The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 598

"Annie, calm down, that's not what I meant at all," Herman said patiently, gripping Annie's shoulders. "I just want you to shift your focus, change how things are right now. Do you think Pattie's coming back…"

"She will, she has to," Annie interrupted, her voice trembling. "I thought you'd always support me, Herman. I can't just give up."

"No one's asking you to give up, Annie," Herman said softly. "We can start a family, that's not in the way of anything. You've always wanted kids, right? You need your own life. Put your energy into your career, into preparing for a baby, but please, don't fixate on finding Pattie. We need to move forward."

"I can't," Annie shook her head, tears in her eyes. "If we have a child, Pattie will just be forgotten. No one will remember her. She can't be replaced. You loved her so much."

"No one will forget Pattie," Herman reassured her, pulling her into his arms. "Annie, I'll always be here with you, searching, waiting. But I hope, for me, for our home, you can find the strength to carry on."

Annie closed her eyes, leaning against Herman's shoulder. She was so tired, too drained to argue. Deep down, she knew he was just trying to help.

Gradually, she calmed down. Herman took her out to their favorite diner for dinner, then back home where he ran a bath for her.

As Annie soaked, Herman stepped out to the balcony for a cigarette. Lately, he'd been smoking more to deal with the stress.

His phone rang. It was Flynn. "Herman, there's trouble. The medical supplies we imported last time... they're faulty. People are having adverse reactions, and the contracts... they were fake. I'm implicated in a bribe. I'm toast."

"Idiot," Herman muttered, anger boiling over. "I'm coming."

After hanging up, Herman went to tell Annie but got no response from the bathroom. Pushing the door open, he found her submerged in the tub.

"Annie!"

Panicked, Herman pulled her out and performed first aid.

Annie coughed up water, dazed. "What happened?"

"Annie, you look wiped. It's late; get some rest," Salma said.

"Yeah, I'm beat." With no energy left, Annie lay down, her mind replaying her slip into the tub.

She drifted off but was later jolted awake by chills, then intense heat, sweating profusely.

When she was cold, it was bone-chilling; when hot, it felt like she was burning up. Her sweat soaked the sheets.

Annie was feverish, her body aching. Unable to stand it, she called out hoarsely, "Mom, Mom..."

Salma, sleeping next door, rushed over. Feeling Annie's forehead, she gasped, "You're burning up, Annie. I'll call Dr. James."