The Bound Between Us

Chapter 883

Herman had no idea someone had been following Anastasia. She hadn't

mentioned it-figured, why worry him if nothing happened? But now it had slipped

out, and there was no point hiding it.

She came clean. "On my way home from work this afternoon, someone was

following me..."

She gave him the short version, then quickly added, "I'm fine. The guy's name

was Ben, I think-he was pretty clueless. Total rookie move. He's at the police

station now."

Anastasia knew Herman would worry, so she made sure he understood she

hadn't been hurt.

When Herman heard about the close call, his stomach twisted. "If people are

going that far, whatever's on that chip must be important."

He didn't dare shrug it off. He grabbed his laptop and tried to crack the chip, but

after two tries, no luck.

It was seriously encrypted.

If even Herman couldn't break in, that was saying something. Nelson had always

called him a computer genius. If this stumped him, they were in trouble.

"This thing's a hot potato," Anastasia said, her tone all business. "No idea where

need to get rid of it

blurted out, "I haven't heard from Rowan

Anastasia zeroed in, raising

hesitated, coughed awkwardly into his fist. "Um, I've run into Rowan

times. He's... he's been following you, too.

been worried Rowan might have bad intentions, but he'd

wouldn't actually hurt Anastasia. Still, every

pang

he following me for?" Anastasia wondered aloud. Even as she said

what Melody

almost been trapped, it was Rowan who'd shown up

to the hospital. She owed him for that. That's why she'd agreed to hold on

in the

fell silent. After a moment, Herman broke the quiet. "Go get

keep working

and

to fix Herman a cup of ginseng tea. On her

into Salma, her mother-in-law, just coming

called. "You're by yourself? Where's

was stormy. "Don't even

her head down and started upstairs. She'd just

after her, "Ana, I'm moving

to my old

Anastasia stopped short, stunned.

you can't. Your

and

back

something's bothering

And what about the

miss them!"

Salma

weren't for her

after everything