The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia took the reins and immediately whisked Tavon off to the hospital for a thorough checkup. The rumors were true: Tavon had suffered a stroke due to a heart attack. The stroke was severe, and his chances of recovery seemed slim. As Tavon lay in the hospital bed, tears welled up in his eyes. Being a robust man in his early fifties, the thought of spending the rest of his days bedridden was unbearable.noveldrama

His son-in-law, Herman, tried to reassure him. "Let's get you back to the Big Apple to see a specialist I know. There's a miracle worker there, and I'll do my best to get him to take a look at you."

Hearing this, Tavon's eyes filled with tears again, and he made a muffled sound of gratitude. That's my dependable son-in-law, he thought.

Tavon had no idea how Herman and Anastasia had patched things up, but seeing them together filled him with hope. Anastasia sat beside him and gently said, "Dad, I need to ask you some questions. Blink once for yes, and don't blink for no." Tavon blinked to show he understood.

"Was it an accident, or did someone do this to you? Blink if someone did."

Tavon was unsure. At first, he didn't blink, but then he did.

Anastasia frowned. "Someone did this to you?"

Tavon blinked again.

"You're not sure what happened?" Herman asked.

Tavon blinked rapidly-he really had no idea how the stroke had occurred. He remembered coming home from a social event, working in his study, and suddenly feeling a sharp pain in his chest. He passed out and woke up in the hospital like this. "Could it have been someone in the family?" Anastasia pressed.

Tavon had thought about this. He had been living apart from his wife Ashley, and their relationship was strained. His daughter Sandy had been dutiful, bringing him herbal teas in the evenings, and his son Sean seemed as respectful as ever. Even after his stroke, Ashley had cared for him without complaint. He couldn't fathom who would want to harm him.

With no clear answers, Anastasia felt deflated.

Salma suggested, "Let's focus on finding a doctor to treat your father first. We can figure the rest out later."

That night, Anastasia and her party took Tavon back to Riverdale, checking him into the finest hospital in town. Herman had called in a favor from a renowned healer named James, whose family had a legacy of medical miracles. They said he could bring someone back from the brink of death.

James was elusive, and many powerful families sought his services without success. Thanks to a past connection, Herman managed to convince him.

After examining Tavon, James said, "It's not completely hopeless, but it's risky. Traditional acupuncture might give him a chance to walk again."

This possibility ignited hope. Tavon was visibly moved, and Salma thanked Dr. James profusely.

James told Herman, "I need a different setting for my work, not a hospital. We'll need to prepare herbal baths to stimulate his muscles and joints."

"Whatever you need, just tell me. I'll arrange it," Herman assured him.

In the following days, Herman brought Tavon back to Southridge Estates, where James began his treatments. Salma, worried for her father, stayed at Southridge Estates to help care for him. Katelyn, hearing of her sister Julie's troubles, returned from England to help organize the wedding Herman intended to be a grand affair for Anastasia.

The Salstrom family moved quickly, and the wedding date was set without delay. Everything was looking up.

Once the date was announced, Herman made sure the media spread the word. He wanted the world to know about their love. The news spread like wildfire, and the Riverdale elite buzzed with speculation. Divorced and now reuniting? Herman Salstrom must be one of the world's true romantics. Through thick and thin, she remained his unwavering choice. What a blessing to be so decisively loved by a man.

Meanwhile, in the hospital, Gianna watched the televised announcement of the upcoming nuptials, her jealousy blazing like wildfire. "It's not fair, not fair at all," she muttered, furiously throwing her cup at the screen, shattering it and her composure in one fell swoop.