The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Herman was always the distant type. Cold, reserved—never letting anyone get

close, except Anastasia. With her, he showed a softness that almost didn't seem

possible. But everyone else? He kept his walls up, his gaze cool and detached,

almost like he couldn't care less.

He'd wanted to let Sandy off easy.

But Sandy just wouldn't listen. She had to go and stir up trouble with Anastasia.noveldrama

That was it. She'd crossed a line she shouldn't have touched.

Sandy saw the flicker of danger in Herman's eyes and tried to pry his fingers off

her wrist. His grip was like iron—she couldn't even make him flinch.

Giving up, Sandy stopped fighting and just looked up at him, her eyes big and

innocent, tears glistening in the corners. She'd always known how to play the

helpless victim—red-rimmed eyes, trembling lips, the picture of pure, sweet

vulnerability. The kind of girl any guy would want to protect, the kind that made

hearts ache.

It always worked. Always—except with Herman.

He let go of her wrist, looking at her like she was something he'd just scraped off

his shoe. His voice was colder than ice. "What did you say to her?"

Sandy coughed, forcing a few tears down her cheeks, trying to look as pitiful as

she could. "I was only here as a guest, I didn't know I'd run into Anastasia. She

asked me about what happened back at Willowbrook. I remembered what you

told me—I didn't say a word. I apologized, told her nothing happened, honestly.

But she didn't believe me. She even slapped me. Twice."

She leaned in, making sure he saw her cheek, red from the supposed slap.

Herman's eyes stayed flat and hard. He didn't believe a bit of it.

"If she slapped you, you probably deserved it," he said, and then wiped his hand

with a napkin, like her touch had left something dirty behind.

That cut deeper than any slap.

Did he really despise her that much?

Sandy braced herself against the table, voice shaking. "Those months at

Floradale—were they really that awful for you? Am I that much of an

embarrassment?"

"Sandy, when someone loses their dignity and thinks a little manipulation will get

them what they want, that's just pathetic." Herman's voice was calm, cold. With

him, if you weren't Anastasia, you didn't even register.

Sandy's confidence cracked. She felt exposed, like he could see right through her,

every hidden thought laid bare.

"I gave you a chance. You wasted it. Now get ready—Morton Group's finished."

He turned and walked away, not even glancing back.

For the first time, Sandy realized

she'd really pushed him too far. She

rushed after him, heels clicking loud

on the marble floor. "Herman, I

swear! I didn't say anything! There

was nothing to tell! Anastasia just

wouldn't believe me. Morton Group

is my whole life—you can't destroy it.

Remember, I once saved your life—"

He cut her off, voice icy. "I warned you. And believe me, I remember those days

better than you think."

The only reason he'd come looking for Sandy was to see if it really was her who

drove Anastasia away.

And now he knew.

Sandy froze, then forced a mocking

laugh. "Herman, aren't you and

Anastasia supposed to be so in

love? Where's all that trust now? If

she really believed you, why would

she doubt you? Your marriage isn't

as unbreakable as people think.

There's no such thing as forever in

love—only interests last. You and I,

we could be unstoppable if you'd

just get over yourself."

"You're not as clever as you think," Herman shot back, already halfway out the

door.

Sandy watched him leave, still

convinced he wouldn't actually

destroy Morton Group. But just in

case, she grabbed her phone and

called Tavon, instantly switching to

her most desperate tone. "Dad, we're

in trouble. Morton Group's in real

danger. Herman—he's about to..."