The Bound Between Us

Chapter 177

Anastasia held her breath, her nerves kicking into overdrive, heart racing. She stared intently, afraid she would miss something. But as the urine soaked the test strip, it still only showed one line.

Two lines would mean pregnancy. She wasn’t pregnant.

But Anastasia didn’t give up, holding onto a sliver of hope, continuing to watch the pregnancy test, hoping for a miracle, for another line to appear.

One minute, two minutes, five minutes went by. It still only showed one line.

Disappointed, Anastasia tossed the pregnancy test into the trash can, regrouping before stepping out.

“Ana, how’d it go?” Monica, waiting outside, eagerly asked as soon as she saw her

Shaking her head, Anastasia forced a helpless smile. “Nothing.”

Monica seemed a bit disappointed too, quickly saying, “No worries, you guys just got married. Don’t rush, maybe next month.

“Right.”

Even though Anastasia was disappointed, she quickly let it go. Having a baby required certain conditions.

need to go see my mom,” she said.

don’t you just go to your mom’s? I’ll have my boyfriend pick me up. We have

“Okay then.”

Salma’s house, using her keys

wasn’t in the living room: her voice came from the bedroom instead.

walked into the bedroom to find Salma on the phone, asking. “Were all the kids from the orphanage that year sent away? Where

are you on the phone with?” Anastasia asked, walking

guard, Salma quickly hung up, saying, “I’ll call you back another

didn’t you let me know you

whenever I want? Anastasia joked. “Theard you talking about the orphanage and adopting kids, whats

to cover up. “You know Gianna can’t have kids? Cynthia thought I could help by contacting the orphanage to see if she could

ago, Salma had visited the orphanage where she’d left Anastasia’s daughter Coincidentally, she ran into the

meeting Pattie, Salma had been haunted by dreams of the grand-daughter she’d abandoned. She was anxious and decided to

was where the girl was, and if she was

responded. “Gianna decided to divorce. She’s not that old, and she’ll have her own

to say Gianna filed for divorce from Joey,” Salma added, “The Edmunds family doesn’t agree, so it won’t be easy for

money. Anastasia handed over five hundred dollars from her bag. “Mom, when I get my next paycheck, I’ll have more. I’ll give you more then.”

have enough. You can give me money when I can’t move anymore. Now,