The Bound Between Us

Anastasia's face turned bright red, her heart thudding in her chest. She could feel the difference—every beat a little harder, a little faster.

"Herman," she said, half-laughing, half-exasperated. Even though she knew he wasn't feeling great, she couldn't help but tease him. "If you really don't feel well, you have to tell me. And if something's weighing on you, you have to say it out loud, okay? Babe, I don't want us sharing a bed but drifting apart in our hearts. And I don't want silly misunderstandings to steal years from us."

She pressed herself against his chest. Usually, words like these were tough for her to get out.

The room was quiet, the two of them just lying there together. She could hear his heartbeat, strong and steady, and she let herself enjoy the calm.

Herman took her hand and kissed it, his eyes crinkling with a soft smile. "It's nothing. I'm just a little worn out, that's all."

He pulled her closer, his gaze dropping to the floor, deep in thought. "Ana, I'm just going to close my eyes for a bit."

"...Alright." Anastasia knew he was keeping something from her, but if he didn't want to talk, she wasn't going to force it.

He'd just had a vasectomy that morning, and the whole thing had left him exhausted. With Anastasia in his arms, sleep came quickly.

It was the middle of the day, but Anastasia wasn't sleepy at all. When she was sure he was out cold, she gently slipped away.

she'd just have

his desk drawers one by one. She wasn't sure exactly what she was looking for—just that her gut told her Herman was hiding

in, she found it: the

mind spinning with a million questions. Why would he do

would he hide it

morning-that explained why he'd looked a

take it easy-there could be pain, risk

started googling everything about vasectomies: risks, side

why Herman would go

make sense of it, her phone buzzed. It was her dad, Tavon, and he

seeing. I told you he was just after her money, and she actually believed him! Can you

it?"

Apparently, Tavon had taken

Salma-hermom-to the hospital,

her boyfriend Adam comforting his sick son. Tavon guessed Adam had cozied up to Salma just to get money for

stormed out. Tavon, proud of himself, called Anastasia to gloat about how