The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia sensed something was up but played it cool, not showing any signs.

Before she could reach for the medicine bottle, Julie, looking jittery, tightened the cap and said, "No worries, if it's no good, we'll just buy another one. It's not like it's expensive. You didn't hurt yourself, did you?" "Nope," Anastasia replied with a smile, glancing at the bottle and making a mental note of its name.

After washing her hands, she said, "I should get going."

"Anastasia, since we bumped into each other, why not stick around for a bit?" Julie suggested with a smile. "It's fate that we met."

"My husband's waiting outside," Anastasia said. "How about I bring him along?"

The mention of Herman made Julie inwardly panic. Now she was Kayleigh, not Julie, and after tricking Flynn before, she knew Herman would recognize her. Facing him was the last thing she wanted.

Feigning disappointment, Julie said, "Let's not then. I wouldn't want to interrupt your time together. Let's plan for another day. I'll just freshen up my makeup."

"Alright," Anastasia agreed, supporting her back as she walked out. At the door, she glanced back at Julie.

Julie caught her eye in the mirror and quickly smiled.

Anastasia smiled back and left.

Herman was outside, waiting. "I'll drop you at the south gate, then head to the office," he said.

"Sounds good." Anastasia had been up early for a prenatal checkup and was feeling tired.

Once back, Anastasia immediately went to James, asking about the medicine bottle she had seen, "What's this used for?"

"It's a hand sanitizer, good for itching and antibacterial purposes," James explained. "It also helps remove stubborn substances from the skin."

"Remove?" Anastasia recalled seeing Leonora's fingertips peeling, yet her hands were soft and well-maintained. Not the type to peel easily.

Typically, fingertips don't just peel. Could Leonora have had something else on them?

Anastasia's mind flashed to a mystery movie she'd watched recently. In it, a criminal wore fingertip covers to erase fingerprints, leaving no trace. They only realized it when the criminal was caught and fingerprinted, and the prints didn't match due to the covers. With this in mind, Anastasia's suspicions shifted towards Leonora, whom she'd met at a café.

Too many coincidences usually mean something's up.

With a bold idea, she asked James for the sanitizer and texted Leonora to meet for afternoon tea.

Julie, still a bit disappointed from missing a great chance, perked up at Anastasia's invitation and immediately started plotting ways to get rid of her in her head.

Julie replied: Sure, Anastasia, you pick the place. I'll come over.

Anastasia picked a spot for afternoon tea and had her driver take her there.

Salma, worried, wanted to come along, but Anastasia insisted on going alone.

Once there, Anastasia ordered three sets of afternoon tea and waited.

Around 2:10 PM, Julie arrived. Anastasia greeted her warmly, "Leonora, over here. Hope I'm not bothering you. Being pregnant limits where I can go and what I can do. Just needed to get out and thought you'd be great company." "I'm more than happy to join. Honestly, I was hoping you'd ask," Julie replied, genuinely eager for the invitation.

Noticing three sets of cakes on the table, Julie felt a pang of anxiety, worried she might run into someone she'd rather avoid, and asked, "Anastasia, is someone else joining us?"

Anastasia smiled, "Oh yes, a friend of mine will be here soon. Hope you don't mind. Please, have a seat."