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."

German, French, English-you're going to be the

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

studying is the only way out.

snuggled into Juliana's arms. "You're the best, Aunt Juliana. You're just like a real mom to

"Why not just

and chirped, "Okay, Mom!" hugging

Mom by your side, nobody's going to

Maybe that's why, in the years that followed, Juliana would spoil Layna rotten-covering

as she had money and the right last name, she'd end up marrying Justin and living the good life. Schoolwork? Not her problem. Her only real

Back at the Salstroms':

"adventure," scrubbed up, and dove

the

great listener. She could understand simple

his computer, and Pattie was hunched over her

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

as she took a bite. Delicious. So

Anastasia caught on right away. She

as he brushed his teeth against

Anastasia turned pink, quickly

Pattie noticed