A tear slipped down Anastasia''s cheek, a mix of excitement and pure thrill coursing through her. It was him. Finally, she remembered that night—it was Herman. Ovee with emotion, Anastasia pushed Jarod away, sat up, and burst intoughter. But soon, theughter turned into sobs filled with regret. Why had it taken her so long to remember? Herman was the only man she had ever been with. Their fates had been intertwined eight years ago.


    People often remarked how much Pattie resembled Herman, how she looked so much like Emmie too. Pattie was Herman''s daughter. Anastasia pieced together the mystery that Gianna never revealed and the secret Cynthia stubbornly kept, even when Gianna ended up in prison. Of course, they wouldn''t say anything- Herman was Pattie''s real father. Pattie was truly the eldest daughter of the Salstrom family.


    Jarod was startled by Anastasia''sughter, watching her from the floor where she had pushed him. "Anastasia..." Her forehead glistened with sweat, a side effect of the medication. Her tousled hair added a wild allure that made Jarod swallow hard. Anastasia stood unsteadily and made her way toward the door. Jarod scrambled to his feet, determined to follow her.


    He was beyond self-control now, the only woman in the room was Anastasia. At this point, he thought he could even take on a wild horse. Just as Anastasia reached the door, Jarod grabbed her. In the ensuing struggle, Anastasia fell, and Jarod came down after her.


    Anastasia was furious and desperate. "Jarod, youy a finger on me, and I swear you''ll regret it." Fueled by fragments of memory and thoughts of Herman, her head spun under the influence of the drugs, Jarod''s features blending with Herman''s in her mind.


    "Anastasia, Anastasia, they say it''s worth it to die under the cherry blossoms." Jarod was beyond reason. "I''ll treat you right from now on, no other women, just you."


    "Let go!" Anastasia kicked at him,


    and in the chaos, her foot connected with his forehead. The kick was


    hard. Jarod winced in pain, angs


    boiling over, his mind reduced to a primal state. He tore at Anastasia''s jacket, but just then, the door burst open. Before Anastasia could see who entered, Jarod was kicked under the coffee table with a yelp.


    Anastasia looked up, dazed, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw Herman. Her lips moved instinctively, "Honey..." In her heart, she felt vulnerable, longing for Herman to protect her as he always did when she was in trouble. But it wasn''t Herman who stood there. It was Rowan.


    "Anastasia." Rowan took one look at her and understood the situation. With a fierce expression, he helped her put her jacket back on, lifted her into his arms, and carried her out.


    Outside the room, Melody had been curious about themotion. She saw Anastasia looking disheveled in Rowan''s arms and hurried after them. "Hey, who are you, and where are you taking her?"


    Melody had worked at the club long enough to recognize when something was off. Remembering how Anastasia once helped her out and knowing her social standing, Melody followed, ready to assist if


    needed and perhaps earnes


    Anastasia''s favor.