It seemed like his son wasying down thew now. Feiman found himself in a bit of a bind. If sweet-talking her back home had been an option, he''d have done it ages ago.


    And no way was he dragging Anastasia into this. Katelyn mustn''t find out that he and Herman had cooked up a n to get her to move back to Salstrom Manor. It would just break her heart. Feiman needed to handle this on the down-low. After mulling it over, he hit upon an idea-he''d pretend to be sick.


    Taking a leaf out of Tavon''s book, since Tavon had a stroke and Salma took him in to care for him, Feiman decided to fake a medical emergency. The next day, he whipped up a bogus medical report and fibbed to Katelyn, saying he had cancer and was running out of time. He told her he wanted to spend hisst days with her by his side.


    Katelyn, hearing the news, rushed back to Salstrom Manor, clearly upset.


    "Feiman, Feiman," she called as she hurried upstairs.


    Feiman, hearing her approach, quicklyy down, feigning illness. As Katelyn entered, he put on a weak act, "Katelyn, you''re back."


    "Is it true? Do you really have cancer? Did you get checked?" Katelyn asked, worry etched on her face.


    Feiman nodded, "I went to three different hospitals, and they all said the same thing. I don''t have much time left. I just want to spend myst days with you. Please, don''t tell the boys. It''s terminal. Telling them will only break everyone''s heart."


    "How could this happen? You seemed fine before. Didn''t you go for regr check-ups?" Katelyn''s voice was shaky with emotion. "Did the doctor really say there''s no hope? I should call Dr. James and have him take a look."


    "No need to trouble anyone. If Herman and Flynn find out..." Feiman said convincingly, "I don''t want them to worry. Having you back here is enough for me."


    Katelyn, looking at the fake report, believed him. She didn''t tell Herman and Flynn, fearing they couldn''t handle the truth.


    Feiman''s simple wish to have Katelyn back was something she couldn''t refuse. So, she moved back to Salstrom Manor.


    Anastasia was caught off guard by Katelyn''s sudden return. Katelyn didn''t spill the real reason, only vaguely mentioned wanting to live at Salstrom Manor again. Anastasia was puzzled, but Herman was in the loop.


    That night, Anastasia asked Herman, "What''s going on with Mom? She seemed so attached to Emmie and Nancy. Why did she move back to Salstrom Manor?" "Isn''t this a good thing?" Herman chuckled, "It gives Mom and Dad a chance to patch things up, and everyone can be more at ease."


    Anastasia gave Herman a skeptical look, "Did you have anything to do with this? Did you give your dad some advice to make your mom move out?"


    "That''s not important," Herman said, pulling Anastasia closer to shift gears, "Did Collin say something silly to you? He came clean to me after sobering up." "Don''t worry, I don''t get jealous," Anastasia replied, "That''s all in the past."


    He didn''t mind her past, so why should she dwell on his?


    Herman sighed, "Anastasia, I didn''t tell you before because I didn''t think it was necessary. I wasn''t trying to keep it from you."


    "It really wasn''t necessary," Anastasiaughed, "My husband''s quite the charmer, having a fling isn''t surprising. But seriously, you don''t remember what she looked like? Not even a little bit?"


    Herman looked at Anastasia''s curious expression. He couldn''t possibly admit that the woman back then had left him feeling as if he were entangled in a passionate whirlwind, much like when he was with Anastasia. If Anastasia knew that, she''d surely feel uneasy and jealous.


    Herman shook his head, "I don''t remember. I had too much to drink, and it was so long ago. Let''s just leave it in the past."


    Anastasia gave a soft hum, "I know what you''re thinking. You''re just saying that so I won''t get jealous."


    Herman smiled and changed the topic, "I''m going on a business trip tomorrow. Want to join me?"


    "Where to?" Anastasia asked, resting her head on his chest.


    "Springfield," Herman replied, "The weather''s nice there. Once I''m done with work, we can stay a few days, do some sightseeing."


    "That''s too far," Anastasia felt torn about leaving their three kids, "You go ahead. I''ll be here waiting for you."


    Herman understood her sentiment and said, "Alright, I''lle back as soon as I can."


    The trip would take Herman away for at least two weeks.


    The next day, Anastasia packed Herman''s clothes and saw him off.


    Herman took two assistants and two bodyguards-Nelson and Dailey were naturally part of the entourage.


    Christen stayed behind at Southridge Estates to help out Anastasia.


    During a chat with Christen, Anastasia learned that it was Rowan who had shielded her when Julie mistook Christen for her and tried to stab her. Anastasia was shocked, "Why did he protect me?"


    She wasn''t aware that Rowan was the same man she had encountered in the elevator at the Crescent Bay hotel.


    Christen shook his head, "Not sure. Dailey and I were puzzled too. He''s one of Asher''s guys."


    Anastasia''s curiosity was piqued, "Do you have a picture? I''d like to see."


    After Rowan had fled, Dailey had pulled up his records and had a photo.


    Christen showed Anastasia the picture.


    Seeing Rowan without a mask made Anastasia feel a sense of familiarity, "I feel like I''ve seen him somewhere before..."