The Bound Between Us

Chapter 935

It was Herman's scent-there was no mistaking it.

After so much time together, Anastasia noticed it right away, even in the dark. She reached out for the light, but before she could flip the switch, the room suddenly shimmered to life.

Tiny lights, like scattered stars, twinkled overhead—a sea of fairy lights strung across the ceiling, mimicking a galaxy just for them.

Anastasia looked up in surprise, warmth blooming quietly in her heart. Before she could say anything, strong arms slid around her waist from behind, pulling her close into that familiar embrace.

It was Herman. His warmth, his breath-he surrounded her, his presence wrapping around her like a favorite blanket. The heat of his breath brushed her neck, sending a ripple of shivers down her spine.

Leaning back against his chest, Anastasia nudged him, teasing, "You really treat me like a little kid sometimes, you know? Trying to cheer me up with something this... childish. I can't believe you actually thought of this."

First it was the silly plush orange, and now the starry lights-Herman really wanted to give her every kind of romance.

He smiled, lips brushing her ear. "I heard there's a butterfly migration in Yunnan Valley-millions of them, all at once. It's supposed to be breathtaking. Want to go? Or we could chase the northern lights, look for fireflies, see glaciers... Wherever you want, I'll go with you. As far as you want."

These were the kinds of things Anastasia used to read about in novels-fairytale romance she never dared to dream of. In real life, most grand gestures came with a price tag.

But Herman? He didn't have to worry about money.

He could give her all the adventures she wanted.

Whenever the city felt too loud and crowded, they could slip away-find wildflowers on a mountain, watch snow fall on a glacier, let the world slow down for just the two of them.

Anastasia turned in his arms, looping her hands around his neck, breathing in his scent like she couldn't get enough.

how much she wanted to be

to hold him, to tangle up

as he still

pressing a tentative kiss to his lips-testing, careful, unsure if he'd pull

didn't. Instead, Herman deepened the kiss, his warmth and love pulling her out of

themselves in each other, letting their

him, his handsome face haloed

***

crept in with

of kids giggling and playing in the

let me play with the truck!" Emmie's

way, trucks are for boys," Nancy retorted, ever the little

voice floated through, gentle but firm: "Nancy, play nice

still closed, wrapped in a

even leaving bed-the two little troublemakers running wild, Herman trying to

she heard him call,

thundering down

of Pattie, their

threw

from ear to ear. "Morning, gorgeous. Looks

a look. "Please. That wasn't all sleep, and you

"Emmie and Nancy heard Pattie was up and bolted. Now

was true those two loved hiding, yelling out hints so Pattie could find them, or cramming behind the curtains with