The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Gianna was stubborn as a mule, refusing to spill the beans about Pattie's whereabouts. She didn't trust anyone but herself. Cynthia gave up trying to get anything out of her and left with the Peppa Pig doll in tow.

Heading downstairs, Cynthia ran into her neighbor, who was with her five-year-old grandson. His eyes lit up at the sight of the Peppa Pig doll. He tugged at his grandmother's sleeve, pleading, "Nana, I want Peppa, I want it!" Unable to resist her grandson's pleas, the neighbor turned to Cynthia, "Wendy, dear, do you still want that doll? If not, maybe you could let him have it? He's taken a shine to it."

Cynthia smiled, "I'm afraid I need to keep this one. But if he likes it, you could always buy him his own."

"But you don't have kids, what do you need it for?" the neighbor pressed on. "Don't be stingy, it's just a toy. What's the harm in letting my little guy play with it?"

The boy, seeing he wasn't getting the doll, burst into tears, "Nana, I want Peppa, I want that one!"

Feeling sorry for her crying grandson, the neighbor tried again, "Wendy, it's just a toy. It's not worth much. Let him play with it for a bit..."

Cynthia, clutching the doll, made a beeline for the trash bins, "I'm sorry, but that's not happening. If you want one, you can buy it at the store. They have plenty."

The neighbor's grandson wailed even louder, and in a last-ditch act of defiance, Cynthia tossed the doll into the trash bin before heading back upstairs. The little boy, inconsolable, ran to the bin and retrieved the toy himself. The neighbor, seeing the doll was still in decent shape, decided to take it home for her grandson.

...

Over at Southridge Estates...

Salma returned home and relayed to Anastasia everything that had transpired at Cynthia's, including Gianna's ominous words.

"Ana, do you think there's really something off with Gianna? To say a child is dead, that's just cold-hearted, like cursing a child."

"Did she really say that?" Anastasia felt a chill, "Could it be that Pattie is really... really..."

"Dead or alive, we need proof," Salma said. "Without a body or sighting, anything's possible. Ana, I'll talk to your aunt again, see if she knows something."noveldrama

Without concrete evidence linking Gianna to Pattie's disappearance, Anastasia was running on gut feeling alone.

For now, Anastasia told Salma not to act rashly, deciding to keep a watchful eye on Gianna herself.

Gianna rarely left her house, making it difficult for Anastasia to trail her.

Herman was aware of Anastasia's suspicions and her obsessive behavior. He was out early and back late every day, worried sick.

That evening...

Anastasia was staking out Cynthia's complex when a familiar car pulled up beside hers.

It was Herman's.

Herman stepped out and made his way to Anastasia's car, sliding into the passenger seat.

"What are you doing here?" Anastasia was surprised.

Herman asked, "Anastasia, have you eaten dinner yet?"

Only then did Anastasia realize she had forgotten to eat.

She often got lost in her thoughts, neglecting meals.

Seeing her distant look, Herman took her hand and said, "Anastasia, you can't go on like this. Life's too long to live in a daze, like a zombie."

Anastasia, looking at Herman, stammered, "What do you mean? You want me to stop looking for Pattie?"

Herman said firmly, "I'm not asking you to give up. It's just that you can't keep going like this. Anastasia, you're only 27 years old."

"What else can I do? What can I do to bring Pattie back?" Anastasia scoffed. "Do you think I've lost my mind? I haven't, Herman, I'm very clear-headed. Pattie's disappearance has to be connected to Gianna. I will find evidence; I will bring Pattie back." "You're going to keep watching her every day?" Herman's gaze was heavy as he looked into Anastasia's eyes, pondering for a moment before saying, "Anastasia, let's have a baby."

Anastasia's pupils dilated in shock, hardly believing Herman would suggest such a thing at this moment.

"You... You've given up on Pattie?" Her voice trembled slightly. "Is that it? You've given up? Because she's not your biological daughter, you can detach so easily, just give up like that? If she were your own flesh and blood, would you still feel the same?"