The Bound Between Us

Chapter 983

The nanny was gone, and Tavon had no one left to ask for advice.

Sandy said, "Dad, about what Mckenzie told me last night-I couldn't really ask her to stay. Now that our family's fallen, it's only natural she'd want to leave."

"When the roof caves in, everyone heads for the door." Tavon sighed. "Go swap shifts with your brother at the hospital, will you?"

He'd come home early, half-worried the Stantons might run into them at the hospital and cause more trouble.

"Okay, Dad. You should take a break, too." Sandy's voice was unexpectedly gentle. "We've been through enough. I just want us to stick together now, not let things get any worse."

"...Alright." For the first time in a long while, Tavon noticed how much Sandy had changed.

She seemed to have grown up overnight. The stubborn anger she always carried had faded away. She almost felt like the sweet Sandy he remembered from years ago.

After Sandy left, Tavon sat alone on the couch in the living room, gazing around as memories of the Morton family's glory days washed over him. Now it was all gone, and he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret.

He'd always poured his heart into the company, only to see it unravel at the hands of his own kids. Maybe this was karma, after all.

After a while, Tavon climbed the stairs to Ashley's room.

The master bedroom was huge-almost 600 square feet, with a walk-in closet bigger than most people's living rooms, packed with designer clothes and handbags. And that was just one of her closets.

a terrace with sturdy railings,

grew up pampered by the Stantons, and after she married

in the spot where Ashley's accident happened. He lit a cigarette and stared out into the

Riverdale.

At the Franco house-

check on Pattie after her surgery, and collapsed into bed as soon as she

the house

lively home. Her ex-boyfriends were all sweet, clingy types who'd

allowances. He was always busy; even when they managed to go on a date,

she had to act like she was fine with it. She didn't dare make

just

often wondered if she could really handle this

walked over to the big window. Pouring herself a glass of warm water, she just stood there,

by-nine, then ten, then

calls and messages from her boutique, but not a single word

her phone rang. It

up,

Jason over for dinner

with a steady job-Abby had been thrilled. So much better

was even hoping they'd get married soon, so she could finally

not sure he'll be free," Monica said awkwardly.