The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia had figured Herman would just swing by the store and grab a couple pounds of cherries. She never expected him to come home with a bouquet made entirely of cherries-each one glossy and deep red, arranged with a care that made her smile the second she saw it.

It was her first time receiving a cherry bouquet, and honestly, it beat flowers by a mile. Flowers were pretty, sure, but they couldn't double as dessert.

She ran her fingers over the cherries, savoring the sweet, fresh scent, then turned to head upstairs to find Herman. Just then, Pattie barreled in from outside, looking like she'd been through a tornado-dirt on her shoes, hair a mess, cheeks

flushed.

Anastasia took one look and didn't even have to ask. "Another fight?" she said, half-amused.

Pattie just grinned, dressed in a pink tracksuit and brimming with energy. She mimed a few jabs in the air, her expression more than a little cocky.

Ever since she'd started training with Dailey, Pattie's arms and legs had gotten stronger, and she carried herself with a confidence that made Anastasia relax a little. It was clear Pattie was no longer someone to be pushed around.

Layna, Pattie's usual sparring partner, was tough too. Even when she ended up on the losing side, she never called in the cavalry. The Stranz family, in general, kept their distance from the Salstroms. As long as the Salstroms didn't pick a fight, that was good enough.

Except Layna's aunt, Juliana—she was a different story.

At the Stranz family home, Juliana nearly had a meltdown when Layna limped through the door, bruised and sulking.

"Oh, Layna, was it that mute girl again?" she fretted, fussing over her niece.

Layna winced but wasn't about to back down. "Aunt Juliana, just wait. One day, I'll have Paradise eating out of my hand. You'll see."

Juliana beamed. "Now that's ambition! You're learning piano, German, French, English-you're going to be the Wisman family's daughter-in-law someday, living the high life."

Layna groaned. "All that studying gives me a headache. Just looking at a textbook makes me want to nap. Why bother? I'm a Stranz. I'll never want for money. Let those bookworms ace their tests-they'll be working for me one day. I'll just hire smart people. Why drive myself crazy?"

Juliana stroked her hair with a satisfied smile. "You're so clever. Only people without options think studying is the only way out. You're the pride of the Stranz family—anything you want, you'll have."

Layna cheered up and snuggled into Juliana's arms. "You're the best, Aunt Juliana. You're just like a real mom to me."

Juliana's heart melted. "Why not just call me Mom?"

Layna saw her chance and chirped, "Okay, Mom!" hugging her tight.

Juliana was over the moon. "See? With Mom by your side, nobody's going to mess with you."

Juliana had no children of her own, and Layna knew exactly how to get on her good side. Maybe that's why, in the years that followed, Juliana would spoil Layna rotten-covering up for her, letting her get away with everything from cheating on tests to faking her grades.

Layna figured as long as she had money and the right last name, she'd end up marrying Justin and living the good life. Schoolwork? Not her problem. Her only real focus was finding new ways to make Pattie's life difficult.

Back at the Salstroms':

Pattie came home from her "adventure," scrubbed up, and dove straight into her homework.

Whenever Herman wasn't tied up with work, he'd have Pattie nearby, letting her absorb bits and pieces about the business. Both he and Anastasia spoke several languages, and when the tutor wasn't there, they'd teach her themselves.

Pattie still couldn't speak, but she was a great listener. She could understand simple conversations in two languages, even if she didn't talk back.

Anastasia brought a bowl of cherries into the study. Herman was at his computer, and Pattie was hunched over her books-the whole room buzzing with quiet focus.

"Look at you two, hard at work," Anastasia teased. "Pattie, since you're being such a star student, you get the biggest cherry."

She handed it over, and Pattie's face lit up as she took a bite. Delicious. So sweet. She nudged the bowl toward her parents, insisting they share.

Herman leaned back, clearly angling for some attention. Anastasia caught on right away. She picked out a perfect cherry and held it up to his lips.

He took a bite, grinning mischievously as he brushed his teeth against her fingers.

Anastasia turned pink, quickly

checking if Pattie noticed (she

Vl

hadn't) Relieved, she shot Herman a look and said to Pattie, "You should get some sleep soon, sweetheart."

Pattie shook her head, stubborn as ever: Not yet. Homework's not finished. Dad says never put off today's work till tomorrow.

Herman was strict about school. He'd let Pattie get away with just about anything -except slacking off on her studies.

"Pattie, you're getting so responsible," Anastasia praised. "Keep it up."

Just as she finished, Herman stood and took her hand. "Pattie, leave your

homework on the desk when you're done. I'll check it in a bit."

He led Anastasia out into the hallway.

She glanced at him, puzzled. "Where are we going?"

He swept her up in his arms, his voice low and teasing in her ear. "Didn't you just

say I've got some homework of my own to do?"noveldrama

Anastasia's cheeks flamed.

That was definitely not the kind of homework she'd meant.