The Bound Between Us

The moment Layna heard the word "Paradise," she tensed up. And when "love letter" followed, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Without a second thought, Layna snatched the letter and began reading aloud, "Dear Sweetheart..."

“Layna! Who said you could read that?” Andrew practically exploded, snatching the letter back, his face burning. "Don't you have any manners?"

This was his very first love letter. Andrew was mortified-he was a guy, pride was everything, and Layna airing his feelings in front of everyone made him want to vanish on the spot.

Juliana frowned, clearly annoyed. "Andrew, why are you always picking on your cousin? Layna took the afternoon off to see you. What's the harm in letting her read what you wrote?"

Andrew folded the letter with exaggerated care, handed it off to another boy, and shot Juliana a glare. "Auntie, my mom only had one kid. I don't have a sister, and I never asked her to come here. Grabbing other people's stuff-no manners at all. But I guess that's what happens when you come from a small town."

Andrew was the Stranz family's notorious little rascal, never one to flatter or spare anyone's pride. As the only son, he was the crown jewel-spoiled rotten.

Layna, on the other hand, had grown up in an orphanage. She was first adopted by Duncan, and only later did the Stranz family claim her. Her early years were all about survival-no parents, no one to teach her anything. If she wanted something, she had to fight for it herself.

If she'd simply accepted her fate, she'd still be at the orphanage, or living out a hard life with Duncan.

She might still be young, but Layna knew exactly what she wanted: a better life. She was fragile, yes, and selfish at times, not above scheming to get her way. Duncan had cared for her for years, given her everything he could, but when Layna returned to the Stranz family, she didn't look back. Not even once.

Andrew's words cut deep. Layna's face turned scarlet, her eyes brimming with tears. She bit her lower lip, looking like she'd just suffered the world's biggest injustice.

was about to cry. "She's family. You're the older one-you should be more considerate." Andrew just rolled his eyes, all casual

It was my fault for taking Andrew's things. Andrew, I'm sorry. Was

now even Andrew was

look at

"Andrew, that Paradise girl isn't right for you. She's so spoiled and has a terrible

Paradise?"

but hearing Juliana bad-mouth Paradise put him in

Juliana's face turned sour.

it weren't for

related-and the Strafez family, being

powerfululiana would

have

Layna to

hospital at all. s

were talking, an elegant woman walked in. Spotting Juliana,

And Layna too-you

It was Andrew's mother.

"Hi, Mom," Andrew said.