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

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,

gave his mother a faint smile and said, “Anastasia, you can call her

Anastasia’s mind she thought,

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

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

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, she was reassured.

“Aunt, here’s

you like some fruit? Let

don’t fuss, take a load off. Let

“I didn’t bring anything else with me, so consider

she couldn’t afford expensive materials, she could tell

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

I have many like this at home.” Katelyn insisted on slipping the bracelet onto Anastasia’s wrist,

and Herman said, “Just take

accept it, but this was too expensive. And the giver was a distant relative of hers; she

be this clueless.

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

this bracelet back”

was even more pleased with Anastasia’s refusal to accept the gift, which was worth hundreds

keep the bracelet for you for now, but I’ll still

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

repeatedly told Herman not to mistreat her daughter–in–law and to bring her

said, “No rush”

you can’t

brow furrowed “Mom, you