The Bound Between Us

Chapter 783

Monica went from eagerly excited to completely uninterested, her face showing nothing but disappointment.

Anastasia and Salma shared a look that said it all. If Jason didn't make it today, Monica would be left feeling uneasy, like there was something unresolved.

Anastasia suggested, "Why don't you give Jason a call? Maybe he got caught up with work unexpectedly. You know how his job is; duty calls at the most inconvenient times."

Feeling stubborn, Monica replied, "I don't care if he shows up or not. Come on, Pattie, let's go fly some kites at the park."

Anastasia nudged Pattie to help cheer Monica up.

Meanwhile, Emmie and Nancy were already snoozing in their strollers. Anastasia asked Salma to keep an eye on them while she tried reaching Jason herself. She couldn't let a misunderstanding get in the way of Monica and Jason.

Communication is key, and not talking things out only wastes precious time.

Anastasia called Jason twice. The first time, there was no answer. The second time, he finally picked up, sounding a bit out of breath. "Anastasia, what's up?" "Where are you? You were supposed to meet Monica to see the cherry blossoms. We've been waiting at Cherry Hill for hours. What's going on?"

Jason was still at Alisa's place, having just come up the stairs. He apologized, "Anastasia, I can't make it today. Could you please explain to Monica? I'll make it up to her later."

curious. Jason had planned this outing with Monica, and even

hesitated, "Isla is

was wrapped

Monica, you need to sort things out with Alisa. End it cleanly. If you can't do that, leave Monica alone. Your indecision is just going to hurt everyone involved." Jason had always struggled with making decisions when it came to relationships. "I get it, Anastasia," he replied. "Please, just keep Monica calm for now. I'll

the daughter of an old friend, and as a police officer, Jason felt he had to help. She'd gone missing on her way to school that morning. Alisa had dropped her off across the street, but Isla never

until ten when the teacher called to say Isla hadn't shown up, that

terrified. She'd been hassled by debt collectors recently, so

home phone to

Just yesterday, someone had

her front

that the debt collectors might have harmed her

for ten hours. They'd searched everywhere, checked all the surveillance cameras, but there was no sign

to school in the first

something's happened to her? It's getting dark. What are we going to do? She's the only grandchild for the Brown family. If anything

her. "Other officers are searching too. Does Isla have any close friends she might be with,

has a few

but nothing unusual. Isla is a good kid," Alisa