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

son had lied about his parents being dead to win his wife. If that cat got out

“Anastasia, you can call her ‘Aunt Aunt, this is my wife, Anastasia”

mind she thought, “Another distant

hearing that she was a distant relative, Anastasia warmly

all these relatives of Herman’s. Last time, he mentioned a

with joy. She had been worried that her two sons were pulling a fast one on her, so she had come to see for herself. Now

“Aunt, here’s some orange

you like some fruit? Let me get you some.”

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

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

afford expensive materials, she could tell at a glance that the bracelet was pricey.

is too extravagant, I can’t accept it.” Anastasia

insisted on slipping the bracelet onto Anastasia’s wrist, and said, “See, it suits

and Herman said, “Just take it, it’s her thought

it were something ordinary, she could accept it, but this was too

this

returned it to Katelyn. “Aunt, I really can’t accept such an

this bracelet back”

was worth hundreds of

and said, “Alright, I’ll keep the bracelet for you for now, but I’ll still give it to you in the future”

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,

car, she repeatedly told Herman not to mistreat her daughter–in–law and to

said,

“Son, you can’t let past

brow furrowed “Mom, you