The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 818

Monica parked her car in the lot outside her apartment building, cut the engine, grabbed her purse, and headed toward her building. The streetlights cast long shadows on the pavement, stretching her silhouette—until she noticed another figure, just at the edge of the light. Instinctively, she glanced back and nearly jumped out of her skin.

“Whoa! You scared me!” she blurted out.

It was Alisa.

Alisa was wrapped up in a tracksuit, hood pulled low over her face, hands shoved deep in her pockets. She looked wrecked, like she hadn’t slept in days.

Desperation had finally pushed Alisa here—debt collectors were at her door, and she didn’t know where else to turn.

Monica stared, surprised. “Alisa? What are you doing here?”

Trying to sound bold, Alisa said, “I came to talk about Jason. Give me two hundred thousand, and I’ll let him go. He’s yours.”

Monica blinked, then broke into a laugh. “Did I hear you right? Alisa, you can’t be serious.”

She was honestly amused. She’d had men try to scam her for money before, but a woman? This was a first.

“Two hundred thousand,” Alisa insisted, her voice trembling. “That’s nothing to you. Jason is worth way more than that, right? I’m being fair. Next time, I’ll ask for more.”

Monica rolled her eyes. “Get out of here before I lose my patience. Who do you think you are, trying to blackmail me? There are only two women in this world I’d ever spend money on—my mom and Ana. You really thought you’d get cash out of me? You must be out of your mind.”

She started toward her building, but Alisa grabbed her arm, eyes desperate.