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

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

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

mind she thought, “Another

relative, Anastasia warmly said, “Aunt, please come in and

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

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

a glass of juice. “Aunt, here’s some orange juice for you”

would you

grinning from ear to ear. “Ana, don’t fuss, take a load off. Let Herman do the work,

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

Even though she couldn’t afford expensive materials, she could tell at

is too extravagant, I can’t

not at all I have many like this at home.” Katelyn insisted on slipping the

at a loss, and Herman said, “Just take it, it’s her thought that

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

this clueless.

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

this bracelet back”

was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It proved that she wasn’t a

for you for now, but I’ll still

and was too shy to ask. Herman was also worried that Katelyn’s enthusiasm would raise suspicions. After a while, he found an excuse

leave As she got into the car, she repeatedly told Herman not to mistreat her daughter–in–law

said, “No

can’t let past deceptions_”

her off, his brow furrowed “Mom, you should get