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

“Distant relative. You should call me ‘aunt,” Katelyn chimed 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 win his wife. If that cat got out of the bag, he would lose his wife, and it would be a disaster.

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

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

Upon hearing that she was a distant relative, Anastasia warmly said, “Aunt, please come in and sit down.”

Anastasia really had no clue about all these relatives of Herman’s. Last time, he mentioned a distant brother, now there was an aunt.

Katelyn’s heart swelled 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 that she had met her daughter–in–law, she was reassured.

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

Then she washed some fruits for Katelyn. “Aunt, would you like some fruit? Let me get you some.”

Katelyn was grinning from ear to ear. “Ana, don’t fuss, take a load off. Let Herman do the work, you can’t spoil him. I’m thrilled about your marriage”

Katelyn took off her diamond bracelet and said, “I didn’t bring anything else with me, so consider this your wedding gift, please accept it.”

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

“Aunt, this gift is too extravagant, I can’t accept it.” Anastasia was taken aback.

“It’s not at all I have many like this at home.” Katelyn insisted on slipping the bracelet onto Anastasia’s wrist, and said, “See, it suits you perfectly, complements your skin tone.”

Anastasia was at a loss, and Herman said, “Just take it, it’s her thought that counts.”

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

couldn’t be this clueless.

Anastasia took off the bracelet 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”

Katelyn was even more pleased with Anastasia’s refusal to accept the gift, which was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It proved that she wasn’t a gold–digger

Katelyn chuckled and said, “Alright, I’ll keep the bracelet for you for now, but I’ll still give it to you in the future” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Anastasia didn’t 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 see Katelyn out

Katelyn was reluctant 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.

Herman only said, “No rush”

Katelyn said, “Son, you can’t let past deceptions_”

Herman cut her off, his brow furrowed “Mom, you should get going”

Realizing she had touched a nerve, Katelyn fell silent and left

Herman headed out to drop Katelyn off, while Anastasia stayed home to clean up. By the time Herman got back, she had finished her chores.

I’m off to the market to sell some stuff at five. But first, I gotta swing by my mom’s place, and then I be back in the afternoon.

Anastasia hadn’t seen her mother in a few days, and she had a few things she wanted to ask her Herman also had stuff to do, so Anastasia drove home by herself.

Salma, who had the day off, was at home. Seeing Anastasia return, she was delighted

“Ana, why are you back on your own? Where’s my son–in–law?”

“He’s got stuff to do Anastasia walked into the house, switched her shoes, and said, “I remembered some things from yesterday, but it’s all a bit foggy

During the time I was depressed, what exactly did I forget? Mom, did I forget something really important?”

I’m not sure…

Hearing this, Salma’s face paled noticeably. She stuttered, “You’re overthinking again Haven’t I told you before? You were wrongfully accused of plagiarism, and then that guy Cason moved overseas. You got upset over this and fell ill. You haven’t brought this up in ages, why are you asking about it now?”