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

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

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

Anastasia’s mind she thought, “Another distant

she was a distant relative, Anastasia warmly said, “Aunt, please

no clue about all these relatives of Herman’s. Last time, he mentioned

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.

of juice. “Aunt, here’s some orange juice for

Katelyn. “Aunt, would you like some

“Ana, don’t fuss, take a load off. Let Herman do the

didn’t bring anything else with me, so consider this your wedding

though she couldn’t afford expensive materials, she could tell at a glance that the

too extravagant, I can’t

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

“Just take it,

felt awkward. If it were something ordinary, she could accept it, but this was too expensive. And the giver

be this clueless.

I really can’t accept such an expensive gift. I have

this bracelet back”

pleased with Anastasia’s refusal to accept the gift, which was worth

“Alright, I’ll keep the bracelet for you for now, but I’ll still give it to you in the

the ropes and was too shy to ask. Herman was also worried that Katelyn’s

was reluctant to leave As she got into the car, she repeatedly told Herman not

only said, “No

“Son, you can’t let past

his brow furrowed “Mom, you