Anastasia and Monicanded at Riverdale Airport that evening. Christen was there to pick them up, and as they pulled into Southridge Estates, Anastasia felt a lump in her throat at the sight of apple blossoms in the yard. Herman had nted them for her, knowing how much she loved them. He''d personally bought and nted each tree.


    Now, the blossoms were in full bloom, but the person who promised to enjoy them with her was gone.


    "Ana," Salma called out, hearing the car engine stop. She rushed out, her face lighting up at the sight of Anastasia.


    Anastasia turned, her voice hoarse, "Mom."


    "Look at you, you''ve lost so much weight," Salma eximed, shocked by Anastasia''s appearance. She looked gaunt, eyes sunken, skin pale and dry, lips chapped, her face dotted with blemishes. The healthy glow she once had was gone.


    Salma''s heart ached.


    "I''m okay, Mom," Anastasia tried to reassure her with a smile, but it was so forced it only made Salma''s heart ache more.


    Monica chimed in, "Aunt Salma, let''s head inside."


    "Yes, yes, let''s get indoors," Salma agreed, taking Anastasia''s hand and leading her inside. She turned her face away, wiping tears from her eyes where Anastasia couldn''t see.


    Upstairs, Pattie was doing her homework. Hearing themotion, she dashed down the stairs and, as soon as she saw Anastasia, burst into tears.


    Pattie flung herself into Anastasia''s arms, terrified that her parents would nevere back.


    As Pattie cried, Anastasia cried too, holding her daughter tightly as they wept together.


    Once the tears subsided, Anastasia gently wiped Pattie''s eyes. "There, there, no more tears. Mommy''s home now."


    Pattie''s eyes remained red as she signed, "Mom, I missed you and Dad. Is Dad back too?"


    Mentioning Herman sent another pang through Anastasia''s heart. "I''m sorry, sweetheart. Mommy couldn''t bring Daddy back. I''m so sorry."


    Fearing the topic would upset Anastasia further, Monica stepped in. "Pattie, your mom''s very tired from the trip. How about you let her rest for a bit, and I''ll y with you?"


    Pattie nodded understandingly, "Okay, Mommy, you rest."


    Noticing the absence of Emmie and Nancy, Anastasia asked Salma, "Where are Emmie and Nancy? Are they asleep?"


    Salma hesitated before replying, "Your mother-inw took them to Salstrom Manor."


    Upon returning from Springfield, Katelyn had brought the


    vel


    grandchildren back to Salstrom Manor. They were the Salstrom family''s bloodline, and Salma couldn''t object. Besides, with Herman gone, the grandchildren were Katelyn''s only sée. Salma couldn''t bear to say anything against it.


    Hearing her children had been taken away, Anastasia''s exhaustion was reced with determination. "I''m going to Salstrom Manor to bring my children back."


    Salma tried to reason, "Ana, it''s getting dark. Rest for the night and visit Salstrom Manor tomorrow. Bringing the children back will only deepen your inws'' grief.”


    "But they''re my children..." Anastasia suddenly realized the implications. With Herman gone, she was now a widow, and Katelyn''s quick actions to take the children felt like an attempt to im them for herself. They were Herman''s legacy, and Katelyn sought sce in them.


    Anastasia was resolute, insisting that Christen drive her to Salstrom Manor. Salma and Monica, worried about potential conflict, apanied her.


    At Salstrom Manor, Emmie and Nancy, not yet six months old, were already crawling. Most babies didn''t crawl until eight months, so their early mobility was a testament to their physical development.


    The twins yed in a padded ypen, reaching for toys,ughing together, and asionally squabbling over toys before bursting into tears.


    Since Herman''s ident, Katelyn had found strength in her grandchildren. She rarely left the house, spending her days with the babies. When she did step out, it was only to take them for a stroll.


    As Anastasia entered, the children''sughter reached her ears, guiding her to the nursery. It had been more than a month since she''d seen them, and they had changed so much in that time. The babies were chubby and adorable, like little cherubs.


    Seeing them y, a genuine smile crept onto Anastasia''s face. "Emmie, Nancy."


    She headed straight for the babies, forgetting to greet Katelyn.


    Katelyn, surprised by Anastasia''s sudden arrival, said, "Ana, you''re back."


    Anastasia scooped up Nancy, who was nearest, kissing his soft cheek. Her heart melted as she said, "Yes, Mom, I just got back. I''m here to take the twins home."