The Bound Between Us

Chapter 976

The decision was final-Pattie was going to have the surgery.

She hadn't been born mute; her brain's speech center worked just fine. It was Gianna who had destroyed her voice, poisoning her vocal cords years ago. The damage was permanent. The only hope left was an experimental vocal cord transplant—a procedure nobody had ever tried before. Vocal cords just weren't something doctors replaced. James was taking a huge risk, and everyone knew it. After Anastasia gave the go-ahead, it felt like a boulder had landed on her chest. She was suffocating with worry that something could go wrong.

Herman and the rest of the Salstrom family accepted Anastasia's decision right away. Not even Pattie hesitated-she was actually excited, not understanding the danger. All she cared about was the chance to finally speak. She begged James to book her surgery as soon as possible, her eyes shining with hope for the first

time in ages.

Neither Herman nor Anastasia could bring themselves to take that hope from her. James scheduled the operation for the following Tuesday-just four days away. Those four days were all about Pattie. Herman and Anastasia dropped everything to spend time with her, determined to make her happy. They took her to the amusement park. Herman rode roller coasters with her, laughing and tossing his arms in the air, while Anastasia waited on a bench with a cold drink, feeling a little dizzy from the excitement.

One afternoon, Monica called. "You're really going through with Pattie's surgery? My aunt said it's pretty risky. Are you sure about this?"

"We're sure," Anastasia replied softly. "This is Pattie's chance."

Monica tried to be encouraging. "James is the best surgeon around, Ana. It'll work out. Imagine the celebration when Pattie can talk—barbecue, cake, everyone together! It'll be amazing."

kind of hope was the only thing

to work," she said, more

no energy left to deal with Autumn. Asher had already been arrested, and Anastasia half-expected trouble to come for her next, but the days slipped by quietly.

juggling both Devin

following Herman's orders, keeping tabs on Autumn from the shadows. But after

night with Devin at the

to catch anything scandalous on camera, and without

Walker's career on the rise any hint of drama could backfire. The real problem was, nobody knew how much Mr. Walker actually cared about Autumn-or how much he'd forgive. If he didn't care, or decided to look the other way, Herman's plans would

the picture, Herman couldn't make a move. Autumn, meanwhile, was just as wary. She couldn't risk upsetting the Salstroms or making her husband suspicious, so she left Anastasia alone for the time

anyone knew it,

nervous wreck, her eyelids twitching

into the operating room. Anastasia couldn't bring herself to go-she hid around the corner, quietly crying.

from the Salstrom family gathered at the hospital. Feiman and Katelyn came, along with Flynn, Salma,

was wheeled in, Herman bent down and kissed her forehead. "You're my brave girl," he said softly. "I'll be waiting for