Herman tucked the contract away, barely sparing Sandy a second nce. People like her didn''t even register on his radar.


    She''d saved him, she''d lied to him-call it square.


    He threw her a parting shot. "Let''s stay out of each other''s lives. Don''t show up in front of me or Anastasia again. Next time you fall for someone, try holding onto a shred of decency. Only animals can''t control themselves. Leave yourself a little dignity before you go doing something you''ll regret."


    It stung more than a p.


    Sandy''s face turned scarlet. He''d called her out, in as day—said she was worse than an animal, chasing after her own sister''s fiancé, without a scrap of shame.


    Herman saw right through her bitterness and fake innocence. Not worth his time, and since Tavon was close to Anastasia, tangling with the Morton Group wasn''t worth it either.


    He was above holding grudges with people like Sandy. As long as he made the boundaries clear, that was enough.


    As Herman walked out, Tavon was still waiting at the door. He tried a weak smile. "Hey, son-inw, want to grab a cup of tea?"


    "No need."


    Herman strode right past him and headed to the hospital to see Nichs.


    Tavon stood there for a second, trying to y it off, and then went back inside. He red at Sandy. "Sandy, get it together. Stop stirring up trouble."


    Sandy, still burning from Herman''s words, snapped, "If you think I''m so awful, why don''t you just tell the police what I did?"


    Tavon let out a bitterugh. "If I''d known you''d turn out this twisted, I should''ve dumped you in the trash or flushed you down the toilet. You''ve got no remorse, not even after crossing your own father."


    Sandy had a bit of Anastasia''s looks, but none of her heart. Anastasia might be sharp-tongued but she was soft inside. Sandy? All sweetness on the surface, poison underneath.


    With that, Tavon stormed out.


    Sandy, shaking with rage, trashed the office-books, pens, anything she could reach. Outside, the assistants just waited and listened, too scared to go in.


    ***


    At the hospital, Nichs was in so much pain he couldn''t sleep. He looked worn out, his hair nowpletely white.


    Sandy hadn''t sent anyone to help him in ages. Nichs was left all alone, barely eating-just a lonely old man in a hospital bed.


    But he wasn''t worried about himself.


    All he cared about was his son. Every day, he''d tell anyone who''d listen, "I''ve got a son. He''s just busy with work. He''lle see me when he gets the chance."


    Other patients families, seeing how pathetic he looked, would sometimes bring him a little of their own food. Nichs always tried to pay them back. He didn''t want to take advantage of anyone-he was already embarrassed enough.


    He was a decent man. That was his tragedy-having to bury his own child, being yed and used by Sandy.


    He was so desperate to keep Herman around, he''d once tried to fake a car ident. But he''d misjudged the angle, the driver panicked, and the wheel crushed his leg. Now it was ruined for good.


    Dinner time rolled around again. Nichs''s stomach growled. The daughter-inw of another patient brought him some food and asked, "Uncle Nick, when''s your soning to see you? You''re in such bad shape, but I''ve never seen him. If he won''t take care of you, you should


    report him. You can''t even get a proper meal."


    Nichs smiled sheepishly. "He''s just busy. He''lle, you''ll see."


    The woman sighed. She''d heard him say that over and over, but no one ever came. Word around the ward was that Nichs''s son was dead and he was just a lonely old man.


    Nichs clutched the meal she brought, fighting back the pain in his leg and the ache in his chest, and started to eat.


    He reached for his water bottle, but before he could grab it, a hand reached out, unscrewed the cap, and offered it to him. "Easy, take your time."


    Nichs froze. He looked up and there was Herman, right in front of him. Tears filled his eyes, blurring his vision.


    A single tear slid down his wrinkled cheek. It was enough to break anyone''s heart. Crumbs stuck to his lips, his face streaked with tears, looking ragged and pitiful.


    "My... my boy," Nichs choked out, voice trembling as he started to sob, not sure if he was dreaming.