The Bound Between Us

Chapter 22

She’d been busting her chops over Herman’s marriage, practically hunting for a perfect spouse for him.

Herman went and tied the knot without telling the family. If it wasn’t for Flynn spilling the beans, Katelyn would still be in the dark

Katelyn craned her neck, itching to see what her daughter–in–law looked like Herman quickly grabbed Katelyn’s arm, stopping her from going in, and whispered, “Mom, why didn’t you give me a heads up?”

He now regretted involving Flynn in finding a house because the guy had a mouth like a sieve.

Katelyn shot Herman a look and said. “You got hitched without telling us. I’m here to see my daughter–in–law, not you”

Herman, Don’t frighten her…”

“I know, I’m not some sort of ogre. You look like a cat on a hot tin roof. It’s hilarious,” Katelyn chuckled, growing more excited to see why her usually cool–as–a–cucumber son was all rattled up.

Inside, Anastasia, who was having breakfast, could hear Herman gabbing away outside the door but couldn’t make out what he was saying or to whom.

Anastasia curiously walked over. “Herman”

The sight of Herman in conversation with a stylishly dressed matron puzzled her even more.

On seeing Anastasia, Katelyn’s eyes lit up. “She’s a locker, like a delicate young lady,” she gushed.

From the get–go, Katelyn was smitten with Anastasia. She was over the moon with her new daughter–in–law.

looked at Herman in confusion.

said, “Anastasia, this is my

me ‘aunt,” Katelyn chimed in, not letting her son be put on the spot. She found out from her younger son Flynn that her elder son had lied about his parents being dead to win his wife.

a faint smile and said, “Anastasia, you can call her ‘Aunt Aunt, this is my

thought, “Another

she was a distant relative, Anastasia warmly said, “Aunt, please come in and sit

these relatives of Herman’s. Last time, he mentioned a distant brother, now

that her two sons were pulling a fast one on her, so she had come to see for herself. Now that she had met her daughter–in–law, she

of juice. “Aunt, here’s some orange juice for

washed some fruits for Katelyn. “Aunt, would you like some fruit? Let me

fuss, take a load off. Let Herman do the work, you can’t spoil him. I’m thrilled about your marriage”

bracelet and said, “I didn’t bring anything else with me, so

though she couldn’t afford expensive materials, she could tell at a glance that

extravagant, I can’t accept it.” Anastasia

I have many like this at home.” Katelyn insisted on slipping the bracelet onto Anastasia’s wrist, and said, “See, it suits you

Herman said, “Just take it, it’s her thought that counts.”

ordinary, she could accept it, but this was too expensive. And the giver was a

this clueless.

returned it to Katelyn. “Aunt, I really can’t accept such

this bracelet back”

was even more pleased with Anastasia’s refusal to accept the gift, which was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It proved that she wasn’t

chuckled and said, “Alright, I’ll keep the bracelet for you for now, but I’ll still give it to you in the future”