The Bound Between Us

Chapter 364

Gianna couldn’t help but steal a glance, quickly averting her eyes in fear of being noticed.

Once Anastasia had finished eating, Herman cleared the table, saying, “I’m going to take out the trash. You two chat. I’ve got you a glass of water. Remember to drink it.”

Anastasia smiled. “Alright.”

Herman took the leftovers out to the garbage to avoid any lingering smells in the room. Anastasia was particularly sensitive to smells lately, easily prone to nausea and vomiting.

After Herman left, Cynthia, with a sour tone, said, “Anastasia, aren’t you lucky? To have a man like Mr. Salstrom, who is not only a public Company executive but also takes care of you personally.”

Herman’s social status was so high that Cynthia didn’t dare to act superior in front of him, always respectfully referring to him as Mr. Salstrom.

Herman didn’t say much, but his aura alone was enough to make most people feel quite intimidated. People couldn’t help but hold him in high regard.

Anastasia chuckled and said, “He prefers to do things himself. Cynthia, Gianna, please have a seat. Gianna, I’ve got the design for your coffee shop sorted out. I’ll send it to you tomorrow after I leave the hospital.”

“Thank you,” Gianna said as she sat down. “Take your time.”

Cynthia stared at Anastasia’s belly and said, “Anastasia, you’re carrying the first child of the Salstrom family. If it’s a boy, it’ll be a big deal.”

Anastasia smiled lightly. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a boy or a girl.”

Cynthia said, “It does matter. In these prominent families, boys are especially valued. If you have a girl, they’ll definitely want you to try again. Just wait and see. Your mother-in-law will definitely want a grandson.”

Gianna frowned. “Mom, why are you saying these things?”

Anastasia said, “Cynthia, my in-laws have no such thoughts. My mother-in-law visited me this morning and said she hopes it’s a girl. The Salstrom family is dominated by men, so she loves the idea of having a little girl around.”

“Those are just words…” Cynthia began, but was interrupted by the arrival of Salma and Pattie. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Salma greeted them warmly, “Cynthia, Gianna, you’re here. Pattie, say hello.”

Pattie called out, “Hello.”

Cynthia didn’t feel any particular affection for Pattie. She didn’t dislike Pattie, but she didn’t like her either. She was indifferent to this adpoted girl.

Gianna, who didn’t have any kids of her own, felt a certain kinship with children. “Pattie, you’re done with school already?”

Pattie replied, “There was an activity at school today, but I didn’t participate. I came to see Mom.”

Pattie leaned towards the bed and asked Anastasia, “Mom, has my little brother been good today?”

Before Anastasia could respond, Cynthia said teasingly, “How do you know it’s a brother? What if it’s a sister?”

Salma didn’t appreciate the joke and said with a forced smile, “A brother or a sister, it doesn’t matter.”

Pattie said firmly, “It’s a brother. It’s definitely a brother.”

Anastasia, stroking Pattie’s head, said, “Whatever Pattie says, it is. Have you been good at school today? Did you get into any trouble?”

“Mom, I’ve been very good. The teacher praised me today. We had an art class, and I drew a picture for you.” Pattie proudly took out a drawing from her bag.

Anastasia praised her, “Is this a caterpillar? Pattie, you’re so talented.”

Pattie frowned. “Mom, it’s a dragon, not a caterpillar.”

Anastasia and Salma laughed. Salma said, “I thought it was a caterpillar too. I almost made Pattie cry.”

Anastasia, still laughing, said, “I’m sorry, Pattie. Mommy was wrong. It’s a wonderful dragon. You’ve done a great job with the eyes and the nose. It’s so lifelike.” When dealing with children, it’s important to encourage and praise them, rather than criticize.

Cynthia glanced at the drawing and thought it was mediocre. Gianna shot her a look before she could say anything.

After a while, Cynthia wanted to leave, but Gianna wanted to stay a bit longer, hoping to see more of Herman,

When Herman returned from taking out the trash, he said to Salma, “Anastasia needs to rest now, Mom. Why don’t you take Pattie back first?”

This was also a hint for Cynthia and Gianna. Anastasia needed rest, but with so many people in the room, it was disruptive.

Gianna understood the implied message and said awkwardly, “Salma, I drove here. Let me take you home. Anastasia, Herman, we should be going. Take care.”

Anastasia nodded. “Thank you for sending my mom and Pattie home, Gianna.”

“No problem,” Gianna replied.

Salma said, “Ana, we’ll leave now. You rest well.”

Pattie, reluctant to leave, added, “Mom, take good care of yourself. Dad, take good care of Mom.”

Herman hugged Pattie and said, “I will. And when you go home, remember to listen to Grandma.”

Pattie waved her hand. “Goodbye, Mom and Dad.”

After a round of goodbyes, Pattie left with Salma and Gianna.

Gianna’s car was parked in the hospital parking lot. As they were about to leave, Salma remembered she forgot her phone and said, “I left my phone in the room. I’ll go get it. Pattie, wait in the car for a moment.”

Pattie nodded. “Okay.”

Gianna said, “We’ll wait for you at the main entrance.”

“Okay,” Salma agreed and went back to retrieve her phone.

Gianna parked the car at the roadside near the hospital entrance. Cynthia glanced at the well-behaved Pattie in the backseat and said, partly in jest, partly seriously, “Pattie, your mom is going to have her new baby soon. She might not need you anymore.”

attie became highly emotional. “No, that’s not true. Mom will always love me,” she protested.

Cynthia couldn’t resist teasing her a bit more. “You’re adopted, not their biological child. Now they’re having their own child. Why would they still need you?”

Pattie shook her head, repeating, “No, that’s not true.”

Gianna intervened, “Mom, stop messing with her. She’s just a kid. She might take you seriously.”

Cynthia retorted, “I’m not messing around. She’s an adopted child, not as close as their own. Anastasia will definitely love her own child more, and treat her own child better. I don’t believe they see this kid as their real daughter. I think they adopted Pattie as a good luck charm, hoping for their own child. It’s a common belief around here. Couples who can’t conceive often adopt a child for good luck, and soon enough, they have their own.”

Continuing her teasing, Cynthia said to Pattie, “Your mom adopted you because she wanted to have her own child. If she gives birth to a brother for you and you don’t behave well, she’ll stop loving you and give you away.”

Pattie started crying. “Mom will always want me. I’ll be a good girl. I’ll behave well.”

Pattie was very scared. She was reminded of her past when Penny started treating her badly after the birth of her little brother. She was constantly scolded and made to do chores. The thought of her new mom not loving or wanting her anymore made Pattie cry even harder.

Pattie’s crying left Cynthia flustered. “Why are you crying now? Stop it, or your parents will like you even less and might give you away.”

Pattie was so scared that she couldn’t even cry.