The Bound Between Us

Anastasia wouldn't let Herman sleep beside her. No matter how hard she tried,

she just couldn't accept herself—not after everything. She felt dirty, tainted in a

way that couldn't be washed away.

She didn't want to drag him down with her.

She forced herself to eat the food Herman brought, picking at it in silence, before

burrowing back under the covers. She didn't want to see anyone. She didn't want

to talk. She sent everyone away, needing to be alone.

As for those four men who died—she felt nothing. They deserved it. That was all.

A while later, Anastasia got up and wandered into the bathroom. She undressed

and caught sight of the bruises scattered across her skin. The memories crashed

over her, threatening to break her.

She bit her lip, ran a bath as hot as she could stand, and slid into the water. She

scrubbed at her skin until it turned red and raw, but she couldn't feel anything. Not

pain, not relief.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get clean. She was too filthy.

Anastasia started to cry, silent tears slipping down her cheeks and dripping into

the bath, disappearing without a trace.

Blood began to trickle, swirling into the water and tinting it red.

Something about that color—so bright, so final—made her heart race. A strange,

desperate smile flickered on her lips.

she opened a drawer, took out

slipped the blade free.

cut, and she wouldn't have to face

eyes, lifting the blade to her

hammered on the door. Herman's voice cut

Anastasia, what

in!"

even when she pushed

rightly so.

from inside, and panic took over.

force

the door swung open

there, wrapped tight in a towel, her face blank.

There's no need to

was Herman's voice—his fear—that pulled her back

brushed past him, heading for the closet and

clothes.

bathroom. The razor blade

the tub was

to end

nearly dropped him to his knees. He rushed

her wrist and

washed over him. If he hadn't come in

think about it.

pulled her into

a complete loss.

billion-dollar deals without flinching,

idea of losing

couldn't breathe.

still have me. And

leave us.

with you." His

held

over.

was his greatest