The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1174

Scott sat down by Juliana’s hospital bed, careful not to wake her. There had been sweet moments between them—he couldn’t deny that. Seeing her like this made him feel a stab of guilt.

But that was all it was.

“Uncle?” Layna slipped quietly into the room, her voice barely above a whisper. “Can you come outside for a second? I need to talk to you.”

Scott had once tried to guide Layna, but after a few run-ins with her rebellious side, he’d given up hope.

He followed her into the hallway. Layna looked up at him, voice trembling. “Uncle, can you please not divorce Aunt Juliana? She can’t live without you. She lost so much blood today—I was terrified.”

“Don’t worry, Layna,” Scott said gently. “The doctors said your aunt’s going to be okay.”

Layna wiped at the corner of her eye, looking heartbreakingly small. “Aunt Juliana is always so good to me. If something happened to her, I’d be devastated.”

“Layna, grown-up problems aren’t for kids to worry about,” Scott told her, trying to sound firm. “Your grandma’s going to take you to stay at Salstrom Manor with the rest of the Stranz family. Focus on your studies, alright?”

“But Uncle, I want to stay with Aunt Juliana. She’ll be all alone. She needs someone.”

The concern in Layna’s voice made Scott see her differently for a moment. Sure, she was stubborn and prone to trouble, spoiled by Juliana, but she still knew how to care about people.

Scott sighed, not sure what to say. He told his driver, Mike, to take Layna home.

He stayed behind to watch over Juliana.

Meanwhile, at home, Sandy’s anger boiled over when she found out Scott had gone to the hospital. She stormed around the house, smashing a vase in her frustration.

Sean tried to calm her. “Sandy, take it easy. Getting worked up isn’t good for you or the baby. Scott probably just felt sorry for Juliana, that’s all.”

“Scott wants to have it both ways. Dream on,” Sandy snapped. “Sean, pack your bags. Buy us tickets. I want to go abroad.”

Juliana might try to win Scott’s sympathy by risking her life, but Sandy refused to just stand by.

“Why leave now?” Sean was baffled.

“This is called retreating to advance,” Sandy said coolly. “Juliana’s made a huge scene—Scott must be overwhelmed. If I show I’m not going to make more trouble, he’ll start to lean toward me.”

“But you’re having his baby,” Sean pointed out.

“Exactly. That’s why I need to go,” Sandy replied with a sly smile. “He’ll come after me. When he does, he’ll say I’m so understanding.”

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