The Bound Between Us

Chapter 985

As an outsider, Anastasia knew it wasn't really her place to give relationship advice. All she wanted was for Monica not to shortchange herself—she hoped Monica could just live a little and not let things get her down.

Monica nodded. "I'll talk to him when he gets back to me."

"And what about that resignation talk from before? Any news?" Anastasia asked.

"Mr. Taylor means the world to him, and his parents absolutely refuse to let him quit. If Jason left the force just because of Alisa, it'd be such a waste. Being a cop has always been his dream," Monica said. "I should support him in that. Besides, if he quit now, what would he even do?"

Monica didn't want Jason to feel pressured to make a huge sacrifice for their relationship. Being a police officer was his calling-a real act of selflessness. How could she let love get in the way of that? If she asked him to quit, she'd never forgive herself.

Anastasia got it. "Why not take a little trip? Or find something new to focus on? Don't let your whole world revolve around a guy. You'll drive yourself nuts."

Monica laughed. "Trust me, I'm not that obsessed."

But the moment she left the hospital, Monica couldn't stop herself from calling Jason.

He was out on a call, phone on silent, completely unaware. Monica tried a few times, but no answer. Frustrated, she went back to the salon, turned down Abby's dinner invite, and just lay around in her office, alone with her thoughts.

As evening settled in, Monica's mom called. She assumed it was about dinner. She picked up, half-distracted. "Mom, Jason's busy-guess we'll skip dinner tonight-"

to come to the hospital. Your dad's hurt. The doctor says... they might have to take his leg." Abby's voice broke into

in her chair. "Mom, don't cry!

to keep her mom calm, Monica grabbed her keys

Chase, had fallen into a recycling machine at work. If a coworker hadn't pulled him out in time, he could've lost more than just

That morning, everything had been normal-they'd even planned to have dinner together. By afternoon, disaster

to

pick up. Monica felt

crying, "Ana, my dad's

Hope Hospital, outside the operating room, Abby sat anxiously wiping away

over. "Mom,

surgery. The doctors said... they can't save his

after, Jackson and Anastasia showed

was no small thing.

it; it was the only way to save

comfort her mom. Jackson just sat

how devastated

didn't know what to say. She just stayed close and textedo Herman, asking him to keep an eye on Pattie and let her know she'd be late coming

hospital.