The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Tavon's eyes fluttered like a pair of hummingbird wings at the thought of leaving with Anastasia. His rapid blinking was a silent plea; he was ready to follow her wherever she led.

Ashley, his wife, saw red. "Tavon, you ungrateful snake," she hissed. "After all the years I've spent tending to you, wiping your brow, and you dare to walk away with her? Has your conscience been eaten by wolves?" Her anger erupted into a storm of slaps and punches, and Tavon, helpless and in pain, wept without the strength to fight back.

Salma intervened, pulling Ashley away. "Enough, Ashley! Have you ever stopped to think why Tavon would rather go with us than stay with you?"

Ashley's tears flowed freely. "He's heartless! His heart's been stolen by you and your daughter!"

Her words dripped with venom, a clear jab at Anastasia and her daughter.

Unruffled, Anastasia calmly stated, "It's clear what dad wants. He's made his choice."

Ashley turned her fury into an eviction. "I'm his wife, you have no right to take him! Get out, or I'll call the cops!"

Sandy, caught between her mother's wrath and her father's silent pleas, tried to mediate. "Auntie, Sis, Mom loves Dad deeply. How can you just take him away? It's not right. If you want to see Dad, you're always welcome. The company is his legacy, and that includes your share too." Anastasia gestured to the lawyer she brought along, who handed her the share transfer documents.

"Here's my offer," she said, laying out her cards before Ashley and Sandy. "What's it going to be? Do you want to keep a man who's suffered a stroke, or do you want the Morton Group? You've got some thinking to do. This is Mr. Rowland, and he's confirmed that these agreements are legally binding."

Mr. Rowland stepped forward. "Ladies, my client, Ms. Jewell, is entitled to inherit the Morton Group as per the agreement. She will also gain a fifty-five percent share in Tavon's company, making her the majority shareholder." Ashley's face twisted with envy and rage, and even Sandy's calm demeanor cracked.

"Tavon, how could you? Leaving everything to that... woman! What about Sandy and Sean? They're your children too!"

Tavon blinked desperately at Anastasia, silently begging for rescue from Ashley's escalating temper.

Predictably, Ashley lunged at Tavon, but Anastasia blocked her. "I'll give you one night to think it over. Tomorrow, I'll either call a shareholders' meeting and reclaim the company, or you bring Dad to The Grand Plaza Hotel." Sandy pleaded, "Sis, we're family. Why does it have to be like this? You can see Dad anytime, be part of the company. It's Dad's, and naturally, it's yours too."

"Exactly, we're family. Let's keep the peace and prosper. Think it over, my dear sister. Mom's worried about Dad, and I've got no choice. You bring Dad, and I'll void this contract." Anastasia feigned helplessness. With those words, she left with her lawyer and Salma.

Ashley, fuming, wanted to take out her anger on Tavon, but Sandy intervened. "Mom, stop it. Dad's already like this; you can't hit him. Go outside; I need to talk to Dad alone."

In this household, Ashley listened to Sandy, almost instinctively.

Left alone with Tavon, Sandy said softly, "Dad, do you really want to go with Sis? Sean and I, aren't we your kids too? You're leaving us everything? Don't you care about us at all?"

Tavon mumbled incoherently, fear creeping in. Sandy had always seemed sweet and sensible, but there was a chill to her that he couldn't ignore.

Sandy continued, "Dad, if you want to go with Sis, I won't stop you. This is the third time you've abandoned me."

Tavon didn't understand. When had he ever abandoned Sandy?

She stood up, her demeanor serene but her heart cold. She remembered the first abandonment well; her parents chose to save her brother over her. The second was during the divorce when neither parent wanted her, deeming her a burden. And now, this was the third.

Each abandonment, etched clearly in her memory.

Returning to her room, Sandy pulled out a vial of medicine, her face shifting from kindness to malice.

She had achieved control over the Morton Group by deceit and manipulation, but it wasn't enough. Not nearly enough.