The Bound Between Us

The message was from Salma.

Cynthia and Colton had finally split up.

Ever since Gianna died, Cynthia hadn't been herself. Colton couldn't take it anymore-couldn't bear the woman Cynthia had become so he moved out.

Just yesterday, they finalized the divorce.

To be fair, Colton didn't just walk away. He left Cynthia with some money for her old age, and the house, too. It was as fair a deal as anyone could expect.

But now Cynthia was truly alone. No children, no family around her. She had money and a house, but what did any of it matter if there was no one to share it with?

Salma heard about the divorce through relatives. Worried, she decided to check on Cynthia.

She knocked on the door for ages, but no one answered. Still, she could smell something burning from inside, and it made her uneasy. Not wanting to take any chances, Salma called the fire department. They broke the door open.

Turns out Cynthia had left chicken simmering in the kitchen until it burned dry. The whole house was thick with smoke, so the firefighters hurried to open the windows.

Salma rushed to the bedroom, and when she opened the door, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

In broad daylight, the room was weirdly cold and creepy. Cynthia was kneeling on

a mat, surrounded by jars and candles, performing some kind of ritual.

was something that sent

jar—it was just

startling Cynthia out

in them was enough

doing?" Salma's face turned white

table, along with a birth date written

Anastasia's

cursing Anastasia

couldn't believe it-Cynthia's

at Salma blankly, as if

the time Anastasia arrived, the firefighters had already cleaned up, and

had called

one wanted to live next to someone keeping ashes and creepy jars at home.

at home, never mind practicing rituals like that. The police started clearing out all the odd stuff.

"No one can take her from me! You'll wake

you need to think about your neighbors. Why

neighbors were upset. "Cynthia, you can't do this! This is a residential building,

the property value

of living in the same building as the

for trouble! You don't worry those