The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Hank made a beeline for Gigi and Jack's place. Gigi wouldn't just go there for no reason, especially with the fallout between her and Jack. It wasn't a walk down memory lane. That left only one possibility: Patty was in that apartment.

Davey swung the car around, racing back to the neighborhood they had just left.

Meanwhile, Gigi, having managed to lose Hank, still couldn't relax. She knew she was being watched, and it was only a matter of time before everything unraveled.

Feeling disconnected from the world, Gigi headed home. Her mom, Susan, was in the kitchen, simmering a stew. Seeing her daughter, she smiled, "Hey sweetie, you're back. Take a breather; dinner's almost ready. I've got your favorite lobster too. Why not give your dad a ring, see when he's getting home?"

Susan had stocked up on all of Gigi's favorites.

Watching her mom bustling around, Gigi felt a lump in her throat and managed to say, "Sure."

But she didn't call her dad, Doug.

"Check out these strawberries, fresh and sweet," Susan said, handing some to Gigi with a smile. "Go ahead, they're great for your skin."

Gigi had always loved fruits, considering them essential for beauty. Her house was never without fresh, imported goodies.

"Okay." Gigi took a strawberry, feeling the weight of what was coming. She feared such warmth might soon be just a memory.

As she ate, Doug came home, carrying Gigi's favorite snacks.

With dinner ready, the family gathered around the table. Gigi pulled out a bank card from her purse, saying, "Mom, Dad, here's the money from the café sale, plus what I saved and what I got from Jack. It's two million. The PIN is the last six digits of the card number. Also, the money from the house sale is here-two hundred and forty thousand. With your pensions, spend wisely, and it should cover your retirement."

Seeing Gigi lay everything out, Susan and Doug exchanged worried looks.

"What's going on, Gigi?" Susan asked.

Doug added, "Is something wrong? You're our only child. Don't do anything drastic."

Doug was afraid Gigi might be considering something drastic.

Gigi shook her head, glancing around their home. "This place, 1500 square feet in Riverdale, could fetch a million. If you ever run out of money, sell it and find a nice retirement home. That should do."

Her tone was eerily like she was tying up loose ends.

Susan clutched Gigi's hand. "Sweetheart, you're scaring us. What's happening? Did the police really track it to you?"

Doug, clueless, asked, "What thing? What are you keeping from me?"

Gigi nodded. "Hank found me. It's only a matter of time before he finds Patty, and then the police will come for me. I won't be able to take care of you in your old age. If I'm not around, you need to look after yourselves." "Patty?" Doug was shocked. "You mean, you took Patty? Gigi, is that true?"

With nothing left to hide, Gigi nodded. "Yes."

"How could you be so reckless?" Doug stood up, his face flushed with anger. "Where's the child? Return her now. We'll go with you to turn yourself in, try to get a reduced sentence."

"We can't send our daughter to jail," Susan protested, blocking him. "What kind of father would send his own daughter away?"

"Honey, while the police haven't caught up yet, you need to leave. I'll pack your things. I'll go abroad with you," Susan insisted, holding Gigi's hand tightly.