Northside Clinic
Tucked away on the edge of town, the street outside was nothing but shadows and silence. It was well past midnight, and not even the hum of a car disturbed the darkness.
Inside, the clinic’s lights cast a soft glow, catching on bottles and clean sheets. Rowan lay on a narrow bed, battered and bleeding. Hanna, the on-call doctor, worked quietly beside him, her hands steady, but her eyes sharp with worry.
Rowan’s injuries were no joke—five deep cuts traced across his face, hands, and back, not to mention a dozen smaller wounds. Hanna dabbed ointment on each one, her touch careful. Rowan gritted his teeth, jaw clenched so tight the muscles in his neck jumped. He never made a sound, not even when his body shuddered with the pain.
He’d dragged himself in after a fight that should have killed him, Hanna knew. Four men against one—he’d survived, but just barely.
A sheen of sweat clung to Rowan’s brow, his whole body tense. Hanna couldn’t keep it in anymore. “Was it worth it?” she pressed, voice low but fierce. “You almost died for her. Does she even know? Does she understand what you’ve gone through? Every scar on your face, your chest, your arms—she’s the reason you’re lying here!”
Frustration and jealousy tangled inside her. She’d known Rowan for years, never seen him care about anyone—until Anastasia showed up.
A nasty gash ran across his cheek, deep enough to scar. All this damage, all because of Anastasia.
Rowan’s reply was barely more than a whisper. “It’s not her fault.”
That only made Hanna angrier—and left her aching, too. If Anastasia understood what Rowan had done, maybe Hanna wouldn’t feel so bitter. But Anastasia didn’t know. Rowan was just a fool, throwing himself into the fire for someone who had no idea.
And yet, the thought of Anastasia ever finding out made Hanna’s stomach twist. What if she did? What if she cared for Rowan too, and Hanna lost her chance with him?
Women, Hanna thought, always letting their hearts get the best of them.
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....