Anastasia forced a small smile. "Mom, you''re overthinking it. Just go home. Patty needs you more right now. I''m fine, really."


    But how could she possibly be fine? She was supposed to have two more months, but at five months, the baby was gone. The pain in Anastasia''s heart was something no one else could understand. Salma thought about Patty and knew Anastasia wouldn''t leave her little sister alone. So she decided not to press further.


    "Alright, I''ll head home then. I''lle back tomorrow," Salma said. "I''ll bring Patty along to pick you up from the hospital."


    Anastasia''s lips curled slightly. "Okay, Mom, could you make some of your famous dumplings for tomorrow?"


    It was the first time Anastasia had smiled since the miscarriage.


    Salma felt a wave of relief, thinking Anastasia was beginning to move forward. Her eyes welled up with tears as she said, "Of course, I''ll make you dumplings tomorrow."


    "Okay." Anastasia leaned back against the headboard, a faint smile lingering as she watched her mom leave.


    Salma felt much better and said her goodbyes to Herman before leaving.


    Once Salma had gone, Herman entered the room. He sat by the bed, unsure of what to say. Anastasia didn''t seem keen on talking either, so they sat in silence.


    Anastasia caught the scent of alcohol on Herman. "You''ve been drinking again?"


    It wasn''t the first time. After returning with his friend Flynn, Herman had gotten drunk. The next day when he came to the hospital, Anastasia had smelled the alcohol but hadn''t mentioned it. Herman was surprised when Anastasia spoke to him. He quickly responded, "Just a little... I had a few drinks with Flynn."


    He had promised Anastasia he wouldn''t drink again, but his anxiety had driven him to it.


    Anastasia nodded, her gaze distant. "That''s nice," she muttered.


    "Anastasia," Herman began hesitantly, "Do you want to rest?"


    Anastasia looked at him longingly. "I want to go for a walk. Is that okay?"


    She had been cooped up in the hospital for ten days.


    Herman was overjoyed that Anastasia was talking to him and making a request. "Of course," he said enthusiastically, "I''ll find a wheelchair and we can go around the hospital grounds. I''ll make sure you''re bundled up against the cold." Anastasia didn''t object and agreed.


    Herman quickly found a wheelchair, wrapped her in a thick coat and scarf, ensuring she was protected from the chilly wind. He then carefully lifted her into the wheelchair and pushed her around the hospital''s small park. The sky was painted with the beautiful hues of dusk.


    As Anastasia looked up at the sky, memories flooded back. "Herman, the day we met, the weather was just as beautiful as it is today. Time has flown by so fast. We''ve known each other for over a year now. A year ago, I couldn''t have imagined that we would be married." Herman slowly pushed the wheelchair around the park, his voice warm. "Once you''re feeling better, we''ll have all the time in the world. I promised we''d go on a honeymoon. We''ll go see the Northern Lights."


    "The Northern Lights?" Anastasia said. "I''ve only seen pictures of them. They''re beautiful."


    Herman stopped and knelt beside her, taking her hands in his. "Anastasia, I know you''re hurting. Just because you''re talking to me doesn''t mean you''ve forgiven me. I know what you''re thinking, and I''m sorry for not being able to save our baby. Once you''re discharged, let''s take Patty and go live abroad for a while. Just the three of us. What do you say?"


    Perhaps the best way for Anastasia to forget her sorrow was to leave the ce where it happened.


    Herman had been discussing with Flynn to take over thepany while he took a year off to spend with Anastasia.


    With Flynn at the helm and the support of their trusted colleague Feiman, Herman was confident that Elysian Technologies would still be standing when he returned.


    After everything that had happened, Herman realized that nothing was more important than the happiness of his family.


    Tears welled up in Anastasia''s eyes as she held Herman''s hand tightly. "Herman," she choked out, "I don''t regret marrying you. You''ve been good to Patty and to me. I love you, and I want to grow old with you. No regrets."


    As she spoke, tears streamed down Anastasia''s face, and she leaned in to kiss Herman.


    It was the first time she had openly admitted to him that she loved him.


    Herman held her close and deepened the kiss. His only wish was for her to find happiness again, no matter what it took.


    The setting sun cast a warm glow over them as they kissed, the falling leaves creating a picturesque scene around them. Time seemed to stand still, capturing a beautiful moment in their lives.


    That night, for the first time since the incident, Herman was able to sleep next to Anastasia. They spokete into the night, and eventually, exhaustion took over and Herman drifted off to sleep. He wasforted by Anastasia''s presence and the familiar scent of her. It was the first peaceful sleep he''d had in days.


    Herman had drifted into sleep, but Anastasia was wide awake. She stared at him with tear-filled eyes, reluctantly stroking his face. She knew in her heart this might be thest time she''d touch his face, thest time she''d remember his features.


    With a heavy heart, Anastasia continued to gaze at him, tenderly kissing his cheek, his lips.


    Herman, exhausted, did not react. Anastasia said her silent goodbyes, carefully got up, slipped into her coat, and left the hospital alone.


    When Herman woke, it was already morning. The space next to him was empty, devoid of Anastasia.


    At first, Herman didn''t think much of it until he searched the hospital high and low and still found no sign of Anastasia. Panic set in.


    Salma arrived with Patty to pick up Anastasia from the hospital, and learning of her disappearance, they too became frantic. Salma queried, "Son-inw, where could Ana have gone?"


    Patty also worried, "Daddy, I want Mommy."


    Herman thought back to Anastasia''s unusual behavior the day before. Realization dawned on him; she had nned this.


    Thinking of something, Herman immediately called Feiman. "Dad, is Grandma Anita at home?"


    Upon receiving the call and sensing Herman''s icy tone, Feiman thought Herman was about to confront Grandma Anita again. "Your grandmother admits her mistakes. She''s been sick in bed, hasn''t left for days. She keeps muttering apologies to Anastasia and you. She wanted to end it all, but I stopped her..."


    As Feiman talked, he approached Grandma Anita''s room. Upon opening the door and finding her missing, hisplexion changed. He told Herman on the phone, "Your grandmother isn''t home. I don''t know when she left."


    With Anastasia missing and Grandma Anita not at the Salstrom Manor, Herman quickly ended the call and turned to Salma. "Mom, take Patty home. I have to find Anastasia."