The Bound Between Us

Chapter 913

Anastasia was scared-no, she was flat-out panicking.

If something happened to her, fine. But if something happened to Herman? She couldn't take that. Lately, she'd been keeping her distance, not just out of nerves, but because she'd been feeling oddly itchy, a constant irritation that wouldn't quit no matter how hard she scratched.

She was terrified she'd caught something-something bad.

Lost and desperate, she blurted, "Come on, let's go get cleaned up."

She reached for his hand, but the second she remembered what she might have, she pulled back, guilt and fear twisting inside her.

Herman caught every bit of it-the fear, the anxious edge, the way she shrank away. He felt like his heart was being squeezed in a vice. His girl was trapped in this whirlwind of panic and pain. That smile she managed earlier? It was just a flicker, a trick of the light.

He'd do anything to make that smile last.

“Anastasia,” he said, his voice gentle and steady, hands resting on her shoulders, "listen to me. We're married. We're in this together. Don't push me away."

He pressed his forehead to hers, grounding her, trying to slow her racing thoughts.

"Let's stop torturing ourselves, okay? Life's short. How many years do we even get together? Three, five, ten, twenty... Eventually, we'll both be old, and if we miss out now, we'll never get that time back." He tried to pull her into a hug, but the ridiculous orange mascot costume he was still wearing got in the way.

Anastasia shook her head, tears streaming down. "Herman, you big dummy, what if you catch something from me? I'm... dirty..."

said softly, cutting her off. "You took some pills, remember? You can't even be sure what really happened. Maybe nothing happened at

in that cave, had no idea what had actually happened. All he could do was try to give her something to hold onto, something to ease

Anastasia's heart. She wanted

was just

what she was feeling, there was no way nothing

get the words out. "I...

voice soft as

The house was still and quiet. Outside, the night sky was scattered with stars, calm and

gentle smile tugged

see you again. I thought it was over. I had so many regrets. I hadn't loved you enough, hadn't shown you the world, hadn't gotten to grow old with you, hadn't watched our

so calm, but Anastasia could hear the weight behind his words.

ever talked about what he went through during that disaster -how close he'd come

eyes blurred with

I'd never get to hold you again. Anastasia, when it comes down to it, nothing really matters except life and death. Everything

hard. She'd been through life and death herself, and

close to the edge, all you want is to live. Just being alive is the biggest

really

then at Herman, and realized how lucky

had-people could