The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Hank could barely contain his excitement as he accepted the friend request from someone with the username "Scalpel." Creepy name, sure, but he'd seen stranger. They were officially connected now.

Jason leaned over and gave Hank a quick rundown. "Don't message him first. Wait until he texts you. You're supposed to be a woman right now-remember, this is about making money. Just focus on playing your part and don't worry about whether or not it's actually Harry. We can't risk you slipping up."

"Relax, Jason. I've been memorizing all those scripts you gave me. Trust me, men know men. I can handle these guys-piece of cake." Hank's confidence was obvious.

He and Jason had worked together on scams like this before. They knew each other's rhythm, and had gotten pretty good at it.

Jason took a sip of his drink, then added, "If he asks you out tonight, don't go. Not yet."

Hank grinned. "Got it-play hard to get."

Jason smirked. “That's right. And see if you can get him to up the price."

Their chat was interrupted by a new message from "Scalpel." It popped up: "Hey gorgeous, up late tonight? Feeling lonely? Need some company?"

That was Harry, alright. He'd been watching the "RabbitsLoveSalad" account for a while, and now he was biting.

Step one: get close. Step two: lure her out. Harry's intentions were darker than anyone realized.

Hank fired back with a voice message, using an app that made him sound like a sultry woman: "Oh, honey, I'm not that easy."

...

While Jason was busy running his scam, Herman was working the other end- digging into Ben's death, pulling at every loose thread he could find.

Southridge Estates.

Herman was in his study, long fingers flying over the keyboard as lines of code scrolled across his screen.

He hacked into the system with practiced ease. Suddenly, Ben's entire digital life was right there in front of him.

He'd looked into Ben's background before, but this time, Herman was using his own software, sweeping the internet for any and all info connected to Ben.

It didn't just gather data—it analyzed it, too.

By tracking which apps Ben used most and how often, Herman pieced together Ben's daily routine and his hobbies.

After sifting through everything, Herman finally caught a break.

Ben had died suddenly. He was a tea drinker, hated coffee, and almost never went farther than ten miles from home.

But three months ago, Ben had gone

to a place called "The Ridge

Café" twice, even though it was

over twenty miles away and he wasn't even supposed to have caffeine.

Herman had spotted the café visits in Ben's bank statements.

Why would Ben go to "The Ridge Café" twice, if he hated coffee and couldn't drink

it anyway?

Herman called Dailey. "Tomorrow, can you check out The Ridge Café on

Northfield Road? See what you can find..."

When he finally shut his computer, it was past 1 a.m.

He got up and walked past Anastasia's room, pausing at her door. As expected, it was locked.

Since the incident, she hadn't slept

P.n

in the same bed with him. After coming back from Salstrom Manor she'd gone so far as to insist on separate rooms. At this point, Ke wasn't even allowed to sleep on the couch, let alone touch her

Anastasia had been strong-for the kids, for Salma, for him, for her friends, for everyone. She chose to carry on.

But she couldn't bring herself to be close to Herman. She pushed him away, almost waiting for him to give up and leave. Her silent treatment was her armor.

Herman understood. He didn't try to force a conversation. After everything they'd been through, he trusted that their bond would fast. All

he could do was give her space, hoping time would heal things.

He still treated her with the same tenderness as before, even if they didn't share a bed. No matter how distant she became, he kept showing up for her.

Herman stood quietly outside her door for a moment, then went to his own room. But Anastasia wasn't sleeping. She stood behind her locked door, listening to his footsteps fade down the hallway.

She knew exactly what time he finished work every night. She knew how long he lingered at her door. She could almost sense what he was thinking.

When his footsteps were gone, she slid down the wall, hugging her knees, feeling completely alone.

Herman had always been reserved. It was only after meeting her that he started talking more, smiling more he was softer with her than he'd ever been with anyone.noveldrama

She remembered the time in jail after she was accused of killing Grannie Anita, how Herman had visited her, how he'd even stabbed himself to save her life.

Tears filled Anastasia's eyes. She wiped her cheeks, surprised to find them already wet.