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.”

I’ll be waiting for you at the office. I’m throwing a promotion party this Friday night. You must come. I’ll text you the

there.” Anastasia

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

home at seven in the evening. Hearing the door open, Pattie excitedly rushed over

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

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

a crescent moon in its cuteness.

Pattie’s smile was so much like Anastasia’s. When they smiled, they both displayed those beautiful dimples. Anastasia emerged from the kitchen with

out toward the

on a call in the another room but hung up immediately upon

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

of four sat down for dinner, Pattie took a seat

her mother, placing them on

rib appeared on her plate, placed there by Herman, He said, “You should eat more

a warm sensation in her

well her daughter and son-in-law were getting along,

too.” Pattie said, eyeing the coriander dip.

the coriander sauce, and

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

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

the child, you need to

“Mmm.” She served herself a piece of meat and

enjoyed a

to clear the table. Salma, who had difficulty walking, sat on the sofa and watched TV, while Anastasia took Pattie

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

arms and neck, saying, “Mom, I’m

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