The Bound Between Us

Her pleas felt like a knife straight through Herman's chest.

Swallowing his bitterness, he walked over and set the bowl of bird's nest soup

gently on the nightstand.

You spend enough time in the dark, and eventually your eyes adjust—you start to

see everything.

Herman sat at the edge of the bed, his voice soft and gentle. "Honey, try to eat a

little, okay?"

Anastasia looked at him, and before she could even speak, tears poured down

her face.

She shook her head, struggling to keep it together. But when Herman's hand

reached for her forehead, she flinched, instinctively pulling back, her eyes wide

with fear. "Don't—don't touch me."

His hand froze in the air, his pupils contracting.

He swallowed, the pain sharp and jagged, like swallowing shards of glass.

Holding himself back, Herman lowered his hand and tried to make himself smaller,

afraid of scaring her even more.

"I'll just leave it here, alright? And the medicine too, it's right here. I'll be over on

the couch if you need anything. Just call me, okay?"

His voice was so quiet—almost pleading.

He still couldn't shake the memory of finding her by the roadside, the surge of

rage that made him want to tear apart whoever had hurt her.

Herman backed away and sat on the sofa. Anastasia leaned against the

headboard, slowly letting herself relax.

the bed, one on the couch, the night

If only

like that,

finally broke

All of it.

edge. Joy and heartbreak tangled inside

now, of all

break down in

cry, couldn't let

know when the tears on her face had dried.

stretch on forever.

tongue, impossible

swallow.

we... we..." Her voice broke as she covered her

shoulders.

could feel her pain, could guess the words she couldn't bring herself

He wanted to go to her—he even half-stood—but then sat back

too scared of being

change the

canceled Pattie's birthday party.

have another one for her

Emmie and

two are quick

at Salstrom Manor

who's still up

Your dad..."

drew

the air slicing

night, after I left

got in a cab...

what happened

I was in a

There were four men..."

strangely calm, but under

dug into her

After

Herman,

she felt completely drained, like all the strength had left

heart, her