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...

push, and Anastasia would tumble down the

voice rang out from

pretended to assist Anastasia instead. "Let

said, completely unaware of Gianna's fleeting

pieces before making an excuse to leave. Anastasia had just settled into the couch when a sudden crash made her jump. Katie

Katie stammered, hastily picking up the pieces. "Please

of a bruise on Katie's waist. "What happened to your waist?" As Katie crouched

murmured, quickly pulling her blouse down to hide the bruise and

the kitchen. Alone, she lifted her blouse to reveal the dark bruise, her mind replaying the previous night's