Chapter 20
Anastasiaâs heart raced as she quickly turned to look at Herman, trying to gauge his reaction
1 didnât mean to hide anything from you,â she explained anxiously. âI didnât come to the reunion because of my ex Donât get the wrong ideaâ
When they first met, Anastasia had mentioned a previous relationship. Judging by Casonâs reaction, Herman had quickly picked up on their history. Even if Anastasia didnât have any lingering feelings, it seemed clear that Cason did.
At a stoplight, Herman parked the car steadily looking over at her Anastasia, donât worry. I trust youâ
Her eyes widened in surprise at his words. Any other man would have been a tad upset, even if they didnât show it.
Herman was calm, though He wasnât angry or jealous. But when she remembered they were a newly married couple in name only, without an emotional foundation, it made sense.
Unaware of her thoughts, Herman wasnât angry or jealous because Cason wasnât a threat.
Even though Herman wasnât bothered, Anastasia still felt the need to explain, âWe dated for half a year in high school, then both of us got into Riverdale College. His family sent him abroad, so we lost contact. We werenât very serious.â
The light turned green, and Herman started the car âYou were a student at Riverdale College. Why did you choose to sell stuff at a night market?â âHuh?â Anastasia was surprised. The thing Herman was curious about was pretty strange. He wasnât interested in her past with Cason?
After gathering her thoughts, she answered. âMy family had some issues, su I dropped out after my first year. I didnât graduate.â
Seeing her discomfort, Herman didnât press further
Anastasia expected him to continue asking, but his silence made her uneasy When they got back to Harmony Meadows, she couldnât help but say, âI was a design major. I loved jewelry design. But a controversy happened and caused a big fuss. I was heartbroken and couldnât handle the pressure, so I dropped out.â
Salma and Monica had actually told her all of this. Her memories of that year at Riverdale College were hazy
There were random fragments in her memory. She seemed to have gone through so much but had also forgotten a lot. She had suffered from severe depression and gradually recovered after longâterm treatment
Her memory of the controversy was also blurry. Monica said she was misunderstood. The truth wasnât clear to Anastasia
After her depression healed, she didnât dwell on the past. She started selling things at the market, making her own living. The past didnât matter anymore. What mattered was taking the right steps in the present.
Herman didnât ask any more questions because he didnât want to make her uncomfortable. She had gotten into Riverdale College but dropped out. There was surely a story there. He didnât expect Anastasia to explain voluntarily. He looked at her, his eyes filled with unspeakable tenderness. âDo you regret
it?â
If Anastasia had graduated from Riverdale College, her life would definitely have been better now.
Anastasia shook her head I chose this path. I donât regret anything. I believe thereâs more than one way to success.â
Herman nodded approvingly. âI believe you can do it.â
Her eyes were determined, just like the first time he met her when she asked him if he was willing to marry her.
âDidnât you drink tonight?â Anastasia noticed for the first time that Herman didnât smell like alcohol.
Normally, he would come home drunk, and they rarely had normal conversations.
âI didnât have any social obligations tonight, so I thought Iâd come home early and help you sell stuff at the Night Market.â
Herman didnât actually have any social obligations, he just had Flynn go in his place. Flynn was still at the bar, drinking heavily
âOh. Anastasia asked, âHave you eaten? If not, I can make somethingâ
Iâve eaten.â Herman smiled, noticing her low spirits, he said, âIâll go work in the study for a bit. You should rest.
She needed some space right now
âOkayâ
Anastasia did want to be alone for a bit. The reunion had definitely affected her mood.
*
After Herman went to the study, she went to her room to wash up, change into her pajamas, and get ready for bed. Then, her WhatsApp chimed with a
message
When Anastasia saw it, her feelings became complicated. It was Cason. He had added her contact, and messaged. [Letâs start over]
Anastasia felt both odd and angry
Cason knew she was married, yet he had sent such a message in the middle of the night. What was he up to?
Anastasia deleted the message without responding to his message, then put her phone on silent and went to sleep
In the middle of the night, Anastasia woke up thirsty She got up groggily and went to get a drink but bumped into Herman in the dark.
âAh!â Startled, she yelled and lost her balance She instinctively grabbed onto Herman and they both fell onto the couch
Hermanâs lips just happened to land on Anastasiaâs. The softness of their lips left them both stunned, like a bolt of electricity zapping through their bodies.
In the dim setting, with their intimate pose, a few fragmented memories suddenly flashed through Anastasiaâs mind. These were parts of her forgotten
memories, and just as she tried to piece them together, her mind drew a blank again.
Meanwhile, Hermanâs mind was filled with some notâsoâkidâfriendly scenes