The Bound Between Us

Chapter 498

Hank casually signaled the waiter with a subtle gesture, hoping to slip in and pay for Mary's meal. Just then, Mary said to the cashier, "I guess I'll skip the burger then." The cashier nodded, "Sure thing."

Mary paid, took her receipt, and sat down to wait, her heart light with joy.

Hank's gaze never left Mary. The waiter approached, asking, "Sir, what can I get for you?"

The waiter was puzzled; he had been beckoned over but wasn't given an order.

Mary's attention was caught by the waiter's voice, and she glanced instinctively toward Hank.

Hank wore a face mask, but Mary recognized him in an instant.

That was her dad. Even behind a mask, she'd know him anywhere.

Mary was in disbelief. Since she and her mom moved to the new place, her dad hadn't come to visit.

Her grandma had told her about the divorce, warning her not to mention her father in front of her mom. Mary was obedient; she never asked.

Now, months later, seeing her dad again stirred a mix of happiness and disbelief in her.

eyes, Hank fearful of

moment, "Kid,

up to get her food. She didn't greet Hank, pretended not to recognize him, and

the top of the stairs, she couldn't help but

look from Mary made Hank's heart ache, his chest

so much, and now, though she was

in Mary's eyes as she descended the stairs, but

carrying her burger and fries

front of Susan, Mary was

some hot cocoa. Have a sip, and here's your burger. I'll just

smiled, "I'll stick to the cocoa, sweetheart. The rest is all yours. Just don't mention it to Grandma, okay? She'd

"Got it, it's our little

Mary happily munched on her fries, she

of the diner, Hank had already

a pang of regret

gone, it wasn't long before Jason showed up to see Susan. Susan, anxious, asked,

had been discreetly investigating the Anita Clark case for months without

wanted to check if you were still here. It's