The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Herman clenched his fists, trying to rein in his frustration as he turned back into the hotel room, his face a mask of icy resolve. He couldn't afford to lose his composure like this.

Back inside, Sean was still holding onto Herman's waist like a kid clinging to a security blanket. "Let go," Herman growled.

This time, Sean let go, stepping back with a look of pure fear, bracing himself like he was about to get hit. Herman let out a dry laugh, a mix of anger and disbelief. "You're scared of a beating, but you had the guts to block my way earlier? Idiot. The more you try to stop me, the more suspicious this whole thing gets. I'm not George, am I?"

"No," Sean whispered, still rattled, eyes downcast. He quickly corrected himself, "Yes, I mean, you are George."

Herman chuckled bitterly. "Great, a tongue twister. Just what I needed."

With long, deliberate strides, Herman advanced on Sean, his commanding presence making Sean back away, his eyes darting around, too scared to meet Herman's gaze. "Stay right there," Herman ordered, his voice cold as ice. "Move again, and you won't see tomorrow."

He wasn't about to waste more time on Sean. With those words, he headed for the door.

Just as he grabbed the doorknob, Sean's voice broke the silence. "Please, don't blame Sandy, okay?"

Sean didn't have the power or guts to stop Herman, but as a big brother, he felt he had to protect Sandy. Herman paused, fixing Sean with a steely glare.

Gathering his courage, Sean spoke up, "No matter what, Sandy saved your life. Whether you remember or not, can't you at least not hold it against her? She means no harm. She just... likes you, wants you around."

Herman's expression hardened as he asked, "One more time, who am I?"

After a moment of inner struggle, Sean replied, "You're not George, but I can't tell you who you are."

Saying this lifted a small weight off Sean's conscience. He was never a good liar, and keeping up this

charade had been torture for himmet

He'd been on edge, terrified that Herman would remember and take it out on the Morton family, especially Sandy. noveldrama

Herman knew he wouldn't get more out of Sean. It was already 10 AM, and he should've been at the Night Market by now.

As he opened the door, he saw a familiar face approaching from the other end of the hallway. It was Sandy, who had come straight from Willowbrook.

She'd caught the earliest flight to get here. Dressed in a subtle gray dress with a black jacket, her hair was pulled back in a neat bun, giving her the youthful, yet sophisticated look of a college student. Her outfit, though, was a bit too somber. Cóntent

Seeing Herman, Sandy flashed a sweet smile. "George, I missed you. Came to see you. Surprised?"

Sandy's sudden appearance caught Sean off guard. "Sis, what are you doing here?"

He had repeatedly told her over the phone not to come. Ignoring Sean, Sandy kept her eyes on Herman.

In the past, her gaze was full of admiration for him. To her, he was exceptional; a puppet she could control, which gave her a sense of accomplishment. But now, her eyes held a hint of regret. Her being here signaled a grim future for

Herman-either he would die, or he'd be left incapacitated.

Imagining such a brilliant man reduced to a bedridden state, dependent on others

for basic needs, was indeed a pity.

Sandy opened her arms and hugged Herman, her face still smiling. "George, I'm here to give you the answers you want. Let's talk."

Herman's face remained impassive as he gripped her shoulders and gently pushed her away. For a fleeting moment, Sandy felt a pang of disappointment. Was even a simple hug too much to ask?

Composing herself, she withdrew her hands, tucking them into her pockets. The vial of poison she'd prepared last night rested inside.