The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia's words made Herman's eyes flicker, his hand holding the chopsticks frozen mid-air.

He looked up at her, meeting her icy gaze, and his heart ached.

Taking a deep breath, Herman said, "Anastasia, let's eat first."noveldrama

Anastasia could see his struggle and pain. She didn't want to push him, but she just couldn't help it.

She averted her eyes, not taking the chopsticks from Herman's hand, and instead picked up a new pair for herself.

As Anastasia ate, tears fell into her meal. She swallowed her food along with her tears.

The tears tasted bitter and salty.

Anastasia ate in silence, not leaving a single bit, even when she was full. She kept eating, punishing herself, hoping that eating more would make her feel better faster.

She had no idea how heartbreaking this was for Herman to watch.

Herman poured her a glass of water and said, "Take a walk after eating. Don't lie down right away; it's not good for your health."

His voice was careful, almost as if he was afraid of upsetting her.

Anastasia didn't say anything, just drank her water and walked around the room a few times.

Herman wanted to support her, but her icy gaze stopped him.

Stubbornly, Anastasia walked by herself. When she got tired, she sat down and asked, "When can I leave the hospital?"

Herman quickly replied, "The doctor said you can leave next week."

"Thanks." Anastasia's reply was polite but distant. Then she lay back on the bed, turned on her side, and closed her eyes to rest.

The oppressive atmosphere made Herman feel like he couldn't breathe. He cleaned up the meal tray and went outside to smoke a cigarette.

As the sky darkened, Katelyn arrived at the hospital with Flynn, bringing homemade chicken soup.

Seeing the haggard Herman, Katelyn said with concern, "Son, you've been here for days now. Tonight, go home and get a good night's sleep, change your clothes. Look at yourself, you're a mess." Flynn also suggested, "Bro, let Mom stay with Anastasia tonight, and you go rest. Look at the redness in your eyes. If you keep this up, you'll be the one collapsing when Anastasia gets discharged." Herman put out his cigarette, his voice crisp, "Alright."

He gave Katelyn instructions on the medication Anastasia needed, said a word to Anastasia, and then left the hospital with Flynn.

As Flynn drove, he glanced at Herman, who looked terrible, and said, "Bro, I don't know how to comfort you, but I hope you and Anastasia can get through this."

Herman suddenly said, "Let's go to Neon Dreams."

"Why are we going to Neon Dreams, bro? You need to rest after being in the hospital for days," Flynn replied.

Herman looked out the window, his eyes deep, and said, "Just come have a few drinks with me."

Only alcohol could numb the pain and help him forget.

Understanding, Flynn took Herman to Neon Dreams and ordered a table full of drinks.

The suppressed pain in Herman's chest was released under the influence of alcohol.

By the end, Herman was crying into his beer, shocking Flynn.

His big brother, always the one shielding him from the storm, was crying in front of him like a helpless child.

Flynn awkwardly called out, "Bro."

The news of Anastasia's miscarriage had cast a shadow over the entire Salstrom family.

Herman put a beer in front of Flynn and said, "Drink."

"Bro, I'll drink with you." Flynn picked up the beer and downed it in one go.

Herman looked at him, picked up a beer himself, and drank it all at once.

Under the dim light, Herman tilted his head back, the beer going down his throat, but his sorrows and pain didn't lessen.

Staring at the ceiling lights, drinking his beer, tears streamed down his face.

Since Anastasia's incident, Granny Anita had been staying with the Salstrom family. The shock had made her fall ill, and she was now under Feiman's care to prevent Herman from confronting her.

At the Salstrom Manor, Granny Anita regretted that the child was a Salstrom. She felt regretful and pained.

Granny Anita often beat her chest in remorse. She wasn't sorry or sympathetic for Anastasia, nor did she think she had wronged her.

That night, Granny Anita was moaning in her bed, beating her chest. Feiman came in with her medication and asked, "Mom, what are you doing?"

"Oh, my son, it was a boy, a boy," Granny Anita lamented. "It was Herman's child."