The Bound Between Us

Chapter 135

Anastasia’s eyes welled up when she heard this. Grabbing the little girl’s hand, she said, “Come, I’ll take you to grab some grub.” She didn’t care about the girl’s grubbiness and just scooped her up, heading towards her car.

Herman was taken aback when he saw the girl in Anastasia’s arms. He had seen this girl in their neighborhood before.

What was she up to?’ Herman asked. “How come she’s here all by herself?”

Gently stroking the girl’s cheek, Anastasia said, her voice heavy, “She was hungry, scrounging for bread in the trash bin. How could her parents treat such a sweetheart like this?”

Resting quietly in Anastasia’s arms, the little girl seemed to enjoy the warmth.

Looking at the bright eyes of the girl, her dirty clothes, messy hair, and ill-fitting shoes, Herman felt a lump in his throat. “Do you know this girl?” He asked Anastasia.

Anastasia replied. Last time, she was starving, so I took her home and cooked for her. Her name is Pattie, and lives in building six. I think her parents might favor boys over girls. I tried

neighborhood, too” Herman said, trying to roll up the girl’s sleeves. But the girl quickly

mean no harm, Can we take a look

at her, then slowly rolled up her sleeve, revealing

full of bruises, and her little hands were rough with many tiny wounds. It was easy to tell she had to do chores often. Anastasia and Herman both felt a pang of pain and anger at the sight, but they kept it to themselves in front of the

stay with them, to spend more time with

important meeting that day, so Anastasia had to leave Pattie

some clothes for a little girl, like head-to-toe outfits. for a four- or

a restaurant Herman had taken Anastasia to before, owned by Collin. The food was great, and Pattie seemed to have a good appetite. She was truly

her, Herman felt a twinge of pity. He poured a glass of water for Pattie. ‘Eat slowly, don’t

Most kids her age could afford to be picky eaters, but not Pattie.

night, Penny lost money playing poker and took it out on her, not allowing her to eat dinner. Now Pattie was full, but she couldn’t resist the