The Bound Between Us

Chapter 884

In the end, Anastasia couldn't talk Salma out of it.

Salma moved out.

Once Salma made up her mind, nobody could change it.

Sometimes Anastasia wondered if she'd done the wrong thing-maybe she never should've brought Tavon into the mess with her mom and Adam. Back when her mom was dating Adam, she'd looked so happy-Anastasia hadn't seen her smile like that in years, practically glowing with joy. But lately, she just looked tired and worried.

Life's short. The older you get, the fewer things there are that really make you happy or get your heart racing.

After Salma moved out, Herman bought the old house and put it in her name. For the first time, Salma had a place of her own in Riverdale.

Anastasia hadn't even known Herman was doing all that. She realized she hadn't been paying enough attention to her mom.

Once Salma settled in, Tavon started showing up nearly every day-if Salma didn't keep tossing him out, he probably would've just moved in.

The week flew by, and soon it was the weekend.

Anastasia went with Herman to a fancy dinner party.

The place was packed with beautiful people. Jarod was there, too. As soon as they walked in, Jarod sauntered over in this wild, floral suit, looking like a peacock on a runway.

wow, Mrs. Salstrom, you look incredible tonight-absolutely breathtaking," he said with a

no frills, and not even a necklace. Her hair was

simplicity made her stand out even more. All eyes went straight to her face and her figure-she

stars there, dressed to the nines and dripping in

kept her head down, happy to play the part of the woman behind the

familiar faces-no surprise, really,

she showed up at these high-society events from time to time. Lauren caught Anastasia's eye from across the room and gave a polite nod. Anastasia smiled back, just as courteous-friendly, but with a

threw Anastasia was running

Herman off to talk business, and Anastasia slipped away to the restroom.

see!" Sandy beamed,

husband and now had the nerve to call her "sis." If that wasn't peak shamelessness, Anastasia didn't

expression turned cold. "Don't call me 'sis.' If you do, I might not be able to stop myself from slapping

wasn't about to fake it

you mad? I already apologized-why are you still

her a look. "The Mortons really are all about tea, huh? You must've grown up on it, because you're about as fake-sweet as

just how much Sandy

could take more

waver. "You're this upset because you care, right? Those months I spent with Herman-they were the happiest of my life. We just clicked. If you hadn't met him first and had a kid, do you really think he'd have picked you? Or

world are truly terrifying-because they have