The Bound Between Us

James's words lingered with Herman.

From that day on, he really did keep his distance from Anastasia. He even asked the housekeeper to make sure she got extra nourishing meals-chicken soup, slow-cooked stews, homemade desserts-anything to help her regain her strength.

For the next two weeks, Herman didn't touch Anastasia at all. The change had her feeling anxious and uneasy.

Had she hurt his pride with her earlier refusal?

Though Herman no longer made any moves, he still pulled her close every night when they slept. Anastasia was puzzled. She wanted to ask what was wrong, but the words got stuck in her throat. Instead, she tried to show affection in little ways, hoping he'd respond.

But every time she reached out, Herman gently moved her hand away. "Let's get some sleep. It's late," he said.

The rejection felt like being doused with icy water.

Ever since Herman's memory loss, the only time they truly felt close was in their most private moments. Now, even that connection was gone. It felt like the bridge between them had quietly vanished.

Their relationship slipped back to polite small talk and courteous smiles-like they were just two people living under the same roof, not husband and wife.

Herman quietly wondered if there was something going on between Anastasia and Rowan. Anastasia, meanwhile, worried if Herman had feelings for Sandy.

they did, would

still showed his love in small, thoughtful ways, but Anastasia's anxious heart no longer noticed. She had no idea that all the tonics and

Anastasia. Plus, with Pattie's recent health scare, he was already stretched

to notice the subtle shift between them. Anastasia spent her days

in town, throwing himself into the middle of Salma and Adam's drama, and Anastasia

birthday was coming up fast, and Katelyn had nearly

eight-layer birthday cake from a famous pastry chef. Each layer had a different theme and flavor chocolate, lemon, strawberry, pistachio, you name it. The cake cost

as she finished the cake order, Katelyn got a call from Autumn inviting her

mahjong, so she'd learned how to play just for this reason to get closer to her. While most people tried to curry

and when they were

steered the conversation to the hotel incident. "So, Katelyn, whatever happened with that situation with your daughter-in-law?

a misunderstanding," Katelyn replied

something like that

what she has.

an eye

it off. "Autumn, don't worry. Ana and my son are