The Bound Between Us

Chapter 247

The moment she sent the message, Herman replied right away: [I’ll be home for dinner.]

Anastasia was overjoyed when she saw this. As a woman, what she wanted was pretty simple, a little care and attention from her man.

The thought of Herman coming home for dinner was all Anastasia needed to start preparing a rib stew.

As Anastasia bustled around the kitchen, Pattie and Salma played in the room, their laughter ringing out every now and then. Everything was so cozy and homey. Anastasia started to prepare two more side dishes. Just as she finished chopping the vegetables, Alessia called her.

Anastasia asked, “What’s up, Alessia?”

“Anastasia, that tip you gave me last time really did the trick. My mother-in-law is now keeping her big mouth shut.” Alessia sounded so cheerful, she could tell from her tone, “I’ve been buying her clothes, only the most expensive ones, and even giving her a massage. Next thing I know, I’m the talk of the town; everyone’s praising me for being a great daughter-in-law. You should’ve seen the sour look on my mother-in-law’s face. I felt so satisfied.” Alessia said.

Seeing Alessia in such high spirits, Anastasia chuckled, “Well, this is just a temporary fix, Alessia. You don’t want to ice her out completely, or the resentment between you two will only grow.”

“I get it.” Alessia said, “I’ve got to go back to work tomorrow.”

Anastasia was taken aback, “So soon?”

‘The company’s promoting me; I can’t let this golden chance slip by.” Alessia laughed over the phone, “Honestly, I’m so pumped right now. I’ve been waiting for this promotion for so many years. Now I’ve got my career and my kid, I feel like I can take on the world.”

Anastasia was happy for Alessia and said, “Congratulations, Alessia! You’re excelling at both work and home.”

“I owe it all to you.” Alessia said, “Ever since you joined the company, my son was born early, my mother-in-law has been behaving, and I got a promotion. You’re my lucky charm.”

Anastasia laughed, “I didn’t do anything.”

Alessia insisted, “You’re my lucky charm, Anastasia. When are you coming back to work?”

“I might have to wait a bit.” Anastasia said, “My mom hurt her leg. The kids at home also need me.”

Alessia was confused, “Kids?”

long story. I’ll tell you another time.”

the office. I’m throwing a promotion party this

I’ll be there.”

hanging up, Anastasia noticed that the ribs were almost done. She lowered the heat and started mixing the

over to greet him, “Dad,

child calling him Dad and

on the table, changed his shoes by the

resembled a crescent moon in

so much like Anastasia’s. When they smiled, they both displayed those beautiful dimples. Anastasia emerged from the kitchen with the rib stew and said

out toward the kitchen,

call in the another room but hung up immediately upon hearing Anastasia’s voice.

kitchen to help with the dishes. Anastasia saw him serving the dishes and prepared two plates of dip. One plate had coriander because she and her mother both loved coriander, and the other plate didn’t, as Herman was

family of four sat down for dinner,

selected the best ribs for Pattie and her mother, placing

her plate, placed there by Herman, He said, “You should eat more meat to

warm sensation in her heart.

daughter and son-in-law were getting along, Salma was elated.

want some dip too.” Pattie said,

the coriander sauce, and cautioned,

cheese, and

and took a bite, smiling. Seeing that Pattie liked it, Anastasia dipped a few more pieces of ribs and placed them on

“Don’t just take care of the child, you need to eat

She served herself a piece of

enjoyed a

who had difficulty walking, sat on the sofa and

Anastasia was preparing the bath, she noticed that Pattie was incessantly scratching her skin, “What’s wrong,

kept scratching her arms and neck, saying, “Mom, I’m so itchy.”

neck and arms. When she looked under Pattie’s clothes, she found her body covered in red