The Bound Between Us

Chapter 974

Anastasia knew Herman was ready to take it all down with him if it came to that— he'd never let anyone else win without a fight.

She rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at the stars. "Honey, the sky's beautiful tonight."

They sat together, hands entwined, enjoying the quiet peace of the night. For now, everything felt calm.

They'd always been a team-husband and wife, side by side. Whatever Autumn tried next, they'd face it together.

The next morning was a riot. Emmie and Nancy, their two little troublemakers, were bickering over who got to sweep the floor. It was a sight that could make anyone smile.

When Anastasia came downstairs, she saw Herman lounging on the couch while the girls, armed with a mini broom and a cleaning rag, were hard at work "cleaning" the living room.

The housekeepers hovered nearby, looking nervous. Cleaning was their job, not the girls', but Herman had told them to let the kids handle things today. So, the staff just stood by, unsure what to do.

Nancy, always quick and efficient, gave the floor a solid sweep, then marched right up to Herman with her hand out. "Daddy, where's my pay?"

what this was about: earning money for

too, her voice all sweet and earnest. "Daddy, I wiped all the tables! Pay me,

sat down with them, grinning. "Looks like your business

a bit puzzled. He'd just finished his morning run when the girls insisted he sit and watch while they cleaned. He just went along with it. Smiling, he pulled out his wallet and handed each of them a crisp $20 bill. "Here you go,

eyes lighting up. "Now I

Their nanny Salma sometimes

treat, but only when

no junk food, all that. Not everyone

held her bill up to the light and examined it closely. The whole act had Anastasia in

says you have to be honest

proud. Not even two years old, and their girls

between English and Chinese without missing a beat. At their age, they picked up everything

scrolling through TikTok and seeing a toddler named Crystal who could speak perfect English with her dad. "Now that's a genius kid," she'd thought. "I just