The Bound Between Us

Chapter 823

Sandy always felt a knot in her stomach whenever she was alone with Herman. Now, with just the two of them left in the office, she had no idea what he might do.

Herman's face was unreadable as he crossed the room and sat down on the sofa. He tapped his finger on the table, a signal more than an invitation. "Sit. We need to talk."

"...Alright." Sandy perched nervously on the edge of a chair, her posture stiff. "Did you remember everything?"

Herman didn't bother answering. He went straight to the point. "I had someone look into things. George is dead. Nicholas was back in his hometown, scraping by as a sanitation worker. You were the one who called him here and gave him hope again. The two of you spun an enormous lie together. You used Nicholas's longing for his son. And now, after all that, he's lost a leg. His life is changed forever."

Herman knew Nicholas had lied, too, but his reasons were different. At the end of the day, Nicholas was just a desperate father.

During those weeks Nicholas cared for him, he had shown nothing but kindness- treating Herman as if he really were his own child. That was the only reason Herman bothered to make sure Nicholas would be alright.

Sandy understood what Herman was getting at it surprised her, honestly, that Herman could feel any sympathy for someone who'd deceived him.

chance, Sandy softened immediately. "Don't worry, I've already found Nicholas a place in a good nursing home. I paid for ten years up front. He'll have

was a lie, but saying it

table. "Read

to pay Nicholas three

at Herman, the old name slipping out by

Sandy quickly corrected herself. "Sorry-Herman. Paying Nicholas isn't a problem. This was my reckless idea. Nicholas got

me. He worked for our family for years; he deserves

paused, then looked at him with soft, pleading eyes. "Herman, you must know why I did all this. I was too naïve. I liked you. I wanted to keep you close. I've spent most of my life in

But the truth was, she liked him for his looks, his success, and because he was Anastasia's husband. If

tried to bury her selfishness under a confession of love, hoping it would calm

drugged his tea-well, Sean had been the one who drank

would cave. They'd enjoy the flattery and the