The Bound Between Us

Anastasia had figured Herman would just swing by the store and grab a couple pounds of cherries. She never expected him to come home with a bouquet made entirely of cherries-each one glossy and deep red, arranged with a care that made her smile the second she saw it.

It was her first time receiving a cherry bouquet, and honestly, it beat flowers by a mile. Flowers were pretty, sure, but they couldn't double as dessert.

She ran her fingers over the cherries, savoring the sweet, fresh scent, then turned to head upstairs to find Herman. Just then, Pattie barreled in from outside, looking like she'd been through a tornado-dirt on her shoes, hair a mess, cheeks

flushed.

Anastasia took one look and didn't even have to ask. "Another fight?" she said, half-amused.

Pattie just grinned, dressed in a pink tracksuit and brimming with energy. She mimed a few jabs in the air, her expression more than a little cocky.

Ever since she'd started training with Dailey, Pattie's arms and legs had gotten stronger, and she carried herself with a confidence that made Anastasia relax a little. It was clear Pattie was no longer someone to be pushed around.

Layna, Pattie's usual sparring partner, was tough too. Even when she ended up on the losing side, she never called in the cavalry. The Stranz family, in general, kept their distance from the Salstroms. As long as the Salstroms didn't pick a fight, that was good enough.

Except Layna's aunt, Juliana—she was a different story.

At the Stranz family home, Juliana nearly had a meltdown when Layna limped through the door, bruised and sulking.

"Oh, Layna, was it that mute girl again?" she fretted, fussing over her niece.

Layna winced but wasn't about to back down. "Aunt Juliana, just wait. One day, I'll have Paradise eating out of my hand. You'll see."

French, English-you're going to be the Wisman family's daughter-in-law someday,

Just looking at a textbook makes me want to nap. Why bother? I'm a Stranz. I'll never want for money. Let

smile. "You're so clever. Only people without options think studying is the only way out. You're the

arms. "You're the best, Aunt Juliana. You're just

"Why not just call me

chirped, "Okay, Mom!" hugging her

With Mom by your side, nobody's going to mess

side. Maybe that's why, in the years that followed, Juliana

she'd end up marrying Justin and living the good life. Schoolwork? Not her problem. Her only real focus

Back at the Salstroms':

her "adventure," scrubbed up,

bits and pieces about the

but she was a great listener. She could understand simple conversations in two languages, even if she didn't talk

the study. Herman was at his computer,

"Pattie, since you're being such a star student, you get the

handed it over, and Pattie's face lit up as she took a bite. Delicious. So sweet. She nudged the

for some attention. Anastasia caught on right away. She picked out a perfect cherry and held

bite, grinning mischievously as he brushed

Anastasia turned pink, quickly

if Pattie noticed