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.

one knew how much she

to hold him, to tangle up with him, and forget about what

as he

kiss to his lips-testing, careful, unsure if he'd pull away or...

didn't. Instead, Herman deepened the kiss, his warmth

"stars," they lost themselves in each other,

up at him, his handsome face haloed

***

crept in with

the sounds of kids

me play with the truck!" Emmie's sweet voice

Nancy

floated through, gentle but firm: "Nancy, play nice and share with your

wrapped

two little troublemakers running wild, Herman trying to play referee probably at his

she heard him call, "Hey, your big sister's

sets of little feet thundering down the hall,

of Pattie, their big sister-a healthy respect, she

Anastasia threw

ear to ear.

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

Pattie was up and bolted. Now she's chasing them. Hide-and-seek is their

hints so Pattie could find them, or cramming behind the curtains with their heads