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?”

I’ll tell you another time.” Anastasia

promotion party this Friday night. You must come. I’ll

there.”

up, Anastasia noticed that the ribs were almost done. She lowered the

over to greet him, “Dad, mom bought me lots of beautiful dresses and

of his child calling him Dad and the aroma of home-cooked food wafting from the kitchen. It was such

the table, changed his shoes by the door, and affectionately ruffled Pattie’s hair, “Did you have

Pattie’s smile resembled a crescent

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

the kitchen, “Mom, dinner’s

room but hung

Pattie to sit down and went to the kitchen to help with the dishes. Anastasia saw him serving the dishes and prepared two plates

the family of four sat down for dinner,

for Pattie and her mother, placing them on their plates, and

placed there by Herman, He said, “You

felt a warm sensation in her

and son-in-law

dip too.” Pattie said, eyeing the

picked up a rib, dipped it into the coriander sauce, and cautioned, “This sauce is a bit spicy, so

made with chili, cream cheese, and coriander, indeed had a

smiling. Seeing that Pattie liked it, Anastasia dipped a few

take care of the child, you

with a “Mmm.” She served herself a piece of

a wonderful dinner together.

the table. Salma, who had difficulty walking, sat on the sofa and watched TV, while Anastasia took Pattie to wash up and prepare for bed.

preparing the bath, she noticed that Pattie was

arms and neck, saying, “Mom, I’m so

red spots all over her neck and arms. When she looked under Pattie’s clothes,