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."

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

I'm a Stranz. I'll never want for money. Let those bookworms ace their tests-they'll be working for

a satisfied smile. "You're so clever. Only people without options think studying is the only way out. You're the pride of the Stranz family—anything you want,

best, Aunt Juliana. You're just like a real

melted. "Why not just

chance and chirped, "Okay, Mom!" hugging her

moon. "See? With Mom by your side, nobody's going to mess with

on her good side. Maybe that's why, in the years that followed, Juliana would spoil Layna rotten-covering up for her, letting her get away with everything from cheating on tests to faking

and the right last name, she'd end up marrying Justin and living the good life. Schoolwork? Not her problem. Her only real focus was finding new ways

Back at the Salstroms':

from her "adventure," scrubbed up, and dove

Herman wasn't tied up with work, he'd have Pattie nearby, letting her absorb bits and pieces about the

She could understand simple conversations in two languages, even if

of cherries into the study. Herman was at his computer, and

work," Anastasia teased. "Pattie, since you're being such

face lit up as she took a bite. Delicious. So sweet. She nudged the bowl toward her parents, insisting

away. She picked out a perfect cherry and held it up to his

a bite, grinning mischievously as he brushed his

Anastasia turned pink, quickly

Pattie noticed