The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

You better keep an eye on her."

"Why'd she swipe the cigarette butts?" Anastasia furrowed her brows, and the housekeeper chimed in again, "Miss, I hate to pry, but I think your Aunt Cindy's up to no good. Caught her claiming she was helping with the cleaning, but she was right by that pricey ashtray. That ashtray was indeed a luxury, one Herm had mentioned cost a small fortune.

Anastasia couldn't understand why the wealthy would waste money on something as trivial as a fancy ashtray.

"Alright, got it," Anastasia replied, "Carry on with your work."

The thought of Aunt Cindy stealing trinkets didn't sit right with Anastasia.

With her wedding to Herm on the horizon, she figured Aunt Cindy was probably feeling a bit left out, but she couldn't predict what kind of trouble might follow.

Anastasia headed upstairs, not giving much thought to why Cindy was pocketing cigarette butts.

...

Back in the living room, Cindy was looking for Pattie when she saw her following James to the therapy room and decided to tag along.

After his medicinal soak, Tavon dressed and lay in bed while Salma massaged his legs and tended to his joints with meticulous care.

James left some instructions and handed Pattie a chart of pressure points, "Get familiar with it, and if there's a word you don't know, just ask. I need to mix up a few more remedies for your grandpa."

"Sure thing, Master," Pattie nodded, "I'll study hard."

Once James left, Salma took a break to give Tavon a drink through a straw.

Pattie took the opportunity to diligently study the chart by her side.

"Pattie, stick with Dr. James; he's been a godsend for your grandpa's condition," Salma encouraged.

"Grams, I know," Pattie, with a heart full of care, urged, "Take a break, don't overdo it."

"What's with Tavon, how'd he end up paralyzed?" Aunt Cindy blurted out as she entered, her bluntness unstifled.

Up until then, Cindy hadn't been aware of Tavon's stroke, nor had she shown any concern-her focus was on how to acquire a sample.

"A heart attack led to the stroke," Salma explained, "His limbs aren't as stiff anymore, and Dr. James believes he'll be up and about before long."

"Sis, if you ask me, you shouldn't bother. He ditched you when he was young, and now you're nursing him through a stroke? That's no kind of justice," Cindy scoffed, "It's Tavon's own doing. He's got a wife and kids; why drag him back here?" Tavon, speechless, glared at Cindy. What was she doing, meddling in affairs that weren't her business?

"He's still Ana's father at the end of the day. If we can cure him, we should," Salma insisted.

"And if he's cured, he's going to marry you?" Cindy mocked, "Oh right, the Morton family's got a decent nest egg. He planning on sharing that wealth with you and Anastasia?"

"The Morton estate is something Ana and I relinquished," Salma clarified.

Pattie, not fond of Cindy, took her leave upon her arrival.noveldrama

Cindy, keeping an eye on Pattie's movements, soon found an excuse to follow, "Sis, you stay busy, I'm off to the powder room."

With that, Cindy hastened after Pattie.

Pattie, chart in hand, sat on the living room floor engrossed in study when Cindy approached, "Pattie, what's that you're looking at? A young lady like you shouldn't be poring over such things, it's indecent and corrupting. You'll get styes in your eyes." "It's from my master; it won't give me styes. I'm learning," Pattie retorted.

"Young lady, don't talk back to your elders. No respect, a real wild child with no manners," Cindy snapped, noting the resemblance between Pattie and Herm, and worrying about the truth in Gianna's words.

Cindy's gaze landed on Pattie's hair, and seeing her preoccupied with the chart, she looked around quickly, saw no one, and snatched a lock of hair.

"Ow, that hurts!" Pattie yelped in pain.