The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Katelyn was the kind of woman who never thought twice about money—a fancy dinner downtown could run her four hundred bucks, and she'd barely notice. But for most families, that kind of cash could stretch for weeks.

Adam's family, though, was in a real bind, and Anastasia knew she had to step in. She couldn't just stand by and watch her mom walk into a mess.

The moment she got home, Anastasia went looking for Salma.

She found her mom in her room, chatting away on the phone with Adam. Even from the hallway, Anastasia could hear Salma's laughter. They sounded genuinely happy.

Anastasia hesitated outside the door, listening for a moment. It struck her how rare it was to hear her mother laugh like that.

She decided to give them some space and turned back toward her own room. No sooner had she closed the door than Katelyn barged in, arms crossed, face stern. "Anastasia, care to explain what happened at the hotel? Who was that guy?"

So Katelyn was still hung up on that.

Instead of answering, Anastasia asked, "Mom, how did you even know I was at the hotel?"

She hadn't told Katelyn, and there was no way her mom would randomly show up there.

"Mrs. Walker saw you. If it weren't for her, I'd still be in the dark," Katelyn said, her temper barely contained. "The Salstroms have always treated you well, and Herman adores you. The kids are still little, Ana. Don't go doing something you'll regret."

Anastasia immediately pieced it together-Autumn must've seen her, probably saw Rowan too, and dragged Katelyn along hoping to catch something scandalous.

She looked her mom in the eye. "Mom, you've known me for years. Do you really think I'd ever betray Herman?"

That question seemed to stump Katelyn.

Back when Herman had his accident, Anastasia had a hundred chances to walk away, but she never did. Everyone still remembered how she'd searched high and low for him-the whole city had been moved by her devotion. Their love wasn't something you could fake.

Noticing her mom's anger was fading, Anastasia explained, "I met Dailey today because I needed his help with something. As for the person you saw, I didn't even plan to meet him. He just needed to drop something off with me. That's it."

Katelyn frowned, not completely convinced. "Is that really all? You're not cheating on Herman?"

Anastasia couldn't help but laugh. "Mom, do you really doubt your own son's appeal? Honestly, I only want Herman. No one else."

That seemed to put Katelyn at ease, maybe even made her a little proud.

Thinking it over, Katelyn realized Anastasia and Rowan hadn't acted suspicious at the hotel. Rowan had handed something over and left, just like Anastasia said.

"Ana, it's not that I don't trust you," Katelyn finally said, "but people love to gossip. Just be careful, okay?"

"I know, Mom. Don't worry, I'll be mindful." Anastasia could tell Katelyn's anger had faded. “Hey, why don't you check on Emmie? I think the kids are up."

The distraction worked Katelyn left to see her grandkids.

She didn't stay long at Southridge Estates; after a little playtime with the kids, she headed back to Salstrom Manor.

Meanwhile, Pattie was busy getting ready for her birthday party. Herman had even hired a teacher to give her etiquette lessons, and she was still keeping up with her piano practice.

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Whenever she had free time, Pattie was learning self-defense moves from Dailey: She was young, but already had this air of confidence and cool about her. Watching Ker daughter become so capable filled Anastasia with pride.

That's what being a mom was all about-the better your kids did, the happier you felt.

Katelyn kept quiet about the hotel incident. She figured it was better not to stir up trouble, and deep down, she just wanted Herman and Anastasia to be happy together.

Anastasia didn't mention it either. To her, it was such a minor thing it wasn't even worth bringing up.

That night when Herman got home,

Dailey mentioned the argumentnoveldrama

between Katelyn and Anastasia

Dailey didn't know all the details, just

told Herman the basics so he

wouldn't be caught off guard.

Herman's face darkened as he listened. He called Katelyn right away and, with

just a few pointed questions, got the whole story out of her.

He learned that Anastasia had met a man at the hotel. From Katelyn's description, he knew exactly who it was.

Even though he trusted that Anastasia's meeting with Dailey was innocent, the thought of Rowan always hanging around her made his skin crawl.

When Herman finally made it to the bedroom, Anastasia was in the shower. He loosened his tie, hesitated for a second, then opened the bathroom door and walked in.

Inside, Anastasia was just about to step out when she saw him come in. She was completely naked, her cheeks instantly flushing pink "Herman! Can you wait outside? I'll be done in a minute..."

He just grinned. "Let's shower together."