The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia was burning up with fever, shivering one moment and sweating the next.

Panicking, Salma rushed to find Dr. James. "Dr. James, you have to come quickly! Ana suddenly has a high fever."

"Stay calm, I'm on it," James assured her.

Anastasia drifted in and out of consciousness, sometimes feeling freezing and other times burning hot.

James took her temperature with a thermometer. "39.5°C. We need to bring her fever down fast. Aunt Salma, do we have any fever reducers? Check the medicine cabinet, second shelf. It's labeled. Hurry!" "Right away," Salma replied, hurrying off to get the medication.

As soon as Salma left, James checked Anastasia's pulse and his expression turned serious. He let go of her wrist, went to the bathroom, and soaked a towel in cold water. Returning, he gently placed the towel on Anastasia's forehead to cool her down. "Dr. James, I got the medicine," Salma said, coming back with the pills. "Is it this one, ibuprofen?"

"That won't be necessary," James said, putting the pills aside. "In Anastasia's condition, she can't take any fever reducers. Aunt Salma, could you prepare some warm water? We need to sponge her down to reduce the fever. I'll go grab some cooling patches." Salma was confused. "Why can't she take the medicine?"

James glanced at Anastasia, who was delirious with fever. "She's pregnant."

Salma thought she must have misheard, her heart swelling with surprise and joy. "Dr. James, is it true? Ana's really pregnant? She can still have children?"

Salma knew well the state of Anastasia's health and had not held out much hope.

James nodded. "When I checked her pulse just now, it was clear. She's pregnant. It's nothing short of a miracle. The last time I did a full check-up on her, her health was in bad shape, and the chances of conception were slim. Yet here we are." Salma couldn't help but smile. "Heaven must be looking out for Ana."

She whispered a prayer of thanks into the air.

Now that Anastasia was pregnant, fever reducers were off the table. James had to rely on alternative methods to manage her fever.

That night was tough on Anastasia, with Salma by her side, caring for her every need. It wasn't until dawn that the fever finally broke.

Anastasia slept heavily, and when she finally woke up, it was nearly noon.

Opening her eyes, she looked out the window and felt as if she had been asleep for years. Everything was so still.

Salma came in with some warm water, delighted to see Anastasia awake. "Ana, are you feeling any discomfort? You must be hungry. I had the housekeeper whip up some cream of wheat. I'll bring you a bowl." Anastasia asked, "Mom, where's Herman? Hasn't he come back yet?"

"No, your husband hasn't returned since he went out last night. He must be busy," Salma replied. "You've just gotten over your fever, and you're still weak. Rest up, and I'll get you something to eat."

"Mom, I'm not really hungry," Anastasia said, feeling drained and tasteless.

"You need to eat, sweetheart. You and the baby need the nutrition," Salma insisted.noveldrama

Anastasia paused, confused. "What baby?"

Salma beamed. "You're pregnant! Dr. James confirmed it himself. Your resistance was probably down because of the pregnancy, and with all the stress lately, it's no wonder you came down with a fever. Now that it's passed, you need to take care of yourself. The better you are, the better for the baby."

"Pregnant?" Anastasia's voice was barely above a whisper. She placed a trembling hand on her abdomen, disbelief washing over her. She had longed for a child, and now, in her time of sorrow, she was carrying new life.

She had wanted a child so much in the past, but now that it was happening, joy was not the emotion filling her heart.

The timing of this child's arrival couldn't be worse.

If she had this baby, Pattie might truly be forgotten by everyone.

Anastasia feared that Herman, her mother, the Salstroms-everyone might shift their focus to the new child and leave Pattie's memory behind. She was also worried she might do the same. Could she love them both equally?

Salma's voice broke through her thoughts, still smiling. "Yes, you're pregnant. Dr. James said so himself. When your husband gets back, we'll share the good news. It's a happy day for our family." Anastasia asked softly, with a tinge of worry, "But what about Pattie?"