The Bound Between Us

Chapter 502

Gianna, cornered and unable to hide her secret any longer, stammered, "It's... it's from Herman. He gave it to me." Anastasia had suspected as much, but the confirmation still hit her like a punch to the gut.

Her own cousin had feelings for her ex-husband.

Anastasia's tone sharpened, verging on aggressive, "Why on earth would he give you something so personal?"

Gianna's eyes darted away, guilt written all over her flushed face, "I... we..."

Gianna was too ashamed to admit how she came by the handkerchief because that would mean confessing her unrequited crush on Herman, her self-delusional affection.

The atmosphere in the private dining room grew tense and awkward until Cynthia tried to lighten the mood, "Anastasia, don't you know what it means when a man gives a woman a personal gift? You and Herman are divorced, so it's none of your business who he's into now. Besides, it's better to keep things in the family, right? If Gianna marries into the Salstroms, we're all still kin."

Cynthia's words were a masterclass in diplomacy.

Anastasia, however, remained unplacated. Her gaze was icy as she turned to Cynthia, "Auntie, did you know about Gianna and Herman's fling all along?"

no big deal. We're all about free love these days, aren't we? Gianna's single, Herman's single. Loving

that Anastasia saw

love for Herman, wasn't it? We weren't even divorced then-he was still my husband. Gianna, I treated you like family, and this is how you repay me? Pining

unable

there. She grabbed Pattie's hand

emotions, blurted out, "What's so wrong about loving Herman? Anastasia, love can't be controlled. If he's such a catch, why

paused, turning back to face

continued, "I've loved him, and it never interfered with you two. I didn't do anything to wreck your marriage. And, my eight-year marriage to Joey Edmunds? I never once knew what it felt like to be cherished. That day at your

seemed to feel a sense

was

No more hiding.

the Herman you fell for is the one who was kind to me. You really

was right. The version of Herman that Gianna loved was