The Bound Between Us

Chapter 464

Anastasia forced a small smile. "Mom, you're overthinking it. Just go home. Patty needs you more right now. I'm fine, really."

But how could she possibly be fine? She was supposed to have two more months, but at five months, the baby was gone. The pain in Anastasia's heart was something no one else could understand. Salma thought about Patty and knew Anastasia wouldn't leave her little sister alone. So she decided not to press further.

"Alright, I'll head home then. I'll come back tomorrow," Salma said. "I'll bring Patty along to pick you up from the hospital."

Anastasia's lips curled slightly. "Okay, Mom, could you make some of your famous dumplings for tomorrow?"

It was the first time Anastasia had smiled since the miscarriage.

Salma felt a wave of relief, thinking Anastasia was beginning to move forward. Her eyes welled up with tears as she said, "Of course, I'll make you dumplings tomorrow."

"Okay." Anastasia leaned back against the headboard, a faint smile lingering as she watched her mom leave.

Salma felt much better and said her goodbyes to Herman before leaving.

Once Salma had gone, Herman entered the room. He sat by the bed, unsure of what to say. Anastasia didn't seem keen on talking either, so they sat in silence.

Anastasia caught the scent of alcohol on Herman. "You've been drinking again?"

It wasn't the first time. After returning with his friend Flynn, Herman had gotten drunk. The next day when he came to the hospital, Anastasia had smelled the alcohol but hadn't mentioned it. Herman was surprised when Anastasia spoke to him. He quickly responded, "Just a little... I had a few drinks with Flynn."

wouldn't drink again, but his anxiety had driven him to

her gaze distant. "That's

Herman began hesitantly, "Do you want to

"I want to go for

had been cooped up in the

"Of course," he said enthusiastically, "I'll find a wheelchair and we can

wind. He then carefully lifted her into the wheelchair and pushed her around the hospital's small

by so fast. We've known each other for over a year now. A year ago, I couldn't have imagined that we would be married." Herman slowly pushed the wheelchair around the park, his voice warm. "Once you're feeling better, we'll have all the time in the world. I promised we'd go on a honeymoon. We'll go see the

Northern Lights?" Anastasia said. "I've only seen pictures of them.

know you're hurting. Just because you're talking to me doesn't mean you've forgiven me. I know what you're thinking, and I'm sorry for not being able to save our baby. Once you're discharged, let's take Patty and go live abroad for a while. Just the three of us.

to forget her sorrow was to leave the place where it

Flynn to take over the company while he took a

their trusted colleague Feiman, Herman was confident that Elysian Technologies would still

Herman realized that nothing was more important than the

Herman's hand tightly. "Herman," she choked out, "I don't regret marrying you. You've been good to Patty and to me. I love you, and I want

she spoke, tears streamed down Anastasia's face, and she leaned in to kiss

had openly admitted to him that she loved

deepened the kiss. His only wish was for her to find happiness again, no matter

a warm glow over them as they kissed, the falling leaves creating a

the first time since the incident, Herman was able to sleep next to Anastasia. They spoke late into the night, and eventually, exhaustion took over and Herman drifted off