The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 896

Asher was trying to get the chip back, which meant it was important—and definitely had something to do with him.

If Rowan handed it over, he’d be in serious trouble. Those two brothers were already drifting apart.

Rowan’s knuckles went white as he stared Herman down. “I found a phone in that cave. If you think it’s useful, take it and see for yourself.”

Reluctantly, Rowan dug into a drawer and tossed Herman an old, beat-up phone. The screen was shattered and it wouldn’t even turn on—he hadn’t had the time to get it fixed.

Herman turned the phone over, calm as ever. “The chip still isn’t decrypted,” he said, almost casually.

Rowan wanted to glare a hole right through him—he’d been played.

“Herman,” Rowan growled, jaw tight.

Herman tossed the chip back. “If I find out you drag her into danger again, I won’t be so nice.”

Back when things got messy, Rowan had no choice but to trust Anastasia with the chip. He hadn’t thought it would put her at risk, just figured he’d take care of business and get it back later.

Herman hadn’t cracked the chip either—he didn’t want the headache.

He slipped the broken phone into his pocket. “Thanks,” he said, then turned and walked out.

Herman always kept score. He knew if it weren’t for Rowan, Anastasia wouldn’t have made it through that night.

That simple “thanks” caught Rowan off guard—he never expected gratitude from Herman.

After Herman and Dailey left, Hanna came in. “Rowan, are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

“No,” Rowan said, closing his eyes. “Just leave me alone. I need to rest.”

He was always cold to Hanna. She’d gotten used to it, but it still hurt.

The next morning—

Monica showed up early at Southridge Estates, hoping to see Anastasia. But Anastasia stayed holed up in her room, refusing to see anyone.

Sean pressed, “So, do you know who did?”

“No idea,” Sandy said, a wicked little laugh in her voice. “Does it even matter? Anastasia’s reputation is trashed. Sure, Herman’s backing her now, but let’s see how long that lasts. Four guys attacked her. You think he can just forget that ever happened?”

Sandy really didn’t know who was behind it. She suspected Asher, since she’d looked into the bad blood between him and Herman.

Sean sighed. “No man could stand by his wife after something like that. Herman has to play the loyal husband now—he can’t risk Elysian Technologies’ image.”

Sandy was practically gloating. “Give it time. They’ll be strangers sharing a house soon enough.”

The gossip about Anastasia was everywhere. Even if the posts disappeared online, people were still whispering. It wouldn’t blow over anytime soon.

At the Walker house—

Up in the attic, Autumn ran her fingers over Julie’s urn. “Sweetheart,” she whispered, “I’ve already made Anastasia pay. This is just the beginning. Soon, I’ll send her to join you. She’ll pay for what she did.”