The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia Jewell couldn't resist dropping the bombshell with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

She was testing the waters, curious to see how Julie Brown would react to the mention of Grandma Anita's passing.

At the mention of Grandma Anita, a flicker of guilt and dread flashed through Julie's eyes-a telltale sign of a secret teetering on the brink of exposure.

Recalling her cousin Devin's advice, Julie steadied her nerves and retorted, "I've had dreams, you know. I dreamt of Grandma Anita, restless in her grave, lamenting how her killer walks free. You're the murderer, Anastasia. You belong in the fiery pits, keeping her company."

Julie was a master of disguise, her face a mask that betrayed nothing, even under Anastasia's scrutinizing gaze.

Anastasia leaned in closer, her voice laced with a calculated chill. She thought of Jason and the lack of progress in the case, and decided it was time to rattle the snake before her.

"Yeah, Grandma Anita sure didn't rest in peace," she taunted. "Who would've thought she'd die at the hands of the person she trusted the most? Right, Ms. Brown?" Julie's facade cracked at that.

Her face went ghostly pale as she stumbled backward, eyes wide with shock. Anastasia's words had hit too close to home, stirring the guilt that Julie harbored within. This time, Anastasia caught every flicker of emotion across Julie's face, a wave of triumph washing over her. If Julie was rattled, then the suspicions were likely true.

Anastasia seized Julie's hand, her gaze piercing. "Ms. Brown, what are you scared of? You look sick. You'd better take care of yourself, especially with a baby on the way. Wouldn't want to wake up one morning to another loss, now would we?"

Even without concrete evidence, Anastasia's instincts told her that Julie's past manipulations around Grandma Anita weren't innocent. And Anastasia had no qualms about pushing those buttons.

With every word, Anastasia seemed to stomp on Julie's tail, leaving her desperate to escape the confrontation.

"I-I don't understand what you're saying," Julie stammered, pulling away and feigning composure. "Rest assured, I'll bring my child into this world safely. Not everyone gets what's coming to them like you, Anastasia." Anastasia's response was a cold, mocking smile. "How magnanimous of you, Ms. Brown."

Julie could no longer stand being in Anastasia's presence, her piercing eyes too much to bear. She left the dessert untouched and fled.noveldrama

Watching her retreat, Anastasia called out, "If you don't want people to know, don't do it."

The meaning behind those words resonated deeply.

Julie quickened her pace, eager to leave.

After she was gone, Anastasia texted Jason: "The snake you've been watching? I gave it a startle."

Jason sighed upon reading her message. Anastasia was never one to hold back, but sometimes a little shake-up was necessary.

Later that afternoon, after buying a cake, Anastasia picked up little Pattie from daycare and headed to the restaurant Cynthia had reserved for her birthday a modest celebration with two tables of guests in a private room.

As Anastasia arrived, the mood shifted palpably. Her reputation as an accused murderer preceded her, and Cynthia's relative didn't hesitate to confront her: "Cynthia, why do you still associate with her? She's a murderer, aren't you afraid of the trouble she might bring?" Anastasia had seen these faces before when she was Mrs. Salstrom. Back then, they'd sought her favor, but now they kept their distance. Her downfall was too great, and her ties to the Salstroms too damning.

But Anastasia, who had weathered the storm of prison, was unfazed by their whispers and stares.

She approached Cynthia with Pattie in tow, presenting the cake with a smile. "Aunt Cindy, happy birthday! May you grow younger and healthier with each passing year."

Pattie, though not fond of Cynthia, dutifully wished her a happy birthday.

"Thank you," Cynthia replied with a painted-on smile, then casually inquired about Anastasia's mother.

"She's not off work yet, but she'll be here soon," Anastasia assured her.

Gianna Edmunds, tired of being paraded around by relatives, called Anastasia over to sit with her.

As soon as Anastasia joined her, the relative who had been busy matchmaking for Gianna excused herself.

The children in the room played noisily, but Pattie remained quiet, aloof from the others.

Chatting with Gianna, Anastasia asked, "Was that your aunt trying to set you up just now?"

Gianna chuckled, "A widow attracts gossip like a magnet. Ever since my divorce, matchmakers have been practically knocking down my door."

Anastasia tossed the question casually, "Didn't you mention the last time that there was someone you fancied? How are things going with that guy from Montgomery? It's been a while, and you promised to introduce us, yet we've never seen hide nor hair of him." "No dice," Gianna replied with an honesty that didn't mask her disappointment. She knew where Herman stood, and it spelled a dead end.

Anastasia didn't bother to probe further. She sat back, cracking open sunflower seeds, sharing some fruit with Pattie, contentedly awaiting dinner. She was in a surprisingly good mood.

Even when whispered gossip fluttered about the private dining room, she chose to turn a deaf ear.

This composure earned Gianna's silent respect. She had asked Cynthia to invite Anastasia and her kin to dine with them, hoping to give Anastasia a taste of being the subject of gossip, to cushion the blow of the humiliation she had faced at Herman's hands the night before.

Yet Anastasia acted as though she hadn't a care in the world.

Gianna furrowed her brow, then stood up, saying, "I'm off to the ladies' room for a bit, Anastasia. You just sit tight and relax."

"Mhm," Anastasia replied nonchalantly, still busy with her seeds.

But as Gianna rose, a group of rowdy kids in the room knocked her purse from the chair, spilling its contents much like the incident in the car before. Among the items that tumbled out was the handkerchief Herman had given to Gianna.

Even though it had been cut and sewn back together, altered beyond its original state, Anastasia recognized it instantly. It was Herman's handkerchief, unmistakable with the embroidered 'F' in one corner - Herman's distinct mark. Anastasia's eyes darkened as she picked up the handkerchief, her gaze piercing Gianna, "Whose handkerchief is this?"

Her tone was icy, her suspicion confirmed - this was Herman's belonging.

Why would Gianna keep Herman's things?

Why mend it after cutting it up?

Why hide it from her last time?

There was only one explanation - Gianna was guilty; she had fallen for Herman.

Gianna panicked, at a loss for words. Friends and family glanced over, puzzled by the commotion. Cynthia approached, asking, "What's all this about? It's just a handkerchief, what's the big deal?"

Anastasia's gaze remained frosty as she demanded an answer from Gianna, "I'll ask you one more time, whose handkerchief is this, and how did it end up with you?"