The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

In a world where abandoned babies were a rarity, finding a newborn in a trash bin near Southridge Estates was a shocker. Herman leaned over the crib, eyeing the baby with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Looks like he's fresh out of the oven," he muttered. Flynn had just rushed in with news that Julie was about to give birth, and now Anastasia had stumbled upon an orphaned child. Herman couldn't help but suspect something. If this was Julie's baby, why would it be dumped near the Salstrom family's estate? Julie hated the Salstroms; she wouldn't return their kin out of kindness.

To be safe, Herman told the nanny to take the baby downstairs and pulled Anastasia aside. "This kid's arrival is fishy. Let's figure out who he is before we get attached. I'll call Joseph over."

Anastasia caught on quickly. "You think this could be Julie and Joseph's son? It seems too far-fetched. Why would Julie drop her baby in a trash bin?"

"Considering the timing, it's possible," Herman replied softly. "If this is Joseph's boy, he can take him. I'm not raising someone else's kid."

The thought that the baby could be Julie and Joseph's filled Anastasia with mixed emotions. Her own child was gone, while Julie's son had arrived safely. It was hard not to feel a bit bitter.

She had been trying so hard to conceive again, but nothing. It felt like fate was mocking her, dangling happiness just out of reach.

Deep down, Anastasia hoped the child wasn't Julie's. She couldn't bring herself to care for her enemy's baby.

Herman sent Dailey to fetch Joseph, who at first thought it was a joke. But when he saw the baby, he paused, glancing from the child to Herman. "Are you saying this is my kid? Julie's kid? What's he doing at your place?"noveldrama

Herman's face was a mask of indifference. "Anastasia found him. We'll know if he's yours after a paternity test. I've sped up the process. Results will be back in three hours. If Julie's been unfaithful, that's another story." Joseph chuckled dismissively. "Considering how often I've cheated, it'd be quite the twist if she had."

During the wait at Southridge Estates, Joseph stayed put, though not without complaint. Babies were demanding, crying for food, needing diaper changes. He watched, feeling overwhelmed by it all.

Anastasia couldn't bear to see the tiny baby neglected. She was the one who tended to his cries, who fed him when he was hungry.

Joseph griped, "What's with kids? They do nothing but eat and cry."

"That's what babies do," Anastasia replied, handing him a bottle of formula. "You might be the father. Feeding him is your responsibility." He stepped back. "I'd rather not. Too fragile. I'm afraid I might break him."

Anastasia quipped, "Is sowing your wild oats all you're good for?"

Joseph's arrogant laugh echoed in the room. "That's all a man needs to be good at, isn't it, Herman? And yet, with all your trying, still no luck?" The jab hit too close to home, and Herman, in a rare moment of raw emotion, flung his shoe at Joseph. "If you've got nothing nice to say, zip it." Joseph dodged, startled by Herman's crude retaliation.

At that moment, Flynn walked in, catching the tail end of Herman's outburst and wondering if his eyes were deceiving him. Since when did Herman act so wild?

James arrived with the test results. "You owe me extra for this, Herman. I'm practically your personal doctor now."

Herman, shoeless, stood up to receive the documents. A glance at the results confirmed his suspicions. He picked up the child and handed him to Joseph. "Take your son and get out." The sequence of events was swift, decisive, and without hesitation. Herman Salstrom wasn't one to dither.