The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Jack shrugged off his jacket, revealing a three-inch gash on his arm. He'd wrapped it with a torn piece of cloth, but blood was still seeping through. He grabbed a first-aid kit from the cupboard and started tending to the wound himself. The anesthetic had run out, so after a

quick disinfection, he began stitching up the gash.

The first stitch sent a wave of pain through him, causing beads of cold sweat to form on his forehead. The guy was tough as nails. Stitching himself up without any anesthetic, he clenched a piece of cloth between his teeth. His body trembled with each painful stitch, like he was being put through the wringer.

But no matter the pain, Jack didn't make a sound. By the time he tied off the last stitch, he looked like he'd taken a stroll through the gates of hell-his body drenched in sweat, his face ghostly pale, his lips white as chalk. It was a frightening sight.

Jack lay weakened on the couch, trying to catch his breath when his cell phone started ringing. It kept ringing for a while before Jack gathered enough strength to pick it up.

A cold, detached voice came from the other side: "Rowan, what's the deal? You've been MIA."

"Just..." Rowan, aka Jack, tried to sit up and explain when the man on the other end cut him off: "Did you take care of the job I gave you?"

"...No," Rowan admitted, glancing at his bandaged arm. "Herman showed up in Willowbrook. Never had the chance... Got into a scuffle with Herman's goon, Dailey..."

Rowan never got the chance to mention his injury before he was berated from the other end.

"You're useless, can't even handle a simple task. Last time, you botched the job with Julie. Now, you failed to nab a woman. What are you good for?"

Rowan bit back his pain and managed to utter, "Bro..."

The man on the phone coldly reminded him of his place: "You've forgotten who you are."

"Yes," Rowan replied respectfully: "Boss Konrad."

"If Herman is in town, then keep the woman under wraps for now. Don't blow your cover." "Understood."

The call ended, and Rowan couldn't hold on any longer, collapsing back onto the couch.

In another room, Anastasia returned to her hotel room to find that Herman had arrived unexpectedly, delighting her: "You came without telling me again." Salma had tactfully booked herself another room before Anastasia returned.

"I was worried you might be bullied over here." Herman noticed she was holding a pack of sanitary pads and asked, "Are you in pain?"

"Not yet." Anastasia's periods were usually brutal, with cramps so bad they made her nauseous and covered in cold sweats.

"We can't be too careful. Sit down and rest. I'll prepare a hot foot bath for you." Herman went on to order ginger tea with brown sugar from a local delivery service. Whenever Anastasia had her periods, Herman would prepare a foot bath for her. And when she had swollen feet during her pregnancy, he'd massage them for her. Back then, Anastasia felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

Herman fetched a basin of hot water, and Anastasia sat on the couch to soak her feet.

"How will Pattie manage with you here in Willowbrook?" she asked.

"I've asked Flynn to help out with the driving. She'll be fine; it's a small thing he can handle." Herman inquired, "Your visit to the Morton family today, did it yield anything?" "My dad really had a stroke. He can't speak, and Ashley refuses to let him go. I used the share transfer agreement as leverage: a person for a contract."

As Anastasia spoke, Herman brought her a warm cup of water. His tenderness and care were like a gentle spring rain, silently nurturing and heartwarmingly soothing. Herman was surprised: "You gave up your inheritance rights to Morton Group?"

"Holding onto it was pointless for me," she shrugged. "As long as we have the green hills, we need not fear running out of firewood. I just want to get my dad out and get him better. We need to figure out what exactly caused his stroke." Herman looked at Anastasia with eyes full of admiration and pride, making her slightly embarrassed.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"My wife, you are wise and prudent, smart, and know when to hold and when to fold. I am so proud." Anastasia laughed: "I'm not as great as you make it sound. Don't you think I'm a bit of a coward?"

"Pride, blindness, and greed are the real abyss. Taking over Morton Group might not have been a good thing after all."