The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Sandy's words really threw Sean for a loop.

Sean stared in disbelief. "Sis, have you lost your mind? Are you seriously thinking about marrying Herman?"

Sandy chuckled confidently, "Do you think I'm kidding? Sean, only a man like Herman is worthy of me, and only I am worthy of him. Once we get our marriage license, even if things go south, I won't be worried." Sean protested, "This isn't right. You're talking about getting involved with a married man and breaking up a family."

Hearing this, Sandy's expression changed. "Are you calling your sister a homewrecker?"

Sean realized he might have been too harsh and quickly added, "I'm just worried about you getting hurt. Herman doesn't love you. What if he remembers Anastasia and his family back in Riverdale? What then?"

"I can give him kids too," Sandy said with determination. "He's going by George now and has nothing to do with the Salstrom family. Sean, you're my favorite brother. Help me out, won't you? Don't you want to see your sister marry a great guy?" "Of course, I want you to have a good life, but..." Sean was conflicted.

"Herman is my happy ending. Please, Sean, you have to help me," Sandy tugged at his sleeve, pleading like she used to when they were kids. "You're the best, and once Herman and I tie the knot and start a family, I'm confident he won't leave me, even if he remembers the past."

Faced with Sandy's plea, Sean found it hard to refuse. After a moment of internal struggle, he nodded. "Alright, whatever you want, I'll support you and help make it happen."

"You're the best, Sean," Sandy exclaimed, hugging him eagerly.

Seeing Sandy so happy made Sean smile. His biggest wish in life was to see his sister happy and healthy. That's a promise he made to her long ago.

No matter what Sandy became or did, to Sean, she would always be the kind-hearted, gentle sister who spent her childhood sick in the hospital, needing protection.

Sean suddenly remembered something. "By the way, when I was leaving, Dad mentioned he's heading to Riverdale."

Sandy stepped back, her expression hardening. "Is he going to see that mother and daughter again?"

Mentioning Salma and Anastasia made Sandy's eyes go cold, losing all the warmth and charm from before.

"Yeah," Sean said, frustrated with

their father Tavon's insistence on being involved with Salma and her daughter Herman disappeared without a trace, and I heard Anastasia is still in Springfield. Now Elysian Technologies is being run by Flynn and Joseph."

"Joseph?" Sandy was surprised. "Isn't he the one who refused to join the Salstrom family and always clashed with Herman? Why is he helping now?" Sean replied, "Blood's thicker than water. No matter the conflicts, family ties run deep."

Sean understood sibling bonds better than anyone, just like his bond with Sandy. No matter what Sandy did, he would always be there for her - he had only one sister, and if he didn't look out for her, who would?

QUMS

Herman found himself strolling down Main Street, which was bustling with people and lined with small shops, all doing brisk business.

He stopped in front of a café named

'Café Bliss. Staring at the name, a few hazy memories flashed through his mind. He vaguely remembered someone buying him a coffee there once.

He walked into the café, and the barista asked, "What can I get for you today?"

Herman glanced at the menu board. "I'll have a mocha latte, please."

He wasn't sure why he ordered it, just that it seemed familiar. After paying, the barista handed him the latte. "Here you go, enjoy."

Taking a sip, Herman found it sweet and comforting.

His first mocha latte was a long-forgotten memory of Anastasia buying him one at a street fair. Though he couldn't recall the details, the taste was familiar. Continuing down the street with his latte, Herman noticed a food cart selling hot dogs, surrounded by a crowd.

Another fragmented memory surfaced, of someone telling him that these street hot dogs, despite their appearance, tasted amazing.

Intrigued, Herman approached the cart and bought one. But it turned out to be too greasy, and the cart wasn't very clean. So, he tossed it after a couple of bites.

Herman spent the rest of the morning wandering the busy street, indulging in snacks and drinks. Nicholas trailed behind, ready to report back to Sandy.

Nicholas was discreetly snapping pictures when suddenly his camera caught a familiar face - it was Tavon.