The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Overall, dinner was actually pretty enjoyable.

When it wrapped up, Adam got a phone call that left him looking rattled. He barely said goodbye before hurrying off, and Salma didn't try to stop him—they just went their separate ways outside the restaurant.

Watching him go, Anastasia had a hunch: Adam's rush probably had something to do with his sick son.

After he left, Anastasia turned to her mom. "Mom, you should just keep an eye on him, okay?"

Salma looked confused. "What's wrong, Ana? Don't you like Adam? He seems like a good guy to me."

"Does he know you're Geneva-the CEO of Elysian Technologies?"

"Nope," Salma said, nodding firmly. "I've never mentioned it. Ana, I get your concerns. I never tell anyone about being part of the Salstrom family when I'm out and about. It saves me a lot of trouble. Adam definitely doesn't know."

Anastasia wasn't buying it. She had a feeling Adam probably knew more than he let on.

Salma caught on. "Ana, you think Adam's after my money? Don't worry about that. What do I even make, just some spending cash? He has his own pension, his own kids. It's not like he needs anything from me."

Anastasia hesitated for a second. "His son's really sick-needs a liver transplant. The surgery costs at least half a million. His daughter-in-law ran off and left three grandkids behind. Mom, did you know any of this?"

Salma's eyes widened. "He never said a word!"

"Just think about it. His son's that sick, but he's out here taking you to dinner? Doesn't that seem a little... off?"

Anastasia just wanted her mom to reflect on Adam's intentions.

But Salma frowned. "Ana, is it just because Adam's family isn't rich? Don't forget, we started out with nothing too. We've struggled plenty."

Anastasia was speechless. She suddenly thought about calling her brother Tavon he was the only one who could really shake things up. If her mom and Adam could survive Tavon's meddling, then maybe they really were meant for each other. She wouldn't stand in the way. But if her mom wised up, that'd be even better.

"Mom, you've got it wrong. I think Adam's fine. I just think you could get to know him better, that's all." Anastasia quickly changed the subject. "I'm heading to Monica's place. Want me to call you a car?"

"I'll get my own," Salma said, sounding a little miffed. "Go, enjoy yourself at Monica's."

Anastasia just sighed there was no getting through to her mom tonight.

Salma grabbed a cab home, while Anastasia headed to Monica's beauty salon. In the cab, she scrolled through Tik Tok and caught a short video: a couple who'd spent ten years together in a big city, only to break up over a box of expensive cherries.

The guy said his girlfriend didn't “deserve” such a luxury-they were saving for a house, for rent, for a baby. He called her materialistic for wanting cherries.

Anastasia watched the video, then flipped through the comments.

Almost everyone wrote, "Guess I'm buying my girlfriend two pounds

cherries tonight!" or "Ten year of

together and you're still counting pennies? Who wants a life like that?"

After a minute, Anastasia felt a sudden urge and texted her boyfriend, Herman:

"Can you bring home some cherries for me?"

Herman replied within seconds: "Of course."

Seeing his answer, Anastasia

couldn't help but smile. She realized she was being a little childish, asking him to prove his love with

something so small. But honestly, it felt good-she loved that he always responded.

But, as always, someone had to rain on her parade.

Sandy texted again: "Hey, about those messages before-I was totally drunk and lost control. Please don't take it to heart. There's really nothing between me and Herman."

The more Sandy tried to explain, the guiltier she sounded.

Anastasia just rolled her eyes and blocked Sandy. No drama, no time.

Almost at Monica's, traffic got stuck. The driver needed to turn around, so Anastasia hopped out at the corner to walk the rest of the way.

That's when she spotted Alisa.noveldrama

Alisa was in a work uniform-turns out, she'd switched jobs and now worked at the neighboring salon. Right then, Malia was dragging her aside and yelling at her in front of crowd. She even took a swing at Alisa.

Alisa shoved her away. "Try hitting me again and see what happens." "Oh, got some backbone now?" Malia sneered. "Dressing up every day like you're looking for trouble. You just can't wait to betray my son, can you? Shameless."

"Your son's been dead for years," Alisa shot back. "You want me to stay a widow for the rest of my life?"

They were both red-faced and shouting. Malia grabbed Alisa's arm. "If you'd just treated Will better, he wouldn't have gotten sick. This is all your fault!"

Alisa glared at her. "Why not blame your family's bad luck? Will got cancer- what's that got to do with me?"

Anastasia was about to keep walking, but that line made her stop short. Will died of cancer?

She'd always heard from Monica that Will died taking a bullet for Jason.