The Bond Between Us novel Chapter 20

Anastasia's heart raced as she quickly turned to look at Herman, trying to gauge his reaction.

"I didn't mean to hide anything from you," she explained anxiously. "I didn't come to the reunion because of my ex. Don't get the wrong idea."

When they first met, Anastasia had mentioned a previous relationship. Judging by Cason's reaction, Herman had quickly picked up on their history. Even if Anastasia didn't have any lingering feelings, it seemed clear that Cason did.

At a stoplight, Herman parked the car steadily, looking over at her. "Anastasia, don't worry. I trust you."

Her eyes widened in surprise at his words. Any other man would have been a tad upset, even if they didn't show it.

Herman was calm, though. He wasn't 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 wasn't angry or jealous because Cason wasn't a threat.

Even though Herman wasn't bothered, Anastasia still felt the need to explain, "We 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 weren't very serious."

The light turned green, and Herman started the car. "You were a student at Riverdale College. Why did you choose to sell stuff at a night market?"

"Huh?" Anastasia was surprised. The thing Herman was curious about was pretty strange. He wasn't interested in her past with Cason?

After gathering her thoughts, she answered, "My family had some issues, so I dropped out after my first year. I didn't graduate."

Seeing her discomfort, Herman didn't press further.

Anastasia expected him to continue asking, but his silence made her uneasy. When they got back to Harmony Meadows, she couldn't help but say, "I was a design major. I loved jewelry design. But a controversy happened and caused a big fuss. I was heartbroken and couldn't handle the pressure, so I dropped out."

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 long-term treatment.

Her memory of the controversy was also blurry. Monica said she was misunderstood. The truth wasn't clear to Anastasia.

After her depression healed, she didn't dwell on the past. She started selling things at the market, making her own living. The past didn't matter anymore. What mattered was taking the right steps in the present.

Herman didn't ask any more questions because he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. She had gotten into Riverdale College but dropped out. There was surely a story there. He didn't expect Anastasia to explain voluntarily. He looked at her, his eyes filled with unspeakable tenderness. "Do you regret it?"

If Anastasia had graduated from Riverdale College, her life would definitely have been better now.

Anastasia shook her head. "I chose this path. I don't regret anything. I believe there's more than one way to success."