The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Tavon was stunned into silence, unable to come up with a single retort.

He stammered, "Y-you... you have feelings for your brother-in-law? That's just wrong, Sandy. It's... it's not right. It's against everything decent.”

"Decent?" Sandy snorted, rolling her eyes. "Dad, you spend half your life thinking about that woman from Riverdale. Is that supposed to be decent? That's not breaking the rules?"

"Watch your mouth." Tavon's temper flared. "My business isn't your concern. And look at you since you got out of the hospital-what have you become? Honestly, you were easier to deal with when you were still in there. At least you didn't give me so much grief."

"Oh, I get it. You'd rather I'd never left. Or better yet, that I'd just died. That would really make things easier for you, wouldn't it?" Sandy's gaze was icy as she stared him down. "Yeah, you all wish I was gone. If you didn't want me, why'd you even bother having me? Nobody wants me, nobody cares if I live or die. Why bring me into this world at all?"

Her voice was thick with resentment. Ashley and Tavon had both turned their backs on her, left her to fend for herself, and she'd never let go of that grudge.

Tavon looked bewildered. "How can you say that? How have we not cared about you? When you were sick, you were in the hospital for years. Your mom and I were worried sick, searching everywhere for a bone marrow donor-"

"Oh, searching?" Sandy let out a harsh laugh. “My brother was a match, and you hid it. You wouldn't let him help, even when I was dying. You just stood by and watched. Don't pretend you were trying to save me."

Suddenly, Tavon got it. "You think we just let you die? Sandy, you and your brother are both our kids. Asking him to donate... it's not an easy thing to do. We tried everything else first so he wouldn't have to go through that. Your mom and I did all we could. How can you see it any other way?"

Sandy just rolled her eyes. She wasn't buying any of it. Gone was the sweet, obedient Sandy-she was in charge of her own life now.

"Let me ask you something, Dad. If you'd been a match, would you have done it? Would you have saved me?" Her gaze was sharp and unwavering.

Tavon hesitated, then said, "Of course. You're my daughter. Of course I'd save you."

But it was all hypothetical. He could say whatever he wanted-he didn't have to prove a thing.

Sandy didn't believe a word of it. Her tone was cold. "Dad, if you just came here to yell at me, don't bother. I'm busy. I've got a meeting soon. Why don't you head home and enjoy your retirement? Just don't show up at the company unless you absolutely have to."

"Sandy, what happened to you?" Tavon was nearly shouting. "Just look at yourself. Ever since you got better, you've turned wild. You watch too many TV dramas, thinking you're the main character, that youcan do whatever you want. And now you're telling me to leave? This is my company-I built it from nothing!"

He slammed his hand on the desk, just as Herman appeared in the doorway and

let out a quiet laugh.

Tavon, still fuming, turned around and was shocked. "Son-in-law?"noveldrama

Sandy was about to call security to have Tavon removed, but when she saw Herman standing there, she froze.

She tensed, convinced Herman was here to settle a score with her.

Tavon hurried over, sizing Herman up. "Son-in-law, what brings you here? Are you alone? Where's Ana?"

Herman glanced at Sandy. "Can I have a word with you?"

"... Sure," Sandy answered, her voice barely steady.

Tavon, thinking maybe Herman could knock some sense into Sandy, made himself scarce. "You two don't need to go anywhere. I'll just wait outside. Sandy's crossed the life this time-say whatever you need, don't worry about me."

Herman didn't feel any connection to Tavon he hardly remembered his own parents, let alone his

father-in-law. Tavon's feelings

weren't even on his radar.

Tavon grinned sheepishly, stepped outside, and even closed the office door for

them. Then he pressed his ear to the window, trying to eavesdrop.

Herman walked over calmly and closed the blinds.

Tavon: "..."

With nothing else to do, Tavon shuffled over and pressed his ear against the door, determined to catch whatever he could.