The Bond Between Us novel Chapter 886

Herman was always the distant type. Cold, reserved—never letting anyone get close, except Anastasia. With her, he showed a softness that almost didn’t seem possible. But everyone else? He kept his walls up, his gaze cool and detached, almost like he couldn’t care less.

He’d wanted to let Sandy off easy.

But Sandy just wouldn’t listen. She had to go and stir up trouble with Anastasia.

That was it. She’d crossed a line she shouldn’t have touched.

Sandy saw the flicker of danger in Herman’s eyes and tried to pry his fingers off her wrist. His grip was like iron—she couldn’t even make him flinch.

Giving up, Sandy stopped fighting and just looked up at him, her eyes big and innocent, tears glistening in the corners. She’d always known how to play the helpless victim—red-rimmed eyes, trembling lips, the picture of pure, sweet vulnerability. The kind of girl any guy would want to protect, the kind that made hearts ache.

It always worked. Always—except with Herman.

He let go of her wrist, looking at her like she was something he’d just scraped off his shoe. His voice was colder than ice. “What did you say to her?”

Sandy coughed, forcing a few tears down her cheeks, trying to look as pitiful as she could. “I was only here as a guest, I didn’t know I’d run into Anastasia. She asked me about what happened back at Willowbrook. I remembered what you told me—I didn’t say a word. I apologized, told her nothing happened, honestly. But she didn’t believe me. She even slapped me. Twice.”

She leaned in, making sure he saw her cheek, red from the supposed slap.

Herman’s eyes stayed flat and hard. He didn’t believe a bit of it.

“If she slapped you, you probably deserved it,” he said, and then wiped his hand with a napkin, like her touch had left something dirty behind.

That cut deeper than any slap.

He cut her off, voice icy. “I warned you. And believe me, I remember those days better than you think.”

The only reason he’d come looking for Sandy was to see if it really was her who drove Anastasia away.

And now he knew.

Sandy froze, then forced a mocking laugh. “Herman, aren’t you and Anastasia supposed to be so in love? Where’s all that trust now? If she really believed you, why would she doubt you? Your marriage isn’t as unbreakable as people think. There’s no such thing as forever in love—only interests last. You and I, we could be unstoppable if you’d just get over yourself.”

“You’re not as clever as you think,” Herman shot back, already halfway out the door.

Sandy watched him leave, still convinced he wouldn’t actually destroy Morton Group. But just in case, she grabbed her phone and called Tavon, instantly switching to her most desperate tone. “Dad, we’re in trouble. Morton Group’s in real danger. Herman—he’s about to…”