The Bound Between Us

Chapter 941

Rowan saw the happiness shining in Anastasia's eyes, and in that moment, he understood no matter how hard he tried, he would never be the person she looked at that way.

When Herman was in trouble, all hope drained from Anastasia's face, leaving only emptiness and despair. Every bit of emotion she had seemed to revolve around Herman alone.

He remembered her sitting in the town square, waiting for Herman in front of everyone, her determination clear for all to see. That kind of devotion-well, a man could consider himself lucky to have a woman like that in his life.

"Get some rest," Anastasia said, offering Rowan a gentle smile before nodding and turning to leave.

But before she could walk away, Rowan called out, "That night-you weren't hurt." Anastasia spun around, disbelief written all over her face. "What did you say?"

Rowan met her gaze, steady and honest. "That night, nothing happened to you. I was on my way to the party to find you, to get the chip back. I saw you get in a taxi, but something felt off, so I followed. The cab kept driving further out, and that's when I knew something was wrong. When I reached the old cave, I found them about to hurt you. They'd drugged you, and you were completely out of it. I tried to wake you, but you couldn't hear me. I just kept telling you to run..."

He laid out everything that happened that night, sparing no detail. He knew he loved Anastasia, but he also knew he couldn't protect her the way she deserved. The least he could do was lift some of the burden from her heart.

If only he hadn't lost sight of the cab-maybe the photos never would have been taken. Maybe he could have saved her sooner.

But in the end, he got there. He saved her.

When Rowan finished, tears streamed down Anastasia's cheeks, but this time, they were tears of joy.

at the waist in a deep

saving me. Thank

her face glowing. "Rowan, I'm really

gave Rowan a quick, heartfelt hug-the closest they'd ever

Thank you

was just gratitude, he couldn't help but feel a rush of

caught the scent of her hair, soft and sweet,

felt full, then suddenly

his wounds pull, but the pain was nothing compared to the

on the bed, stiff and silent, reliving the

as he was, it all

with excitement. "Herman, that night in the cave-nothing happened. Rowan told me, he got there in time. I wasn't hurt. I'm not... dirty,

set her free. The weight she'd

voice and breathed a sigh of relief for her. He had never blamed her, but he knew how much it mattered to

she could finally

coming to pick you up, sweetheart.

see Rowan smiling-actually smiling. She stopped in