The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 915

Tavon had finally let it all go. The money he’d stashed away over the years was more than enough for him to get by.

When Morton Group landed in Sean and Sandy’s hands, Tavon knew it was only a matter of time before the whole thing fell apart. Sandy had pushed her luck one too many times—now that Morton Group had crashed, Tavon figured she’d brought it on herself.

He hadn’t called home, not even once. Truth was, Tavon had always been a selfish, cold-hearted guy. He didn’t miss his old house in Willowbrook at all.

As he stepped out of the study, he ran into Salma coming in from outside.

“Salma,” he said, flashing a sheepish grin. “Out early. Where’d you go?”

“That’s none of your business,” Salma snapped, not bothering to hide her annoyance. “How long are you planning to stick around here, anyway?”

She just couldn’t figure out why Tavon wouldn’t go back to Willowbrook.

“I’m settling down here,” Tavon said. “Bought myself an apartment—right across the street from your place in Riverdale. Figured when we’re old and can barely walk, at least we can keep an eye on each other.”

Salma stared at him, caught completely off guard. “Tavon, what’s that supposed to mean?”

He let out a sigh and gave a half-smile. “Just feels like the old days were pointless. I want to try something new.”

With that, Tavon walked away, leaving Salma standing there, puzzled.

Not that she cared enough to chase after him. She went to look for Anastasia instead.

—

Anastasia headed to the lab to find James.

James was busy with some research when she showed up, and he looked up, surprised. “Hey, Anastasia. Something up?”

She hesitated. “I just wanted to thank you. Herman told me—if it hadn’t been for you that night, I don’t think I could’ve gotten through it. I should’ve come by sooner to say this. Sorry.”

James paused, pulled off his gloves, and cleaned his hands with a splash of sanitizer. “Is there something else?”

Anastasia was being unusually polite today—a little too polite.

She fidgeted. “No, that’s all.”

She’d been feeling off, wanted James to check if she had some kind of illness, but the words just wouldn’t come out.

“Alright, I’ll let you get back to your work,” she said quickly, making for the door.

Honestly, last night, watching Herman dance in that silly orange costume, her resolve had already begun to melt.

You don’t find a Herman every lifetime. How could she walk away?

—

Anastasia left the lab, got in her car, and drove off. She didn’t say a word to Herman, just quietly made her way to the hospital for a check-up.

Halfway there, her stomach started acting up, so she pulled over and waited it out.

When the pain eased a bit, she spotted a little coffee shop nearby. She got out, grabbed a hot coffee, hoping it’d help settle things.

Just as she was about to get back in her car, she saw Caterina step out of a cab, holding Daria. They hurried into the Starbucks next door, looking anxious.

Anastasia thought Caterina might need help and was about to call out—but then she saw Autumn walking over, smiling as she took Daria from Caterina.

On instinct, Anastasia ducked down behind her car, not wanting to be seen.

Why would Caterina be bringing Daria to see Autumn? There’s no way that was just a coincidence.