The Bound Between Us

Chapter 1031

Rowan took care of Asher's funeral. When he finally made his way back to the clinic, it was as if nothing had changed.

Hanna was busy with a feverish little boy, calmly telling his anxious parents, "Only give him this medicine if his temperature goes over 101.3. Use a warm washcloth to help cool him down-physical cooling works best..."

The ordinary, everyday routine felt surreal to Rowan. He sank onto a bench, half- tempted to light a cigarette, but thought better of it-there were still patients around.

Hanna hadn't stopped all day. The flu was everywhere, and the clinic was packed with sick kids.

Rowan just sat there, quietly watching Hanna move through the room, a strange tangle of feelings in his chest he couldn't quite name.

Asher was gone. Riley had stayed to help, but left Riverdale soon after.

Now it was just Hanna and Rowan. For the first time in so many years, Rowan really looked at her—and realized she'd always been there.

He used to hope Anastasia might look back at him, but every time he turned around, it was Hanna he saw, always steady, always beside him.

Anastasia once told him to cherish the person right in front of him. If Anastasia was a light in his life, then Hanna was spring itself-bringing warmth and new beginnings just by showing up.

When the last patient had left, Rowan's eyes found Hanna. "Snow," he said, using her nickname, “let's take a trip to Sunlit River. Get out of here for a bit."

Hanna was organizing paperwork, but she'd been aware of Rowan since he walked in.

She stopped, keeping her voice steady as she faced away from him. "Can you really leave all this behind?"

and

River are beautiful.

voice gentle but distant as she focused on her work. "Flu season's rough; there are so many sick kids right now. I'm their doctor-they come first. Asher's gone, Rowan. You're free now. Don't do anything stupid, don't go chasing revenge. Life's hard enough for everyone don't

was speaking to him,

someone like

wanted to live well. Last night, she decided to treat what happened like a dog bite-painful, but not worth ruining her life

seen so much life and death as a doctor,

you should just let yourself

so calm, it

last night I finally understood how much pain Anastasia went through. If she could survive so can. It's not like it's the old days I'm not going to punish myself for someone else's cruelty. Why should I throw away my life for that?"

him a minute to

Hanna shrugged. "I'm fine. Why are you so

ימ.

all these years

yourself. Go.

something new." s

He stood up.

door, he paused and

thank y

over the years. There's a gift in your

appy met