable, in a sad kind of way.
She didn’t reply to Sandy’s message. Ignoring it was her best move. No way was she going to let Sandy get a rise out of her—she wasn’t about to hand over her feelings that easily. That would just let Sandy win.
Meanwhile, in Willowbrook, Sandy stared at her phone, annoyed. Still no response from Anastasia. It felt like throwing a punch and hitting nothing but air.
Was Anastasia really this unbothered?
Sandy wished she had something juicier to send, something that would really make Anastasia lose her cool. But this shirtless photo was all she had—snapped ages ago when she’d sneaked into the bathroom while Herman was showering, catching him off guard.
Anastasia let out a frustrated sigh and looked up at the night sky. The evening was beautiful, stars scattered everywhere.
Just then, Tavon came up to the rooftop garden, carrying a bottle of liquor and a bowl of peanuts. The two of them bumped into each other and paused, surprised.
Tavon raised an eyebrow. “Ana, why aren’t you in bed yet?”
She pulled herself together. “Dad, you’re up too.”
He gave a resigned sigh, sat down across from her, and twisted open the bottle. “How can I sleep? Just thinking about your mom and that Adam guy—keeps me up at night.”
“Adam?” Anastasia asked, puzzled.
“Yeah, that guy with the last name Liu. Honestly, Ana, your mom’s taste in men… I mean, look at me—handsome as I am, I never could fix her taste. Now she’s dating someone who’s short, round, and dark as a lump of coal. When they dance together, it’s like she’s hugging a gorilla.”
Anastasia couldn’t help but laugh, her bad mood lifting a bit. “Dad, you’re exaggerating. But you’re right about one thing—Mom’s taste in men is questionable. Twenty-eight years ago, she must’ve been blind.”
If she hadn’t been, would she have picked Tavon in the first place?
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)
Author pls Pls don't separate Ana and Herman once again because of Sandy. There must be an ending to Ana's sufferings!...
Yes yes yes!!! Thank you!!!...
How comes the twists are becoming uninteresting and unrealistic? Readers will prefer cleaner straight happy endings. Please don't go far beyond otherwise readers will lose interest. Time to end the story like we want it to be....
Please give us a happy ending for Anastasia and Herman with Pattie recognized as Herman's daughter, thank you!!!...
Pls update. This novel is really good....