The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

That day in Riverdale felt like something big was brewing-everyone in town was caught up in the commotion.

Before long, Anastasia's ad searching for Herman was everywhere. Open your phone, walk down the street, step into a café-everyone was talking about Anastasia looking for Herman.

Online, it was all anyone could talk about: millions of people weighed in, sharing their theories and hopes.

Out on the sidewalks, people huddled in little groups, whispering about the latest updates, just as eager for news as Anastasia herself.

But Anastasia didn't stop at just one ad. She took it up a notch, announcing she'd be waiting for Herman in the plaza outside Riverdale Mall-all day, as long as it

took.

Within moments, the news was plastered all over town. Every screen, every billboard was streaming a live feed of Anastasia, sitting steady and silent on a bench in the middle of the square, her face calm, her eyes full of quiet determination.

People flocked to the mall, drawn by curiosity. The plaza filled up-rows and rows of onlookers circling closer.

Mall security carved out some space and kept the crowd under control. People actually behaved themselves, forming neat rings around Anastasia.

The crowd kept swelling-hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousands.

Jason and Hank stood nearby, taking it all in. Hank, shaking his head in disbelief, muttered, “Jason, rich people really do things differently. She's spending a fortune just to find someone. That LED billboard over there? A few seconds costs millions. She's bought out the whole day, across the city! Who else could pull that off?"

Jason watched Anastasia, his voice thoughtful. "If it meant finding Herman, she'd spend every cent, give up everything. With a woman like her by your side, what more could a man want?"

Hank nodded. "You're right. If it were anyone else married into the Salstrom family, with all that money-most women would be living it up, splurging on whatever they wanted. Who needs a man when you have all that?"

A billion-dollar fortune, two kids, and no husband-what could be better?

But Anastasia never stopped searching for Herman. She held their company together, kept the family going. Any scrap of news about him, and she was off again, chasing hope.

Her boldness stunned the entire city and shook up the circles of the rich and powerful.

Before this, the socialites-the ones who grew up wealthy-looked down their noses at Anastasia. Sure, they were jealous, but they never really respected her. They assumed she was just a pretty face, after Herman's money.

Now, Anastasia's actions were a slap in the face to all of them.

What she had with Herman was real-a love that went both ways.

Deep down, every woman wants a love that lasts, someone who puts her above all else.

Herman had transferred everything into Anastasia's name, proving she mattered more to him than anything.

And Anastasia answered with a love so fierce, everyone could see it.

In a downtown office, Jarod watched the livestream, seeing Anastasia waiting patiently in the square. He turned to his assistant and said, "Now that's the kind of woman you'd want by your side for life. Too bad I'm not that lucky. If I could marry someone like her, I'd give up ten years of my life."

The more money you have, the harder it is to find the real thing.

Jarod had spent years chasing fun, but deep down, he wanted someone true.

His assistant tried to reassure him. "Mr. Jarod, there are plenty of women who'd do anything for you. You could have anyone."noveldrama

He snorted. "Yeah, right. They're all after my money. If I went broke, they'd be gone before I even knew it."

His assistant kept her gaze low.

Jarod grabbed his car keys. "I'm

heading over to the mall. If Herman doesn't show and Anastasia's

la's e

heartbroken, that's my chance. I'll go offer a little comfort."

He grinned, already plotting.

Across town, Rowan sat in his hotel suite, eyes fixed on the TV, watching

Anastasia wait in the square, lost in thought.

Nelson, Henry, Dailey, Collin Witt, Christen-they'd all seen the ads, and now they were all headed to the mall, too.

Salma Jewell only found out what Anastasia was up to from her nanny. She quickly told Liana and the other nannies to keep an eye on the kids and rushed out to catch a cab downtown.

The whole city buzzed with excitement, but Anastasia sat in the middle of it all,

calm and steady. She had only one hope left-that he would come.