The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1032

Hanna called Riley in a hurry.

Riley was on a train, heading out of town for who knew how long. He blinked at Hanna’s name lighting up his screen—surprised, a little nervous. “H-Hanna? W-what’s going on?”

“You were with Rowan this morning, sorting out Asher’s affairs,” Hanna said, her voice tight. “Did he say anything to you? Was he acting strange at all?”

Riley thought it over. “No, not really. Rowan gave me a hundred grand and told me to take a break. He said Willow Lake was beautiful, so… that’s where I’m headed.” His voice was timid, uncertain.

Riley had spent years under Asher’s wing. He’d always been the quiet type, never the one pulling strings—just a loyal helper, always in the background. Asher’s death had rattled him. To the world, Asher was a villain, but to Riley, he’d been a guide—a mentor, even.

“He told you to go to Willow Lake?” Hanna asked, surprised. “Nothing else?”

“Nope, that was it. Rowan gave everyone some severance money and left.” Riley hesitated. “Hanna, is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” Hanna said, ending it there.

Rowan had wrapped everything up—let Asher’s crew go, handed over the last of the money. So what was left for him now?

Just one thing.

Turning himself in.

Rowan would use what little he had left to do something for Anastasia.

Hanna understood, but she didn’t try to stop him. She knew it wouldn’t matter if she did.

She clutched the bank card Rowan gave her and sobbed, the kind of crying that shakes your whole body. Maybe, if she’d said yes to strolling along Willow Lake with him, he would’ve waited a little longer before surrendering.

Two million dollars—his last show of care, his final goodbye.

Sure enough, just as Hanna suspected, Rowan turned himself in.

He confessed to killing the four men who’d kidnapped Anastasia in that mountain cabin.

If Rowan held firm, Autumn’s name would stay tangled in the mess.

Of course, the kidnappers were dead—no one left to testify. Rowan didn’t really know if they’d called Ben or not. But right now, he could say whatever he wanted. Pulling Autumn down with him was enough.

Jason frowned. “Rowan, aren’t you afraid for your life? Do you know who Autumn really is?”

Rowan gave a crooked smile. “Why? The law only applies to nobodies like me?”

“That’s not what I meant.” Jason knew what Rowan was risking by accusing Autumn—he could be signing his own death warrant.

Rowan saw it in his eyes. He looked down, voice quiet but steady. “My life doesn’t mean much.”

Jason pressed his lips together, then nodded at his partner Hank to leave them alone. When Hank stepped out, Jason switched off the camera in the interrogation room and leaned in.

“Rowan, is all of this—for Anastasia?”