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.”

can all have dinner together tomorrow, Anastasia said. “Mom, I have to go to work now. It’s too hot outside, and you’re not in good health. Just rest at home and don’t go out.”

and left for work. She ran a stall at the Night Market on Alder Drive, selling handmade crafts she

set up shop every

month. It was more than

her own little shop when no jewelry company would hire her because of an

Anastasia took the opportunity to text Herman,

the message, she didn’t receive a reply. A customer approached, and Anastasia got busy, not giving

good tonight, Anastasia made over four hundred dollars. She packed up at 11 on the dot. Sitting in the van counting

was a text from Herman. [Sorry, I’m on a business trip in Crescent Bay. I’ll

a common occurrence for corporate employees. Anastasia understood and

from before. In the following days, she was always out the door early and back late,

midnight. It started raining, and her car broke down right in front

umbrella to check on it. This used car had given her trouble a few times before. While it never had any major issues, minor ones

want to buy a new car because the price of a used car was equivalent to half of her annual income. She could only afford to fix it

using it

she would have to go to the mechanic again. This would cost her