The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Hank pulled open the car door and said, "Hop in. I'll have someone pick up your car later."

With Hank around, Anna didn't bother arguing. She got into the car and commented, "Isn't this weather weird? It just started pouring out of nowhere." "The forecast did mention storms today," Hank replied as he settled into the driver's seat and folded his umbrella. "Did you drop off the gift for Monica?" "Yeah, I did," Anna said. "I only asked Monica to be my bridesmaid. Do you think I need another one to keep it even?"noveldrama

"No rush on that. I can round up a couple of friends if needed," Hank started the car and continued, "Don't worry about the wedding details. Your job is to be in high spirits and be the stunning bride you're meant to be."

Anna gave him a sidelong glance, studying him for a moment. "You seem preoccupied."

After all this time together, Anna could tell when something was on Hank's mind.

"Is it still about that factory incident last week?" she asked.

"It's not that," Hank replied, not wanting to burden Anna with outside troubles. "I'm just thinking about how to make our wedding something you'll truly love."

Anna reached for his hand. "Hank, I've never needed anything lavish or extravagant. What I want is simple: to share every meal, every season with you. Do you know how your kindness gives me the courage to face everything? I often think, with someone as wonderful as you, any leap of faith is worth it."

Hank smiled and kissed the back of her hand. "Thanks for the praise, my future wife."

He was aware of her recent unease. Anna had her moments of doubt.

...

After Cynthia took the sample, she rushed it off for testing.

The results wouldn't be back immediately, and Gianna waited anxiously each day, praying she was wrong, hoping her suspicions were misplaced. Three days later, the results were in.

Gianna's heart sank as she read them.

Cynthia snatched the paper to see for herself. "That girl really is Hank's biological daughter? How is that even possible? This is just too melodramatic!"

"Yeah, way too melodramatic," Gianna echoed in disbelief. "Anna doesn't even remember who the guy was. I asked her, and she had no clue. How could it be Hank? Her luck is just too good."

"If only we'd known, you could've adopted Patty back then," Cynthia lamented. "When your aunt came to me, she wanted us to take in Patty. You were childless at the time. Had you adopted her, you would've been Patty's foster mother, one step closer to Hank." "A foster mother can never replace a biological one. Anna is Patty's real mom. What good would my adopting her do?" Gianna bit her lip, then said with resolve, "Mom, not a word of this to anyone. We must keep it under wraps. Anna's got enough luck as it is; I won't let her have the satisfaction of a perfect ending."

Cynthia's eyes also held envy as she assured, "Don't worry, I won't spill. To the Salstroms, Patty is just Anna's illegitimate daughter with some other man. It's bound to cause issues sooner or later. We'll just wait and see."

A sneer crossed Gianna's face. "No man doesn't want kids. If he doesn't now, he will eventually. Joey was the perfect example."

Speaking of Joey, Cynthia added, "The police notified us about your case with Joey. The trial starts next week. The Edmunds haven't shown their faces, and with Joey paralyzed, he can't fight you. We're sure to win, and then they'll throw the book at him." "Someone like him, he's just a waste of space if he isn't put out of his misery," Gianna said through clenched teeth. "And Dora, the home-wrecker who ruined my marriage with Joey, she won't get off easy either."

"Exactly, it's all that mistress's fault," Cynthia agreed, then asked, "Are you going to keep that paternity report?"

Gianna tore it up, but then, still worried, she asked, "Mom, are you absolutely sure no one knew when you took the sample last time?"