The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

This time, Anastasia didn't let Herman get his way.

She slipped off him and straightened her clothes. "I've got a design draft to finish, and the deadline's coming up fast."

Anastasia hadn't given up on her passion for jewelry design-in fact, she'd started her own brand. Since Herman came back, she'd gradually pulled out of Elysian Technologies, diving back into her own work and happily playing the supportive partner at home.

Herman backed her against the hallway wall, pressing close. He brushed a kiss against her earlobe. "You can turn it in tomorrow. No one's going to mind."

His lips trailed from her mouth to her neck and down to her collarbone...

“Nope,” Anastasia laughed, slipping out of his grasp. "Alright, enough. Go check Pattie's homework, will you? I'll be in the study. And honestly, you need to show a little restraint. Don't overdo it, or you'll wear yourself out before your time."

She hadn't given in to him—not just because of the deadline, but because Herman had been a bit much lately.

These days, he clung to her whenever he got a chance, like he couldn't stand to let her out of his sight. She could tell there was something weighing on him. When he touched her lately, it felt almost desperate, like he was trying to work something out of his system.

She wondered if it was about Sandy. Anastasia had a gut feeling Sandy was a ticking time bomb between them.

For now, she didn't want to bring it up or get tangled in any drama. She just wanted to keep her home peaceful.

Anastasia headed to the study, but her mind wouldn't settle. Designing was impossible.

She popped open a bottle of red wine, poured herself a glass, and tried to coax some inspiration.

Halfway through her sketch, her pencil snapped. Sighing, she opened a drawer for another-and her eyes landed on the little plastic box Rowan had given her.

She picked it up and flipped it open, staring at the chip inside.

She hadn't asked anyone to look into it, and Rowan was impossible to reach. He'd been in such a hurry when he handed it over that it still left her uneasy.

Rejected, Herman stormed off to the gym to blow off some steam. He worked the punching bag hard, sweat running down his chest, muscles burning.

James wandered in, whistling and carrying a cup of goji berry tea. "Hey, it's the middle of the night! Shouldn't you be in bed with your wife, not beating up a punching bag? You

look like a guy with unsolyt te

business."

Herman shot him a glare and landed a couple more punches.

"Something up?" he grunted.

"Yeah, actually." James sipped his tea. "You should take care of yourself. After twenty-five, a man's got to watch his health. You know what they say there are only overworked bulls, never barren fields—"

Herman cut him off with a sharp look, and James got the message. "Alright, alright. Down to business I've started Pattie on some new medication for her throat. There's been some improvement, but if you

want her to actually speak she'll

need surgery. It's a big risk, though-they'd have to operate on her vocal cords."

If James called something risky, it meant it was really risky.

Herman's brow furrowed. "If she skips the surgery and just sticks with the meds,

any chance she'll recover?"noveldrama

James shook his head. "No. Surgery's the only shot."

No surgery, and Pattie would never speak. With surgery, she might not make it.

Herman felt trapped. "Don't tell Anastasia yet."

James nodded. "Got it. One more thing."

Herman wiped sweat from his forehead, voice low. "Next time, say everything at once."

James didn't hesitate. "Anastasia's

health needs watching. After her car accident and that miscarriage, it's a miracle she had Emmie and Nancy at all. It put a ton of strain on her body. Even the best medicine can't undo all the damage childbirth causes. So, take it easy with her. No rough stuff-especially nothing that'll hurt her back. And you, go easy too. Don't push yourself."

As a doctor, James was blunt as ever.

Herman just stared.

If James weren't his doctor, he'd think the guy was just messing with him—and

he'd have tossed him out like a sandbag.