The Bound Between Us

Chapter 881

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Anastasia hadn't seen Herman this sharp in ages.

When was the last time he'd put someone in their place like that? Oh, right—it

must've been when her hopeless ex, Cason Kirkwood, managed to get on

Herman's bad side. Cason was still behind bars, and honestly, he'd probably be

there for a few more years.

After Cason got locked up, Demi—the girl who used to compete with Anastasia for

his attention—vanished without a trace. Monica mentioned that Demi had

probably gone overseas. As Monica put it, "With Cason in jail, if Demi didn't take

off fast, she'd be in there with him soon enough. No point crossing you, Ana."

"You all chat. I need to finish the soup," Anastasia said, leaving the brothers to

their conversation.

Pattie jumped up. "Mom, let me help!"

Anastasia's smile was full of warmth. "No need, sweetheart. Go play with your

siblings. Or, if you're bored, go to the lab and remind your mentor to eat—he's

been in there so long he might actually turn into a mushroom."

Sometimes Anastasia wished Pattie weren't quite so grown-up. It was sweet, but it

made her heart ache a little.

Pattie grinned. "I'll go get him!"

With Pattie off to the lab, Herman handed the kids over to Flynn without a second

thought and rolled up his sleeves to join Anastasia in the kitchen.

She arched an eyebrow. "What are you doing in here?"

out. Back at Harmony Meadows, wasn't I always

Herman said, cool as

her eyes

gave her a gentle smile. "Bits

"...Okay." Anastasia's heart soared.

starting to remember,

the dishes out, and Anastasia went back to her soup,

the comforting smell of home cooking. For a moment, it

days at Harmony Meadows—everything so

wandered back

you bought

in the stock market, mostly following Monica's

exactly hurting for money,

Anastasia still played it safe. For her, it was just something

a sigh. "Now it's down again.

grand."

was like buying

sting; she'd grown

time you said that stock was a sure

got

instantly and burst out laughing.

themselves like that?"

So confident about everything—even

out, brushing a stray hair from her forehead. The move

his look sent

an eyebrow. "So—are you

pink. "Very. Now go watch the kids.

help with something."

what was on that chip. If she

Herman definitely could.

and light; the housekeepers had the day off, so

just them.

said, "there's a jewelry

to come with me?"

with all the celebrities and

this a

jewelry

A-listers for

events, the stars would

brand's latest pieces