The Bound Between Us

Chapter 993

Pattie sat beside James, her lips trembling as she tried to follow his lead. The

whole living room seemed to hold its breath, every eye fixed on her, a cocktail of hope and worry swirling in the air. She opened her mouth, willing the words to come, but nothing happened.

Anastasia and Herman tensed, their faces etched with concern. Pattie felt her eyes sting, panic rising as she looked helplessly at her parents.

No sound. Not even a whisper.

Anastasia forced a gentle smile, her voice soft but shaky. "It's okay, honey. Don't rush. We'll take it slow. Try saying 'mom' for me, alright? Ma...ma.....”

She was holding herself together by a thread. She had to stay strong for Pattie— she couldn't fall apart first.

Herman's jaw was clenched so tight it looked painful. "Pattie, sweetheart, don't be scared. We're right here. Let's try again, okay? Say 'dad'—just once, for me.”

It was the first time they'd ever taught their eldest daughter how to speak.

When Emmie and Nancy were learning to talk, Anastasia and Herman had been there for every word, every stumble, every giggle. But Pattie had grown up apart from them—they'd missed her first steps, her first words, missed feeding her applesauce with a baby spoon, missed tucking her in after bedtime stories.

Anastasia had always regretted not being there for those moments. Now, life had handed her a second chance-but under circumstances she'd never wished for.

She would have given anything just to see Pattie healthy and whole, with no need for this painful do-over.

Her nose prickled, and she felt herself teetering on the edge of tears.

silence, afraid to even

it another try, sweetheart." Nancy and Emmie balled their little fists, voices piping up. "You can

wiped her cheeks and nodded, summoning her courage for another

the whole house seemed to freeze-the air

it had been so long since she'd spoken that her

and Anastasia were ready to scoop her up and comfort her, when suddenly—a raspy,

"...Da...dad... Daddy... Ma...mommy..."

nearly a croak,

other, joy and disbelief warring on their

you did it!" Salma nearly squealed, tripping over

it again, sweetie. Say it again just

scratchy, almost comical, but to her family, it sounded like music. She tried again, and

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"Ma...mommy. Daddy. Grandma.

brother. Nana. Grandpa.

member, in the

at coming after Salma, but she hid it

help himself-he kissed Pattie's forehead. "You're amazing, Pattie. I'm so proud of

pressed a kiss to her cheek, her voice thick with love.

in place. "Sis,

"Me too!"

and the two little girls planted noisy kisses on her cheeks,