The Bound Between Us

Chapter 3

“Anastasia, did you cook up these fake documents to fool me?” Salma was still skeptical, repeatedly questioning the authenticity of the matter.

“Mom, these are all legally binding, they must be real. If you don’t believe me, you can check it yourself, Anastasia replied –

“And what about your husband? Why didn’t you bring him to meet me?” Salma glanced at the door and continued, “I just asked you to go on a blind date and get to know the guy first. Why did you rush into marriage? You didn’t even fully understand his background”

“You know everything already, don’t you? He works at Elysian Technologies, 30 years old, stable job, not bad looking…Anastasia mentioned her interactions with Herman, saying, “He seems gentle, and his parents are both deceased, no siblings, and a simple family background. He won’t give us much headache.”

The thought of not having to deal with future mother–in–law issues made Anastasia feel relieved.

It took quite some time for Salma to process this news Holding the marriage certificate, she was torn about whether she was right to push her daughter into marriage. She knew clearly that she had pressured Anastasia, only marrying in haste to keep her happy.

Salma had a sickness, cancer, and she hadn’t told Anastasia yet. Since her last failed romance, Anastasia had been hesitant to date again She worried that when she passed away Anastasia would be alone with no one to care for her, no one to help her out, no one to feel for her. So, she pressured Anastasia into blind dates, hoping she would find a reliable man and start a family.

Now that things were set in stone, there was no use in saying anything else.

“Ana, have your husband come over and meet me. Salma sat down and said, “Even though you’re legally married now, I still need to see what kind of man he is.”

to go to work now. It’s too hot

her, Anastasia packed up and left for work. She ran a stall at the Night Market on

car. She set up shop every day at 5 o’clock

business was good, she could make about ten grand a month. It was more than enough to get by

studied jewelry design and started her own little shop when no jewelry company would hire her because of an incident a few

started getting busy. Anastasia took the opportunity to text Herman, “My mom wants to

didn’t receive a reply. A customer approached,

11 on the dot. Sitting in the van counting her earnings, her

trip in Crescent Bay. I’ll arrange the dinner when I get back in a few days.]

was a common occurrence for corporate employees.

In the following days, she was always out the door early and back late, she even

raining, and her car broke down right in

on it. This used car had given her trouble a few times

a used car was equivalent to half of her

using it

go to the mechanic again. This would cost her hundreds of dollars, which she was reluctant to