Monica really didn''t want to bring it up. After all, Anastasia needed her rest. But seeing Pattie''s cautious demeanor, she couldn''t resist venting a little.


    Anastasia had only just woken up and wasn''t clued in on many things. She hadn''t noticed anything off.


    Anastasia chuckled, "It''s not as dramatic as you think. I can''t leave the hospital yet, and Herman''s mom taking the kids back to Salstrom Manor makes sense. Once I''m out, we''ll bring them home." Monica decided not to mention the whole disinfection setup Katelyn had arranged.


    "Take care, Ana. I''ll head back now ande see you another day."


    As Monica left, Anastasia wanted to ask if Monica had moved past the Jason situation, but the words just didn''te out.


    After Monica left, Herman hurried back to the hospital after seeing Salma and the others off.


    Feeling tired, Anastasia dozed off for a bit, waking up in the dead of night.


    Anastasia was on a four-meal-a-day n, specially prepared postnatal dishes that didn''t add weight but packed in the nutrition.


    Without much of an appetite, Anastasia ate sparingly-but with four meals a day, she was never truly hungry.


    "How can you stay with me all day? What about thepany?" Anastasia asked.


    "If I stepped away for a bit, thepany would copse, and all those efforts would go to waste," Herman joked. "You''re the priority now. Thepany''s in good hands with the management." Anastasia smiled, "What''s the cost per day at this postnatal center?"


    "Eighty grand a day."


    Anastasia winced at the price, "That''s outrageous. Ordinary folks don''t need to spend that much for postnatal care. Eighty grand could be a lifetime''s earnings for some."


    Herman gently stroked her head, "You''re such a penny-pincher, worrying about this. After all you''ve been through, I''m the one who should be worried."


    Thisforting exchange brought a smile to Anastasia''s face, "I worry about the money, and you worry about me. Weplement each other perfectly."


    "Honey, I know it''s been tough following my lead," Herman said sincerely, holding her hand. "Despite the wealth and mour, joining my life has brought its share of hardships, this time nearly costing your life. I wish I could bear those burdens instead." Hearing the emotion in Herman''s voice, a man on the verge of tears, reminded Anastasia of the dangers she faced during childbirth, filling her with dread.


    "It''s all about give and take. Now that we have Emmie and little South, we have no regrets. Without taking a chance, even with a wonderful life, we''d always feel something was missing. What about Pattie in the future? Who will look after her once we''re gone?" Herman reassured her, "James is working on a cure for Pattie''s voice. If it''s sessful, I''ve said it before, everything the Salstrom family has will be hers."


    He had always insisted on treating all their children equally.


    Touched, Anastasia''s eyes moistened, "Thank you, dear. I know how much you care for Pattie."


    "Once you''re out of here, focus on recovering. You''ve been through a lot, and working should be thest thing on your mind this year. Just take care of yourself and enjoy life."


    Laughing, Anastasia replied, "You know me so well, it''s like you can read my mind. I had been thinking about starting a jewelry design business after recovering, but you''ve just blocked that path."


    "There''s plenty of time for dreams, but this year of recovery is crucial. It''s a one-time opportunity," Herman said with adoration. "Once you''re better, anything you want, I''m all ears. But for now, we do this my way." Having Herman''s support made Anastasia truly happy, "Alright, your way it is."


    "Let''s get some sleep," Herman suggested, gently touching her forehead before joining her in bed, holding her close for security andfort.


    In the quiet of the night, Monica''s words echoed in Anastasia''s mind. Emmie and Pattie looked astonishingly simr despite having different fathers. Anastasia''s genes couldn''t be that dominant, could they?


    A seed of doubt was nted, and curiosity about Pattie''s biological father grew. She knew Cynthia would have the answers, but that conversation would have to wait.