The Bound Between Us

Chapter 436

Gianna's emotions were a tangled mess, impossible to articulate.

"Hey, how about we head downstairs?" Anastasia suggested. "I had Katie prep some fruit for us."

"Sure," Gianna replied, her eyes drifting toward Herman's study.

With one hand on her aching back and the other gripping the railing, Anastasia cautiously descended the long staircase. Each step seemed like a mountain to climb with her awkwardly heavy belly. Gianna followed a step behind, her gaze fixed on Anastasia's back. A dark thought flickered through her mind: What if Anastasia fell? Would the baby survive?

As the thought flashed by, Gianna's hand moved almost on its own...

a slight push, and Anastasia would tumble

make contact, Katie's voice rang out from the bottom of the

quickly pulled her hand back and pretended

unaware

fresh fruit. Gianna, however, only nibbled on a few pieces before making an excuse to leave. Anastasia had just settled into the couch when a sudden crash made her jump.

"Please

are you okay?" Anastasia asked, noticing the nanny's distracted state. Her eyes caught sight of a bruise on Katie's waist. "What happened to your waist?" As Katie crouched to clean up, Anastasia saw the injury more clearly-it looked like a belt

down to hide

kitchen. Alone, she lifted her blouse to reveal the dark bruise, her mind replaying