The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Jason shot Monica a look that was both mysterious and a little weird. "You're overthinking things." "Then why'd you invite me over for dinner?" Monica was never one to keep her questions to herself. Jason shrugged. "Are you gonna eat or not? If not, forget it."

"I'd be crazy to turn down a free meal." Monica laughed. "Jason, I've never seen you cook. Tonight, I'll be the judge of your culinary skills." Just as they left, Joseph showed up.

Feiman's words had sparked a bit of compassion in him, prompting him to visit Julie at the hospital.

The officer on duty, aware of Joseph's intentions, let him in.

Julie, surprised to see Joseph, sat up quickly, wincing as the handcuffs dug into her wrists.

Joseph eyed her belly with a cold stare. "Julie, just make sure you bring that kid into the world. There's plenty of time for you to die later."

"Joseph, you're such a jerk." Julie couldn't find a shred of pity in his eyes. "It's my body. I'll do what I want."

"Try me. If anything happens to that child, I'll make sure you're buried alongside it. So stop your foolishness; you're only hurting yourself."

Julie was furious. "I'll have the baby only if you get me out of here, Joseph. I was your woman, the mother of your child. I've been with no one but you. You have to take responsibility."

Joseph sneered. "I've had my share of women. If I had to take responsibility for each one, I'd be overwhelmed."

Julie, enraged, raised her hand to strike, but Joseph caught it and slapped her hard. "In my world, there's no 'don't hit women' rule. Don't test me."

She collapsed onto the hospital bed, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

It was then she realized Joseph was heartless. She couldn't count on him.

Julie glared at him with pure hatred. "You'll get what's coming to you."

"I'd prefer the bad karma to hit you, not me or my son. The thought of my kid coming out of you-it's bad juju."

Her heart sank with those words.

Julie's hatred for Joseph now surpassed any she'd felt for Herman.

"Joseph, you'll not die a good death."

"That curse is old news. If curses worked, the world would be in chaos with countless dead." Joseph scoffed. "Have the kid, and I'll at least pick up your body. Anything more than that-don't hope for it. There's no sympathy for rapists." With those words, he left the room, telling the officers watching Julie, "Thanks for your work. Keep an eye on her. She can croak, but that kid in her belly, I want it safe."

The officers had never seen such a display of cold affluence.

If Julie hadn't been pregnant, Joseph wouldn't have cared to look at her twice.

Monica followed Jason to his apartment, a spacious two-bedroom with a clean, industrial vibe.

Casting a glance around, she asked, "Do I need to change shoes?"

While asking, she noticed a pair of women's shoes by the shoe rack, which caught her by surprise.

Wasn't Jason single?

Before she could inquire, a woman came out of the kitchen with dishes in hand. "Jason, you're back. Dinner's ready. Just in time. And who is this...?" The woman noticed Monica.

Monica offered an awkward greeting. "Hi, I'm Monica, Jason's... partner."

She wasn't sure about the woman's relationship with Jason and didn't want to make a faux pas.

She'd been working with Jason on cases daily, so 'partner' seemed a safe bet.noveldrama

Jason introduced them. "This is Monica, a friend and colleague. And this is Anastasia. Alisa."

Hearing the name Anastasia, Monica breathed a sigh of relief, though she didn't realize why she felt that way.

Alisa, upon hearing Jason's words, showed a flicker of discomfort and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I didn't expect we'd have a guest. I'll just get another set of cutlery."

After Alisa retreated to the kitchen, Monica remembered something and turned to Jason, tugging at his sleeve. "Aren't you an only child? How come you have an Anastasia? Don't tell me you two are... I mean, you're not..."