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

elder son had lied about his parents being

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

mind she thought, “Another distant relative?”

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

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

heart swelled with joy. She had been worried that her two sons were pulling a fast one on her, so she had come to

poured Katelyn a glass of juice. “Aunt, here’s some orange

washed some fruits for Katelyn. “Aunt, would you like some

was grinning from ear to ear. “Ana, don’t fuss, take a load off. Let Herman

took off her diamond bracelet and said, “I didn’t bring anything else with me, so consider this your

afford expensive materials, she could

can’t accept

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

Herman said, “Just take it, it’s her thought that counts.”

ordinary, she could accept it, but this was too expensive.

be this

it to Katelyn. “Aunt, I really can’t accept such an expensive gift. I have received your well–wishes, please take

this bracelet back”

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

for you for now, but I’ll still give it to you in the

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.

to leave As she got into the car, she repeatedly told Herman not to mistreat her daughter–in–law and to bring her home

said,

said, “Son, you can’t let

her off, his brow furrowed “Mom, you