Anastasia curled up under her cozy duvet, listening to the rain patter against the window. Sleep was elusive, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. All she yearned for was to nestle into Herman''s arms and find peace in sleep. "Herman, Herman..." she whispered into the night.


    Meanwhile, in Willowbrook, a sudden sh of lightning split the sky, followed by a crack of thunder. Herman jolted awake, a strange unease gripping him, as if someone had been calling his name. He rubbed his chest, trying to shake off the feeling, then sshed his face with cold water in the bathroom. His flight to Riverdale was scheduled for 2 PM the next day, and he was eager to be on his way.


    With sleep teasing him, Herman decided to pack his suitcase, counting down the hours until dawn. By noon, he was all set to head to the airport when Sandy burst in, panic written all over her face.


    "George, something terrible has happened! Uncle Nichs was in a car ident and is in the hospital. You need to go see him right away."


    Hearing about Nichs''s ident, Herman''s brow furrowed. "Which hospital?"


    "First Hope Hospital," Sandy replied hurriedly. "They called me; Uncle''s in the ER."


    Setting his luggage aside, Herman rushed to the hospital with Sandy. To everyone else, he was George, Nichs''s son. Despite his doubts about his own identity, until he had absolute proof, he would remain George. Nichs had always looked after him, and Herman couldn''t turn his back on that.


    The hospital was tense outside the emergency room. The family of the driver involved in the ident was there too; the driver was injured and being treated inside. The driver''s wife, sitting in the waiting area, was unhurt but frantic with worry over her husband. She exined to the traffic officer, "It wasn''t my husband''s fault. The old man walked into the road without looking. My husband tried to brake, but it was toote, and it was a green light..."


    Herman arrived just in time to hear the conversation. The ident had been caused by Nichs running a red light, leaving the driver unable to avoid the collision. In trying to avoid him, the driver crashed into a barrier, wrecking the car and injuring himself.


    A doctor emerged from the ER, calling out, "Is anyone here Nichs''s family?" Herman stepped forward. "I am. How is my father?"


    The doctor exined, "There''s severe arterial damage in his left leg, and the bone is crushed. We need to amputate to save his life. We need your consent immediately."


    The word ''amputate'' hit Herman like a blow. Sandy, who had suggested Nichs find a way to keep Herman from leaving, hadn''t anticipated such drastic consequences. But this oue certainly meant Herman couldn''t leave now.


    Herman signed the consent forms, and the doctor returned to the operating room. Hearing about the amputation left the driver''s wife visibly shaken. The prospect of hefty medical bills loomedrge, something they couldn''t afford.


    Approaching Herman, she pleaded, “Herman, it really wasn''t my husband''s fault. Your father stepped out without looking. My husband got hurt too, can''t we just call it even? The officer said it was your father''s fault, and we can''t pay for this."


    Annoyed by her nagging, Herman snapped, "Just stop talking." He had little patience for tears andints.


    Sandy, trying to calm the situation, said, "Let''s not discuss this now. We can cover the medical expenses."


    Relieved by Sandy''s assurance, the woman fell silent.


    The surgery dragged on for five long hours, and by the time it was over, it was already 5 PM, and Herman had missed his flight. He wasn''t going anywhere now. Sandy breathed a sigh of relief. Nichs''s life was spared, though he was now in the ICU. Herman went to see him, while Sandy stepped outside to take a call from Sean.


    "Hey, sis, what happened? How did Nichs end up in an ident?" Sean asked.


    "Well, he''s not the sharpest tool in the shed," Sandy replied coldly. "I just suggested he get hurt somehow to keep Herman from leaving. I didn''t think he''d go and crash into a car. Now he''s lost his leg, but at least he''s alive. I''m covering all the medical costs, so I''ve done my part."