Anastasia caught a flicker of Julie in Layna''s eyes-that same stubborn streak, that unyielding drive to win at all costs.


    She let out a sigh. "Pattie''s just too soft. I worry she''s going to get hurt."


    Memories shed through her mind the birthday party where Layna tore up Pattie''s painting, that time as kids when Layna left Pattie waiting alone at the train station, and the lie about not seeing her when everyone knew Pattie was still with Penny West. Even now, thinking about it sent a chill down Anastasia''s spine.<fn6fc6> Latest content published on </fn6fc6>


    Herman didn''t seem fazed. He sat beside her, calm as ever. "Haven''t you noticed how much Pattie''s changed?" he said. "She''s like grass growing through concrete -no matter how tough things get, she finds a way. She''s like a little sun, warming up everyone around her. With a spirit like that, her future will only get brighter." Anastasia leaned into him, settling her head against his shoulder. "We''ve put her through so much. What kind of parents let their kid suffer like that?"


    "With kids, it''s not about making up for the past," Herman said, absentmindedly twirling her hair. "If we only focus on paying back some imaginary debt, we''ll lose our bnce with all of them. That''s the real mistake. I want Pattie to run Elysian Technologies one day."


    Pattie was the eldest, after all, and Herman had always nned to guide her in that direction.


    "Thepany''s your call," Anastasia replied. “But Emmie and Nancy-they''ve got issues with your mom. Every visit turns into a drama." She hesitated, then added, "Do you think your mom''s hitting menopause?"


    Hermanughed. "Honestly, that''s just her. I''ve talked to her a million times. She can''t let things go. She always has topete with your mom in front of the kids."


    Anastasia shot him a look. "So you do know."


    She''d tried to keep things polite, worried he might take it the wrong way.


    "I just don''t want to argue with my mom," Herman admitted. "They have totally different ways with the kids My mom''s a worrier-nothing is ever good enough. The girls are at that age where they have their own rules, and my mom just butts heads with them. I''ve told her, but it never helps. Now the girls all side with your mom, and my mom''s jealous."


    s


    "She''ll have to work it out herself," Anastasia said, shrugging. “If I say too much,


    she gets upset. When you were gone, I actually had it out with her."


    "Flynn told me," Herman said with


    grin. "Don''t hold back on my ount. If she''s out of line, calther out. If you keep giving in, shall never learn where the boundaries are."  s


    Anastasia burst outughing. "Most guys would tell their wives to just keep the


    peace, let the mother-inw have her way. Why are you so different?"


    Herman arched an eyebrow. "Are those families as happy as ours? Around here, if my wife''s happy, the whole house is happy. You married me to be loved not to put up with nonsense  s


    Anastasia broke into a huge smile, feeling lighter than ever. She reached up to cup his face. "How did I luck out with such a smart husband?"


    She was positively glowing-proud, content, and just in happy.


    When Anastasia smiled, she lit up the room like a sunflower facing the sun, her eyes sparkling with warmth and a hint of mischief, all of it reflecting him.


    Moved, Herman bent down and kissed her forehead. One kiss led to another, drifting from her nose to her lips.


    She shifted in his arms, wrapping both arms around him. Catching her breath, she found a moment to ask, "So... does the vasectomy affect you at all?"


    Herman''s lips curled into a smirk. "After all this practice, you still need to ask? Should we try again and find out?"