The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

To some, Herman's behavior seemed a bit puzzling.

He said, "It might not be worth much, but it's important."

"Kid, you're just as peculiar as that woman from earlier," the stall owner remarked. "She was holding a pair of earrings, eyes all red and teary. I mean, what's there to cry about over some cheap earrings? Looked like she was searching for someone. Know her? Was she looking for you?"

Hearing this, Herman's heart skipped a beat. He quickly asked, "What did this woman look like? Do you know her name?"

"She was stunning, like something out of a fairytale," the stall owner replied earnestly. "So beautiful, no photo editing could do her justice, and she just naturally looked like that. Her name? No way I'd dare ask. Besides, she had a handsome guy with her. They seemed like a couple. Me trying to chat them up would just earn me a punch."

The stall owner had clearly mistaken Henry and Anastasia for a couple.

Herman glanced in the direction the stall owner indicated, thanked him, and set off.

The stall owner muttered to himself, "People these days, really all sorts."

Herman followed the stall owner's directions but didn't see anyone matching the description.

He scanned the street, his intuition telling him he'd been here before. The woman who took the cherry earrings might be someone he knew.

Instead of wandering elsewhere, Herman booked a room at the nearby Super 8 motel on the Night Market street, deciding to wait it out. Maybe he'd run into the woman who picked up the earrings.

Anastasia finally returned to Salstrom Manor around one in the morning.

She was utterly exhausted. After checking on the babies in the nursery, she fell asleep right there.

In the middle of the night, the cries of Emmie and Nancy needing their formula woke Anastasia.

As she opened her eyes, the nanny had already come in to feed them.noveldrama

Too tired to move, Anastasia turned over and went back to sleep.

The nanny finished feeding the babies, then placed them beside Anastasia,

leaving a small nightlight on before quietly exiting.

Emmie and Nancy snuggled close to Anastasia and slept soundly, all three resting peacefully until daylight.

When Katelyn came in, the two little ones were already awake, amusing

themselves quietly without waking Anastasia.

These truly were angelic babies, waking without fuss or tears.

Katelyn stepped in, intending to carry the babies out so Anastasia could sleep a bit longer.

Anastasia stirred awake, spotting Katelyn. She rubbed her eyes, "Mom."

Katelyn suggested, "Get some more rest. I'll take the kids out."

Glancing at the clock, Anastasia saw it was already eight.

"Mom, let me take care of the kids today. I want to take them out for a walk to see the cherry blossoms. I promised Monica," Anastasia said. She had also promised Pattie to accompany her to see the blossoms.

Hearing this, Katelyn's face fell. "Is it Pattie who wants to see the cherry blossoms? The wind is strong today, better not take the kids out. You go with Pattie."

Katelyn was intentionally trying to keep the two children and Pattie apart.

But today was actually perfect-clear and sunny, a great day for cherry blossoms.

Anastasia understood Katelyn's intention all too well.

"Mom, I did promise Pattie. She hasn't seen her little brother and sister in a while. I want to spend the day with all three. Pattie is their sister She loves them, and Emmie

and Nancy adore her too. It's ne

important to nurture their bond now so they'll be close in the future."

Katelyn picked up Nancy, her expression stern. "Ana, there's something I need to tell you. Pattie may have the Salstrom name, but she isn't blood-related to these two. You're their mother, and how you treat Pattie is your business. But these kids, they carry the Salstrom name truly."

Katelyn was hinting that Anastasia shouldn't favor Pattie when it came to the family's business.

"Mom, Pattie

is a

Salstrom too, she's

Herman's daughter. Back then-" Anastasia started to explain, but Katelyn interrupted, "Ana, don't think I'm being harsh. Pattie having the Salstrom name was already@ concession from your father and me. Now that Herman's gone, we've let you lead because you're the mother of these two. Herman entrusted the company to you. I ask for nothing else, but whatever happens with Pattie or if you decide to remarry, the Salstrom family's legacy must go to Nancy and Emmie."