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.

I'm the one who owes this young man. He still came to help me, and I'm already grateful. Son—Mr. Salstrom, I'm sorry

envelope with Sandy's agreement inside. "Take this. It's enough

face. "Mr. Salstrom, you're not mad at me? I helped Miss Sandy trick

that his real son was probably dead. He just

Herman replied, voice cool but not unkind. "Take care of

nurse to look after Nicholas and left

long as no one said it out loud, there was still a scrap of hope-something to

is gone, that's when

call from the police. "Is this Nicholas? Sir, we found your son's remains. We need you to come in and identify him..."

one call wiped out whatever hope Nicholas had

fell out of bed, tore open

died in his sleep-quietly, slipping away

grief turns to utter hopelessness, sometimes all that's

there to handle the funeral. The hospital

down Nicholas's only living

wants to do that for a relative they haven't

hung up. But as soon as he found out Nicholas had left behind three hundred thousand in savings, he rushed over, put on a big show of weeping, and acted like the world's most devoted

you're ready to

word about Nicholas's death. He wrapped up his business in a day and caught the

tell Anastasia anything, and instead of heading to Salstrom Manor, he