The Bound Between Us

Chapter 939

Joseph didn't allow a single thing in the house that had anything to do with Julie.

That one photograph set him off.

"Where did you get this?" Joseph's voice was sharp, almost a shout. "I told you, you don't have a mother."

He snatched the photo and ripped it in half. Daria's sobs grew louder, full-on wailing now. "I do have a mom! She's fighting monsters! When she beats them, she'll come back!"

"Who told you that?" Joseph snapped. "Alan, listen to me-again-you don't have a mother. Get that into your head."

Joseph only ever used Daria's full name when he was furious.

"You're lying! I have a mom! Everyone does!" Daria's face was streaked red from crying, stubborn as ever-he was the only one who dared talk back to Joseph.

Their nanny, Caterina, heard the commotion and rushed upstairs, thinking something terrible had happened.

She peeked in, saw Joseph scolding Daria, and immediately turned to leave.

"Caterina!" Joseph's angry call stopped her in her tracks. "Where did this photo come from?"

Caterina glanced at the torn pieces on the floor and instantly knew who was behind it. But she couldn't say.

She forced herself to lie. "I don't know, sir. Maybe Daria found it somewhere? He's just a kid-please, don't be so hard on him."

Joseph's questions about the picture. The poor kid looked terrified-he'd never

Caterina, clinging to her and sobbing. "Caterina, Daddy's mean! He yelled

dad loves you," Caterina whispered, lifting him in her arms and rocking him gently. She

Daria's crying making him even more irritable, but he kept a lid on his temper.

money from Autumn, and if he ever found out, she'd be out on the

others cooked and cleaned;

month, right here

were both jobless. Her paycheck kept the whole family

backyard, holding him close. "Come on, don't cry, sweetie. Don't be mad at your dad. Tell

don't want Daddy. I want Mommy," Daria blubbered, tears wetting

heart ached

talk of his mom. Joseph had made it clear-no

even a whisper.

ages to

the shredded photo,

the staff would've dared give Daria something

Daria, but she'd never do something like this. Feiman

that family wanted to bring up

Daria cried

As soon as she stepped out, Joseph called