The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

The mention of abortion pills made Katie's face go as white as a ghost; she couldn't even think about taking them.

"Ma'am... Mrs. Salstrom," Katie stuttered, "Are you sure about this? An abortion pill for Miss Anastasia? She's pregnant, this... this can't be right."

Katie's words were all over the place. She couldn't wrap her head around why Grannie Anita would want to get rid of a potential Salstrom heir. That was her great-grandchild, after all.

Grannie Anita spoke with authority, "Take it. This pill is meant to get rid of the baby Anastasia is carrying, which isn't a Salstrom. Katie, you've been with us for years, have I ever treated you unfairly? Now I'm asking you to do this for me, to get rid of the child Anastasia's carrying. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

Grannie Anita had sneaked back from the countryside just to get rid of the child in Anastasia's womb.

"No, no, no..." Katie waved her hands, panic written all over her face, "Mrs. Salstrom, why? That's your great-grandchild. How could you even think of doing this?"

"The child in Anastasia's belly isn't a Salstrom," Grannie Anita said with a heavy heart, "Katie, this is a family disgrace. We can't let Anastasia give birth to that child in our family. If that happens, we lose everything. The vast Salstrom fortune would end up with outsiders." Katie was dumbfounded. "Miss Anastasia cheated?"

"Absolutely, I had it investigated myself," Grannie Anita confirmed. "Katie, because of Anastasia, my grandson has distanced himself from me. She won't trust anything I give her. I need you to make sure she takes this pill without her knowing. It's a secret between us." "Mrs. Salstrom, I can't do this. This... this isn't right," Katie was terrified. Even if the child wasn't a Salstrom, she couldn't go against her conscience.

Grannie Anita grabbed Katie's hand firmly, pushing the pill into her palm. Her weary eyes bored into Katie's. "Katie, if you do this for me, I'll give you $300,000. Think about your daughter, your husband."noveldrama

Katie was taken aback. How did Grannie Anita know about her financial troubles?

Katie couldn't process the complexity of the situation. Faced with Grannie Anita's pressure and temptation, her resolve began to waver.

"Mrs. Salstrom, that's a child, a human life. I can't do it. If your grandson finds out, he'll kill me." Fear made Katie hesitate. "Miss Anastasia's betrayal can be explained to your grandson. There's no need to take a life."

"If Herman would listen to me, do you think I'd resort to this?" Grannie Anita tightened her grip on Katie's hand. "I'll give you a day to think it over. If you agree, and once it's done, I'll give you another $300,000. As long as you're discreet, no one will find out. It's your choice: help me get rid of this mistake, or let your daughter suffer. Take the pill with you."

With that, Grannie Anita stood up and left. She had to get back to the countryside before anyone figured out she was in Riverdale.

After Grannie Anita left, Katie clutched the abortion pill, her heart racing. She had never done anything so wrong before, and she didn't know if she could start now.

But when she thought about her own problems, and Grannie Anita's words, Katie felt torn.

Katie didn't throw away the pill; instead, she returned home with a heavy heart.

As soon as she stepped inside, she heard Anastasia's voice from upstairs.

"Katie, where have you been?"

Feeling guilty, Katie stammered, "I... I went out to buy some things."

Anastasia held out a bottle. "Katie, this is ointment for bruises. It's great for improving blood circulation. I noticed you had a bruise on your back."

Katie looked at the bottle in Anastasia's hand, guilt gnawing at her.

"Thank you, Miss Anastasia." Katie hesitated before reaching out to take the bottle. In doing so, she accidentally dropped the abortion pill Grannie Anita had given her. It rolled to a stop at Anastasia's feet. Katie's heart leapt into her throat.