The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

After a year of recuperating from her kidney transplant, Sandy had bounced back stronger than ever. She radiated health, her beauty more striking than before.

Despite her full recovery, Sandy kept a low profile. She spent her days buried in books and seeking mentorship in management, fortifying her skills. She became the brains behind her brother Sean, who had inherited the family business, the Morton Group. Sean wasn't exactly cut out for business, but as the only male heir, it was his duty to lead.

While it seemed like Sean was in charge, it was actually Sandy pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Every decision and strategy passed through her before Sean acted on it.

In just two months at the helm, Sean had made some notable strides, earning the respect of some of the company's old-timers.

Their mother, Ashley, watched her daughter with a mix of relief and pride. Her son might have been a disappointment, but her daughter was a true star, wise beyond her years.

"Sandy, why did you invite them in? They're clearly here to see your father. What if they find out..." Ashley's voice was filled with confusion and concern.

"Mom, it's only natural for them to want to see Dad. We can't turn away family at the door," Sandy gently interrupted, then turned to the housekeeper. "Mrs. Miller, could you please show them in?"

"Of course, Miss Sandy," Mrs. Miller replied, moving to welcome the guests.

Ashley was still puzzled. "Sandy, what are you playing at? How can you call that woman 'sister'? She doesn't deserve it."

"Mom, we need to keep our composure. We're all family here. Misunderstandings can be cleared up if we just talk it out," Sandy replied with a calmness that belied her years.

"You're too kind-hearted, Sandy. You'll get taken advantage of," Ashley warned, though she didn't stop her.

Before long, Anastasia and Salma arrived with their lawyer in tow.

Sandy greeted them with a warm smile. "Sister, Aunt Salma, please have a seat. Mrs. Miller, could you serve some of the new tea from our plantation?"

"Right away, Miss Sandy," Mrs. Miller said, heading to prepare the tea.

Anastasia had never liked being called 'sister' by Sandy, and that hadn't changed. The term felt uncomfortable, almost insincere.

To everyone else, Sandy seemed harmless, but to Anastasia, she was unsettling. The Morton family had their quirks: Ashley was brash and sharp-tongued, Sean was impulsive, and their brother Tavon was selfish. But their traits were always on full display, except for Sandy. She was an enigma, her purity and grace like a lotus flower, and her demeanor, that of the girl next door.

Ashley, watching Sandy's warm reception of Anastasia and Salma, felt her discomfort grow.

"What are you doing here?" Ashley demanded, standing tall with indignation. "If you're here to see Tavon, you might as well leave. Don't dirty our floors. The nerve of a mistress to bring her illegitimate child to the rightful wife's home - shameless!" Ashley's words were harsh, cutting through the air like a knife.

Salma retorted, her voice rising with anger, "Ashley, watch your mouth! I stepped aside for you once, and it's because of me you set foot in this family. Tavon had a stroke; what right do you have to stop us from seeing him? Are you hiding something? A perfectly healthy man doesn't just have a stroke out of nowhere."noveldrama

Anastasia allowed her mother to vent, feigning a worried and helpless look.

Sandy didn't stop Ashley either, her face showing a mixture of concern and reluctance to intervene.

Ashley stood up briskly. "Why should my husband see you? What are you to him? Have some dignity, seducing a married man and then shamelessly showing up here."

Salma stood her ground. "You're the one without shame. Tavon was going to divorce you, and you clung on for dear life. You even harmed him - there's nothing more poisonous than a scorned woman."

"Who harmed him? He had that stroke on his own," Ashley spat back, her temper flaring. "Salma, don't slander me. He was fine until you showed up."

"Enough," Ashley shouted, her patience worn thin. "Let's settle this now. We'll go see Tavon and get to the bottom of his condition."

With that, Ashley dragged Salma upstairs, not waiting for a response. Salma didn't resist, firing back, "Fine by me. I'm not scared of you."

Ashley had taken the bait. As they ascended the stairs, Sandy couldn't stop them in time.

"I better go and make sure they don't come to blows," Anastasia said with feigned concern.

"I'll come too," Sandy added, following the commotion upstairs.