The Bound Between Us

Flynn only figured out what was going on after he got to the hospital.

Apparently, he was there to bail his niece out of trouble.

Pattie had begged him not to tell her parents-her lips zipped tight, looking up at him with big innocent eyes. "You're the best, Uncle Flynn. I trust you more than anyone," she'd said, laying it on thick.

Flynn couldn't help but feel a little proud. At the hospital, he just had to mention he was from the Salstrom family and everything was handled in a flash.

The woman on the other side, realizing who Flynn was, wasn't about to make a scene-not when they all lived in the same upscale neighborhood.

Layna, meanwhile, had always dreamed of being a rich girl, and for once, her wish had come true-she really was the missing granddaughter of the Stranz family.

Well, technically. Layna's mother was the Stranz family's daughter, so Layna was a granddaughter by blood. But her mom had passed away, and no one really knew who her dad was. The Stranz family took her in out of pity, but Layna was a handful—always getting into trouble, fighting, slacking off at school, chasing trends, and picking on classmates. She was a headache for everyone.

Still, Juliana, the Stranz family's eldest daughter-in-law, absolutely adored Layna. She was the one who'd stepped up for her in the park earlier. Now, after Pattie had given Layna a good scare, Juliana didn't dare make a fuss, not with the Salstroms involved. In her heart, she knew Layna had started it—she always did —but she couldn't help spoiling her, especially when Layna called her "Aunt Juliana."

Juliana didn't have kids of her own, so she doted on Layna like a daughter.

Her husband? Let's just say Juliana ran the show at home. Her coddling only made Layna more arrogant.

though, no one came to Layna's rescue. After Flynn and everyone

it so hard. So what if that mute girl is

She had always wanted to be Anastasia's daughter-Anastasia was wealthy, kind, and elegant,

was rich now, but they still couldn't compare to

If Pattie hadn't shown up, maybe Anastasia

lot of kids, she was stubborn and

keep things quiet, but there was no fooling Anastasia. She spotted Pattie's new bruises right away, and after a gentle chat with Liana, she pieced

that Layna was the youngest granddaughter of the Stranz family. The Stranz place

That night.

a bottle of ointment. Pattie's arms and legs were covered in bruises from the

dabbed cream on the bruises."But listen honey, until you're strong enough, you need to

her. "You're

you saw Ms. Liana getting bullied,

knew what kind of kid Layna was-trouble,

nodded and signed, I didn't want to fight her. I just couldn't stand her picking on people. If she tries it again,

chuckled. "That's

learn some self-defense. Maybe taekwondo or judo. Every girl should know how to protect