The Bound Between Us

Chapter 497

Joe was so frustrated he could have jumped into the Mississippi and still come out feeling dirty. But Hank? Hank couldn't care less about Joe's mood. Without a second glance, he walked out of the club. The thing that really got under Joe's skin was Hank's unflappable demeanor. No matter what Joe did, he couldn't get a reaction out of him. It was like punching a pillow-no impact, no satisfaction. Feinman was busy playing matchmaker, trying to rope him into family ties and wedding bells with Julie, but Hank was indifferent. To him, Joe might as well have been invisible.

In Hank's eyes, Joe wasn't even worth considering a rival.

And that's what deflated Joe the most.

The more Hank ignored him, the more Joe wanted to get under his skin. But he wasn't about to play the fool and set the stage for Devin to take all the credit, so he kept dragging his feet on the wedding with Julie. Maybe it was the comparison. Watching Hank about to marry the woman he actually loved made Joe all the more reluctant to tie the knot with Julie, a woman whose mind was a labyrinth of schemes. His wife should be nothing like Julie.

...

In the parking lot, Nelson asked, "Mr. Salstrom, heading back to Southridge Estates or Salstrom Manor tonight?"

Hank walked over to the driver's side. "Clock out early today, Nelson. Toss me the keys."

the keys in an instant, and Hank drove off, effortlessly steering the car towards Riverdale's bustling Night

face mask and made his way through the stalls, eventually stopping at a bubble tea shop for a

for the flavor on the first sip, much

the second floor and settled by the window of a Wallace's Burgers joint, a spot he frequented enough that the staff knew him

of fries, then just sit for thirty minutes,

the window, across the street at a small stall where Anastasia and her daughter Pattie

dealing in small trades, her face always brimming with a smile

and helpful kid, would assist with crafts and drawing customers in. Her adorable

shone like stars on that street, their

Mrs. Salstrom, struggled to find regular employment, so the market stall was her way to make

promised Feinman he'd stay away from Anastasia, so he could only

as Anastasia counted the day's earnings, she handed Pattie a fifty: "This is for you, honey. Go

beamed with joy. "Thanks, Mom! I've been craving some fries, a burger, and