The Bound Between Us

Chapter 934

The car rolled quietly through the neighborhood, its headlights painting shifting shadows across sleeping lawns and empty driveways. Anastasia sat in the passenger seat, silent, gazing out at the world slipping by, still caught up in everything she'd overheard at Asher's place.

She'd heard Herman's words. The way he'd changed-it was because of her. There's a saying: if you don't pull weeds out by the roots, they just grow right back. Even if Herman took care of Asher tonight, someone else might come looking for trouble, wanting revenge. And it's always the people you love who end up getting hurt.

Anastasia's close calls had left Herman on edge. With three kids at home, all he really wanted was for their family to be safe, for things to be simple. That's why he let Asher go tonight. He was choosing peace over violence, hoping the cycle would finally end.

By the time they got home, the house was dark and still. The kids were asleep, the world finally quiet.

Anastasia slipped upstairs and peeked into Pattie's room. Her little girl was growing up fast her features getting clearer, her whole face shining with that quiet kind of beauty that makes mothers ache with pride.

But Pattie still couldn't speak. That hurt never really faded for Anastasia.

She'd seen Dr. James. The only chance Pattie would ever talk was a risky surgery, and neither she nor Herman could bring themselves to risk it. They wanted Pattie healthy, but more than that, they wanted her here, by their side.

Suddenly, Pattie stirred and opened her eyes. When she saw Anastasia sitting by the bed, her whole face lit up: Mom.

"Did I wake you up?" Anastasia asked softly, brushing a strand of hair from Pattie's forehead.

Pattie shook her head and signed: Mom, I had a dream.

"What did you dream about?" Anastasia asked, her voice gentle.

Pattie signed: I dreamed I could talk. My teacher said if I keep taking my medicine, I'll be able to

ak one day.

heart squeezed tight. The medicine couldn't cure her —just help, a little. She could feel how badly Pattie wanted to speak, could see it

her words thick with guilt. "It's all my

have gotten the chance to take Pattie. If she'd confronted Gianna about her

nothing holds you back. You hurt me, I hurt you right back. But when you have family,

storm yourself if it meant your

She didn't blame her mom, but every time they had this talk, she

"Pattie, your birthday's next week. I got you something special-what else do

just want you and Dad to be happy. I want our

Pattie was smart, and

her parents were sleeping in separate rooms. She missed the way things

words made Anastasia's heart ache even more. Kids always know when something's wrong, even if you try to hide

her eyes clear and

throat tightened. She nodded.

room, wiping away tears, and bumped into Salma in the

red eyes.

together. "Just... talked with Pattie. She knows more than we think. She's

so much, they feel everything more deeply. But Ana, time will

Anastasia hesitated, then said

quietly, "Mom, there's something

you. I was the

from Willowbrook. I