The Bound Between Us

Chapter 244

Melinda’s sudden sobbing took Anastasia off guard. “Melinda, what’s wrong? What’s going on? Please, don’t cry.” Anastasia said. She handed Melinda a tissue and tried to wipe away her tears.

Unable to hold back her emotions, the moment Melinda hung up the phone, all her grievances poured out like a burst dam. Everything she had been working and fighting for seemed like a cruel joke. It was as if a string she had been tensing for years had suddenly snapped.

Melinda cried uncontrollably, drawing a few side-eyes from other customers in the shop.

Pattie, the wise little girl, tried to wipe Melinda’s tears away with her tiny hand, “Don’t cry. I’ll give you a sweet.”

She didn’t really know how to comfort people, but she was willing to share her candy. In Pattie’s world, having sweets always cheered her up.

Pattie unwrapped a sweet, and Melinda, unable to say no to the little girl, popped it in her mouth. She sobbed silently as she tasted the sweetness, which was a stark contrast to the bitterness in her heart. She was no longer a three-year-old child who could be placated with a piece of candy. The sweeter the candy, the more bitter she felt inside.

“My parents just bought a house in the county and didn’t even tell me. They used my money to buy my brother his wedding house. They set the wedding date without telling me. What the hell am I to them?” Melinda exploded, “Am I just an ATM to them? For years, I’ve been footing the bill for everything at home. They’ve squeezed me dry.”

Hearing this, Anastasia felt a surge of anger for Mélinda. Melinda might have seemed to be living the high life, but in reality, she was beaten and bruised, drained dry by her own family.

After a long while of comforting her, Melinda finally calmed down. Seeing Melinda in such a state, Anastasia didn’t dare to ask anything else.

in the mood for tea anymore, so they ended their afternoon tea early. Anastasia hailed a cab for Melinda. Watching the cab drive away. she stood on the bustling street with Pattie, pondering that every family had its set of problems.

seemed dazed. Her flatmate noticed her looking down and asked, “Melinda, what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”

Melinda replied flatly, not wanting to

“Melinda, your friend from last time,

sat on the couch, absentmindedly

rooftop. I followed her, and you won’t believe what I saw. She was with Mr.

before Melinda could even ask about the house, her mother’s voice asking for money came through, “Melinda, do you have any money left? Could you send me another hundred grand? The

on the edge of her bed, clutching her bedsheets tightly, trying to hold back her emotions. She allowed her mother to finish her spiel before asking, “Mom, is my brother getting married next month? Does the bride’s family expect a hundred grand

the wedding gift. Her mother suddenly asking for a hundred grand must be related to that.

she chuckled and replied, “Yes, he’s getting married next month. As his sister, you should take care of your brother’s wedding. The bride’s family want a hundred grand as a wedding gift.

yet she clung to a sliver of

flat with a big balcony. The layout is great. After your brother gets married, your father and I plan to move in there to help them look after the baby.”

“That’s good. I’ve been contemplating quitting my job and returning home in a few years. Then we can all be together.”

back for? You can make money in Riverdale. There’s no future in a small town.

tired of drifting around. I want to come back and take care of you.

“We don’t need you to take care of us. Your brother can handle it. Your mother and I will be taking one room in your brother’s new flat, your brother and his wife will take another, and we need to save one for the