The Bound Between Us

Herman was always the distant type. Cold, reserved—never letting anyone get

close, except Anastasia. With her, he showed a softness that almost didn't seem

possible. But everyone else? He kept his walls up, his gaze cool and detached,

almost like he couldn't care less.

He'd wanted to let Sandy off easy.

But Sandy just wouldn't listen. She had to go and stir up trouble with Anastasia.

That was it. She'd crossed a line she shouldn't have touched.

Sandy saw the flicker of danger in Herman's eyes and tried to pry his fingers off

her wrist. His grip was like iron—she couldn't even make him flinch.

Giving up, Sandy stopped fighting and just looked up at him, her eyes big and

innocent, tears glistening in the corners. She'd always known how to play the

helpless victim—red-rimmed eyes, trembling lips, the picture of pure, sweet

vulnerability. The kind of girl any guy would want to protect, the kind that made

hearts ache.

It always worked. Always—except with Herman.

He let go of her wrist, looking at her like she was something he'd just scraped off

his shoe. His voice was colder than ice. "What did you say to her?"

Sandy coughed, forcing a few tears down her cheeks, trying to look as pitiful as

she could. "I was only here as a guest, I didn't know I'd run into Anastasia. She

me about what happened back

a word. I apologized, told her nothing

me. She even slapped me.

sure he saw her cheek, red from the supposed

flat and hard. He didn't

probably deserved it," he

a napkin, like her touch had left

cut deeper than any

he really despise

the table, voice shaking.

they really that awful for you? Am I that much

embarrassment?"

their dignity and thinks a little

just pathetic." Herman's voice was calm, cold.

if you weren't Anastasia, you didn't

confidence cracked. She felt exposed, like he could see right

hidden thought laid

a chance. You wasted

turned and walked away, not

first

pushed him

after him, heels

marble floor. "Herman,

I didn't

to tell! Anastasia

me.

my whole life—you can't destroy

I once

cut her off, voice icy. "I warned you. And believe me,

better than you think."

Sandy was to see if it really was her

drove Anastasia away.

And now he knew.

froze, then forced