The Bound Between Us

Chapter 503

Anastasia and Salma arrived home early, stepping into a house that felt unusually silent. Salma's frustration was palpable as she flopped onto the couch, her forehead etched with lines of anger.

"I can't believe it," she fumed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Gianna falling for Herman? Friends' partners should be off-limits!"

Anastasia tried to distract herself from Salma's venting by heading to the kitchen to start dinner. Pattie, eager to help, began rinsing the lettuce a little domestic helper in the making.

As Anastasia chopped vegetables, her mind wandered back to Gianna's recent behavior. How could she have been so blind? Gianna's generosity, offering shares of the café, wasn't out of sisterhood but a ploy to get closer to Herman.

She recalled how Gianna would find any excuse to drop by, evenings filled with laughter and wine. It wasn't her company Gianna sought, but Herman's. She should have seen the signs, but denial had built walls around her heart. Even when Monica Franco had dropped hints, she had foolishly dismissed them.

The thought that her supposed best friend had been scheming for her husband all along made her stomach churn.

"Hey, Ana," Salma's voice broke through her thoughts, still laced with anger. "Gianna's ungrateful, after everything you did for her. Remember when she had that fallout with Joey? You were the one running around fixing things. You and Herman even bailed her out when she got arrested. And now she betrays you like this?"

Gianna now felt like a betrayal. She had practically handed her

steer the conversation away, Anastasia looked at Salma and said, "Mom, let's not dwell on it. Could you peel some garlic? I'm

"Thanks, Mom! You're the

Anastasia chuckled. "Help me by washing the green beans. Once we're done eating, you've got

puffed up with pride. "Mom, I got full marks on yesterday's quiz! The teacher even

girl," Anastasia said, her heart swelling with pride. "Just as bright as I was

top of your class, and now she's on the same path. We're going to have a

within Anastasia. She had dropped out, and

sorry I let you down," she said softly, remembering

brushed off the apology with a smile. "Let's just focus on making our days count, raising Pattie right-that's all

to nurture her daughter and ensure a

together to finish preparing dinner, and soon they sat down to a simple yet

as any fancy