The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Maggie was caught off guard seeing Julie, and Julie was equally shocked to spot a baby nestled in Joseph's arms.

The baby looked about four or five months old, the same age her own son would be by now. She had no idea where Rowan had taken her child. Now, seeing the baby with Joseph, her mind went blank as if struck by lightning. Julie's eyes were glued to the baby. "Whose child is this?" she asked.

Joseph, playing it cool, said, "My little secret. Isn't he adorable?"

Since Joseph and Julie never officially got married, and their wedding was cut short, Julie's son was indeed without legal status, a true love child.

Hearing that the baby was Joseph's, Julie realized instantly-this was her son. She hadn't seen him since birth, and now, seeing how chubby and cute he was, the bit of resentment she had melted away, replaced by a spark of maternal love. "Adorable," Julie said, unable to look away, "Can I hold him?"

She had never held her own son before.

Joseph, noticing Julie's reaction, smirked with a knowing smile, "You're not worthy."

Julie seethed inside but kept her cool.

The baby, content in Joseph's arms, giggled now and then, his chubby cheeks irresistibly charming.

Julie's heart ached with longing, "What's his name?"

Joseph, gently pinching Daria's cheek, said, "His granddad named him Daria. Even though his mom's not the best, Daria turned out well, taking after me. If he looked like his mom, I might have left him in the woods." These words were aimed right at Julie.

Julie clenched her fists, trying to stay calm, "If you hate his mother so much, why let her have him?"

Joseph looked at Julie coldly, "It wasn't my choice. She insisted on having him. My biggest regret is that he came from her. Bad luck."

His disdain was clear.

Remembering past insults, Julie's anger deepened. She eyed the silverware on the table, tempted to end Joseph right there.

Joseph loved provoking Julie, finding it both thrilling and amusing.

"Ms. Kayleigh, let's eat before it gets cold. I said his mom was desperate, not you. Don't take it personally," Joseph teased before placing Daria in a stroller, handing him a toy.

A waiter came by with a cart, serving duck soup.

The waiter stumbled, spilling the soup, and Julie instinctively moved to protect the baby.

Crash!

The soup bowl shattered on the floor.

The waiter, pale with fear, quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry."

As Julie moved to shield the baby, Joseph instinctively shielded her, ending up with soup all over his suit.

Julie, unharmed, turned to see Joseph protecting her in a half-embrace. For a moment, her heart softened, and Joseph seemed less despicable.noveldrama

But the feeling was fleeting, unable to erase Joseph's cruelty. And Joseph was not Herman; she could never love Joseph.

Annoyed with his stained suit, Joseph snapped at the waiter, "Get out of here, and don't let me see you in Riverdale again. Bad luck."

Joseph, frustrated, headed to the restroom to clean up.

With Joseph gone and the waiter scuttling away, Julie couldn't resist any longer. She picked up Daria, kissed him softly, whispering, "Daria, I'm your mom. Say 'mommy." Even the hardest heart softens in front of their child.

Behind the bar, Maggie captured the tender moment and quickly sent it to Herman.

Herman was in the restroom, his phone left on the table. Anastasia noticed the message from Maggie and curiously reached for the phone...