The Bond Between Us novel Chapter 647

Anastasia glanced at her phone as a message from “Leonora” popped up on WhatsApp, sending her some good vibes. She just replied with a quick “Thanks.” Over on the other side, Julie saw the response and immediately shot back another message: “Hey Anastasia, are you free this Saturday? I’m off from my side gig this week. How about we catch up over coffee?” Anastasia texted back: “Sorry, I’ve got plans.” Julie was frustrated by Anastasia’s straightforward brush-off. Deep down, Julie knew exactly what Anastasia’s Saturday plans were; it was the day for Anastasia’s prenatal checkup. Julie had been keeping tabs on Anastasia, waiting for the perfect moment to make her move. The thought of Anastasia, who was once overwhelmed by expecting just one child, now dealing with the challenges of twins, filled Julie with a twisted sense of delight. She relished the idea of making Anastasia’s life a living nightmare. In Julie’s mind, this was payback for Anastasia getting involved with her man. Meanwhile, Herman was taking care of Anastasia, preparing a warm foot soak with herbs prescribed by Dr. James, knowing it would be beneficial for her. As Anastasia enjoyed the soothing soak, she asked, “Have you thought of any names?” Gently rubbing her belly, she felt a mix of hardship and happiness. While washing her feet, Herman replied, “I’ve got a name for a girl: Emily. We can call her Emmie for short.” “I love the name Emily,” Anastasia mused, dreaming of the future. “For a boy, how about Finn? Since we live in Southridge Estates, it’d be nice if things go smoothly for him. We could nickname him ‘Bun.’” “Sounds good to me,” Herman agreed, having no objections. “I’ll be with you for the checkup tomorrow.” Herman was fully committed to supporting Anastasia, especially with the due date approaching. He had planned everything down to the last detail to avoid any surprises, with Dr. James ready for the birth. Anastasia felt reassured having Herman by her side for the prenatal visits. It was a comfort she wouldn’t have felt with anyone else, allowing her to speak her mind freely. The next morning, after breakfast, the couple headed to the hospital. During the ultrasound, Herman couldn’t take his eyes off the screen, his heart softening at the sight of his son and daughter playfully interacting inside the womb. The doctor, observing their movements, remarked, “It seems the girl is a bit more active. Both are healthy, though. Just keep an eye on their movements, especially since it’s a twin pregnancy.” “Thank you, Doctor,” Herman said. “We will.” After the checkup, Anastasia headed to the restroom, with Herman waiting outside, keeping an eye out for her. Inside the restroom, Anastasia bumped into Julie, who had been waiting there, knowing Anastasia would be at the hospital that day. Putting on an act, Julie exclaimed, “Anastasia, what a surprise! Look how big your belly has gotten. You must be close to your due date.” Anastasia, caught off guard, replied coolly, “It’s still early days. I’m just six months along.” “Oh, twins, huh? That’s amazing,” Julie feigned surprise. While washing her hands, Anastasia accidentally knocked over a small brown bottle that Julie had placed on the sink, sending it into the water. Julie panicked, quickly retrieving the bottle. It contained a chemical solution for a particularly nasty purpose. “I’m so sorry, did I ruin it? I didn’t mean to…” Anastasia apologized, noticing Julie’s fingers appeared to be peeling as she picked up the bottle.