The Bound Between Us

Chapter 825

Nicholas broke down like a little kid who'd just been scolded, sniffling and sobbing so loudly that everyone else in the hospital room jumped in surprise.

Herman, never one for emotional displays, didn't try to comfort him. He just yanked a tissue from the box, handed it over, and said, "I got a settlement from Sandy for you. You'll be fine, money-wise. This is the last time I'll visit."

If it weren't for Nicholas's obvious fatherly love, Herman wouldn't have bothered showing up at all.

He'd already gone above and beyond for Nicholas-honestly, he'd been more generous than anyone could expect.

The old Herman wouldn't have cared if a stranger lived or died, let alone someone who'd lied to him.

Maybe it was the memory loss. Maybe it was the way Nicholas had stuck by him during those lost months. Whatever the reason, Nicholas had gotten under his skin.

Nicholas stared at Herman, stunned, shame and sorrow in his eyes. He wanted to call him "son," but the word just wouldn't come he knew, deep down, the man in front of him wasn't his boy.

A woman visiting her father-in-law in the next bed overheard and couldn't hold back. "What's wrong with you? Your dad's in this shape and you're just walking away? Where's your conscience? He raised you, and this is how you repay him? Ungrateful—shame on you!"

Nicholas panicked when he heard Herman being scolded. "No, no, don't blame him! It's not his fault, he-"

Tears streaked down Nicholas's wrinkled cheeks as he looked at Herman, forcing the words out: "He's not my son."

The woman didn't buy it for a second. She figured Nicholas was just covering for him. "Oh please, Uncle Nick, don't stick up for him. Someone needs to set him straight. He can't just walk out on his own father!"

Herman didn't react-just stood there, calm and quiet.

not my son. My son... he's probably gone. I'm the one who owes this young man. He still came to help me, and I'm

already know," Herman said, handing Nicholas an envelope with Sandy's agreement inside. "Take this. It's enough

his face. "Mr. Salstrom, you're not

for a while that his real son was probably dead. He just couldn't

the past," Herman replied, voice cool but not unkind.

to look after Nicholas and

there was

once hope is gone, that's when people give

Nicholas got a call from the police. "Is this Nicholas? Sir, we found your son's

one call wiped out

down completely, fell out of bed, tore open his wounds, and the pain knocked

slipping away

sometimes all that's left is letting

was there to handle the funeral. The

down Nicholas's only living relative—a

care of a funeral is a grim job. Who wants to do

three hundred thousand in savings, he rushed over, put on a big show of

ready to be disappointed,

death. He wrapped up his business in a day and caught the next train

anything, and instead of heading to Salstrom Manor, he went straight