The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Herman wasn't about to give up, not when he was so close to uncovering the truth

about himself. All he needed was a hint, a whisper of a clue, and he was

relentless in his pursuit.

Sean, meanwhile, kept his lips sealed, his eyes darting everywhere but at Herman, avoiding his intense gaze.

"So, you're not gonna talk, huh?" Herman smirked, his voice icy. "Alright, let's take this somewhere private and have a real chat."

Fast forward ten minutes, and Herman had Sean cornered in a room at a Super 8 Motel. He pushed Sean into the bathroom and locked the door behind them.

Sean had no idea what Herman was up to, and his nerves were fraying. "George, what are you doing? Don't do anything crazy."

Sean backed up until he hit the wall. Herman turned on the faucet, filling the sink with water before shutting it off. In one swift move, he pulled Sean over and dunked his head into the water.

It was a seamless, practiced motion. Sean struggled, sputtering and gasping as water filled his nose and mouth. Herman let him up for a breath, only to push him back under again.

"Glub, glub, glub," went the bubbles in the water.

After a few rounds of this, Sean was spent, his face flushed and his lungs burning. When Herman finally let him go, Sean collapsed onto the floor, coughing and spluttering in a pitiful heap.

Herman crouched down, his presence looming over Sean like a shadow. "Now, tell me. Who's this Meng person? What's my real connection? Who am I?"

His voice was sharp, demanding. "You can keep your mouth shut, but we've got all night. I have all the time in the world to play this game with you."

Sean, eyes wide with fear, tried to scramble to his feet, but his limbs were weak, and the wet floor sent him tumbling back down, even more humiliated.

"I don't know anyone named Meng. You're George, and if you don't believe me, go ahead and check it out." Sean's voice was defiant. "My sister treats you like gold. Why can't you just be satisfied? Marrying Sandy could save you ten years of hard work. Plenty of folks would kill for that chance."noveldrama

But Herman wasn't interested in shortcuts at the expense of his own identity. Marrying Sandy would be like strapping himself to an anchor, dragging him down rather than lifting him up.

"I could just walk into any police station and find out who I really am," Herman sneered. "Do you know why I haven't done that yet?"

Sean hesitated, then asked, "Why?"

Herman didn't answer. Deep down, he was scared of what he might find. The truth was a double-edged sword, and he was caught between desperation and dread.

Grabbing Sean by the collar, Herman pulled him up again. "Ready for another round?"

Sean frantically shook his head, waving his hands in surrender. He couldn't take any more.

But Herman wasn't ready to let him off that easily. He shoved Sean's head back into the water-filled sink.

Sean thrashed violently, sending droplets flying everywhere. When Herman finally relented, Sean's face was ghostly pale, his body convulsing with tremors.

The ordeal had taken its toll on Sean, his recent bone marrow donation leaving him weak and vulnerable.

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he lay gasping for air, Herman'

expression shifted from cold determination to something almost like concern. He pressed his thumb into the space under Sean's nose,

trying to revive him.

Once Sean's breathing steadied, Herman stood up, looking down at him with a mixture of contempt and pity. "Get back to Willowbrook."

Sean didn't have the strength to protest, his chest heaving as he struggled to regain his breath.

Meanwhile, back at Southridge Estates, the air was thick with tension. After the heated argument at Salstrom Manor earlier that day, Anastasia decided to stay with the kids at South Gate for the night.

It wasn't long before Katelyn arrived. Emmie and Nancy were still up, crawling around the living room on plush cushions, while Pattie entertained them, showering them with affection.

The moment Pattie spotted Katelyn, her smile faded, replaced by a look of

trepidation. She was visibly uneasy, avoiding Katelyn's gaze.

Anastasia was coming downstairs with the kids' clothes when she caught sight of the scene and felt a pang of sympathy for Pattie.

Katelyn, however, felt nothing but guilt when she saw Pattie. Knowing now that Pattie was Herman's real daughter made her see the girl in a whole new light. Katelyn's face softened into a warm smile, and she beckoned to Pattie. "Come here, sweetie. Grandma wants to see you."

But Pattie was hesitant, taking a cautious step back instead. She didn't notice Anastasia watching from the stairs as she signed a message to Katelyn: "I'll go sanitize my hands first."