The Bound Between Us

Chapter 22

She’d been busting her chops over Herman’s marriage, practically hunting for a perfect spouse for him.

Herman went and tied the knot without telling the family. If it wasn’t for Flynn spilling the beans, Katelyn would still be in the dark

Katelyn craned her neck, itching to see what her daughter–in–law looked like Herman quickly grabbed Katelyn’s arm, stopping her from going in, and whispered, “Mom, why didn’t you give me a heads up?”

He now regretted involving Flynn in finding a house because the guy had a mouth like a sieve.

Katelyn shot Herman a look and said. “You got hitched without telling us. I’m here to see my daughter–in–law, not you”

Herman, Don’t frighten her…”

“I know, I’m not some sort of ogre. You look like a cat on a hot tin roof. It’s hilarious,” Katelyn chuckled, growing more excited to see why her usually cool–as–a–cucumber son was all rattled up.

Inside, Anastasia, who was having breakfast, could hear Herman gabbing away outside the door but couldn’t make out what he was saying or to whom.

Anastasia curiously walked over. “Herman”

The sight of Herman in conversation with a stylishly dressed matron puzzled her even more.

On seeing Anastasia, Katelyn’s eyes lit up. “She’s a locker, like a delicate young lady,” she gushed.

From the get–go, Katelyn was smitten with Anastasia. She was over the moon with her new daughter–in–law.

Anastasia looked at Herman in confusion.

Herman said, “Anastasia, this is my

in, not letting her son be put on the spot. She found out from her younger son Flynn that her elder son had lied about his parents being dead to

faint smile and said, “Anastasia, you can call her ‘Aunt Aunt, this is my wife,

she thought, “Another

was a distant relative, Anastasia warmly said,

relatives of Herman’s. Last time, he mentioned a distant brother, now there was an

worried that her two sons were pulling a fast one on her, so she had come to see for herself. Now that she had met her daughter–in–law,

glass of juice. “Aunt, here’s some orange juice

would you like

ear. “Ana, don’t fuss, take a load off. Let Herman do the work, you can’t spoil him. I’m thrilled

took off her diamond bracelet and said, “I didn’t bring anything else with me, so consider this your

stuff. Even though she couldn’t afford expensive materials, she could tell at a glance that the

can’t accept

on slipping the bracelet onto Anastasia’s

said, “Just take it, it’s

If it were something ordinary, she could accept it, but this was too expensive. And the giver was a distant relative of hers;

be this clueless.

it to Katelyn. “Aunt, I really can’t accept such an expensive gift. I have received your well–wishes,

this bracelet back”

was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It proved

you for now,

an expensive bracelet to a distant relative instead of someone closer She didn’t know the ropes and was too shy to ask. Herman was also worried that Katelyn’s enthusiasm would raise suspicions. After a while, he found an excuse to see Katelyn

As she got into the car, she repeatedly told Herman not to mistreat her

said,

can’t let past deceptions_”

his brow furrowed