The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1079

Tavon was acting strange—one minute asking Anastasia to get James to come over, the next telling her to forget it, and then suddenly checking in on Salma. Anastasia couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

“Dad, what’s going on?” she asked over the phone. “You sound like you’ve just discovered the secret to happiness or something. Are you… sick? Like, seriously sick?”

Only something that heavy could make someone suddenly grow a conscience.

As the saying goes, people speak kindly when they think the end is near.

Tavon was quiet for a beat.

“Oh, come on. One person wishing I’d croak isn’t enough, now there’s a second?” he blurted out before he could catch himself.

Anastasia caught on immediately. “Wait—who else wants you gone? Dad, what aren’t you telling me?”

She heard car horns blaring in the background. “Are you outside somewhere?”

“Yeah, just out for a walk,” Tavon said, dodging. “Kids are just karma from another life, you know? You really are hoping I’ll drop dead, huh? Relax, I’m not going anywhere. Worry about your mom, take care of your three kids, and remember to be sweet to your husband. Keep things interesting—guys love that. He’s got status, there’s temptation everywhere, don’t let your guard down…”

Tavon shifted the topic so smoothly that Anastasia let it slide.

Getting relationship advice from your own dad was just awkward.

Since he seemed in a rare good mood, Anastasia changed the subject. “Dad, when are you coming to Riverdale? How’s everything over there?”

“All good. I’ll come by when I get the chance,” Tavon said, only half sincere. “I’m busy these days—old friends keep inviting me out. If I’m not birdwatching, I’m at the park dancing.”

Anastasia didn’t think much of it. They chatted a little longer until work called her away, so she hung up and got back to her day.

On Tavon’s end, the second he hung up, all the energy drained out of him.

He’d lived here for decades, raised kids, built a life—yet now it all felt so lonely.

Maybe this was what people meant by karma.

Riverdale.

The Browns—Isla’s grandparents—never bothered to step in. It was pretty clear they were letting Isla run wild on purpose.

Monica was convinced they were the ones pulling the strings.

Spotting Anastasia, Monica finally wrestled herself free from Isla’s grip, signaled for an employee to hold the girl back, and marched toward the door.

Anastasia got the hint and followed.

As soon as they got to the car, Anastasia asked, “What’s up with that kid?”

“Debt collector, obviously,” Monica said, sliding into the passenger seat, exasperated and tired. “I’m pretty sure those two fossils put her up to it. They tried to scam me for money before—when I refused, they started sending the kid to make a scene. It’s ridiculous.”

Anastasia was stunned. “What, are they crazy? How do they even think that’s okay?”

“Birds of a feather, right? They’ve got working legs but left their brains somewhere along the way. Alisa came to me for ‘compensation’ too, as if I owed her anything. She landed herself in jail by always trying to compete with everyone. She got exactly what she deserved.” Monica shook her head, her frustration obvious. “And this kid—I can’t hit her, I can’t yell at her, but she comes every day and scares off half my clients.”