The Bound Between Us

Chapter 862

Katelyn was the kind of woman who never thought twice about money—a fancy dinner downtown could run her four hundred bucks, and she'd barely notice. But for most families, that kind of cash could stretch for weeks.

Adam's family, though, was in a real bind, and Anastasia knew she had to step in. She couldn't just stand by and watch her mom walk into a mess.

The moment she got home, Anastasia went looking for Salma.

She found her mom in her room, chatting away on the phone with Adam. Even from the hallway, Anastasia could hear Salma's laughter. They sounded genuinely happy.

Anastasia hesitated outside the door, listening for a moment. It struck her how rare it was to hear her mother laugh like that.

She decided to give them some space and turned back toward her own room. No sooner had she closed the door than Katelyn barged in, arms crossed, face stern. "Anastasia, care to explain what happened at the hotel? Who was that guy?"

So Katelyn was still hung up on that.

Instead of answering, Anastasia asked, "Mom, how did you even know I was at the hotel?"

She hadn't told Katelyn, and there was no way her mom would randomly show up there.

"Mrs. Walker saw you. If it weren't for her, I'd still be in the dark," Katelyn said, her temper barely contained. "The Salstroms have always treated you well, and Herman adores you. The kids are still little, Ana. Don't go doing something you'll regret."

Anastasia immediately pieced it together-Autumn must've seen her, probably saw Rowan too, and dragged Katelyn along hoping to catch something scandalous.

her mom in the eye. "Mom, you've known me

question seemed

how she'd searched high and low for him-the whole city had been moved by her devotion. Their love wasn't something

today because I needed his help with something. As for the

not completely convinced. "Is that really all? You're

you really doubt your own

to put Katelyn at ease, maybe even made her a little

realized Anastasia and Rowan hadn't acted suspicious at the hotel. Rowan had

not that I don't trust you," Katelyn finally said, "but people

I'll be mindful." Anastasia could tell Katelyn's anger had faded. “Hey, why don't you check

left

little playtime with the

for her birthday party. Herman had even hired a teacher to

าวเ

she had free time, Pattie was learning self-defense moves from Dailey: She was young, but already had this air

all about-the better your kids did, the

hotel incident. She figured it was better not to stir up trouble, and deep down, she just wanted Herman and Anastasia to be

it was such a minor

when

Dailey mentioned the argument