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.

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

seemed to stump

his accident, Anastasia had a hundred chances to walk away, but she never did. Everyone still remembered how she'd searched high and low for

the person you saw, I didn't even plan to

that really all? You're not

do you really doubt your own son's appeal? Honestly, I only want

ease,

and Rowan hadn't acted suspicious at the hotel. Rowan

that I don't trust you," Katelyn finally said, "but people love to gossip. Just be

tell Katelyn's anger had faded. “Hey, why don't you check

left to see

little

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

าวเ

was learning self-defense moves from Dailey: She was young, but already had this air of confidence and cool about

what being a mom was all about-the better your kids

quiet about the hotel incident. She figured it was better not to stir up trouble, and deep down,

was such a minor thing it wasn't even worth bringing

night when

Dailey mentioned the argument