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

the spot. She found out from her younger son Flynn that her elder son had lied about his parents being dead to win his wife. If that cat got out of the bag, he would lose his wife, and it would be a disaster.

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

Anastasia’s mind she thought, “Another distant relative?”

a distant relative, Anastasia warmly said, “Aunt,

Last

two sons were pulling a fast one on her, so she had

a glass of juice. “Aunt, here’s some

for Katelyn. “Aunt, would you like some fruit? Let me get you

ear. “Ana, don’t fuss, take a load off. Let Herman

bracelet and said, “I didn’t bring anything else with me,

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

I can’t accept

on slipping the bracelet onto Anastasia’s

loss, and Herman said, “Just take it,

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

be this

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

this bracelet back”

with Anastasia’s refusal to accept the gift, which was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It proved

said, “Alright, I’ll keep the bracelet for you for

understand why Katelyn wanted to give such 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 leave As she got into the car, she repeatedly told Herman not to mistreat her daughter–in–law and to bring her home soon.

said, “No

you can’t let past deceptions_”

his brow furrowed