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.

take you home first, then I need to go see my mom,” she

your mom’s? I’ll have

“Okay then.”

back to Salma’s house, using her

wasn’t in the living room: her voice came

the bedroom to find Salma on the phone, asking. “Were all the kids from the orphanage that year

phone with?” Anastasia asked, walking in

guard, Salma quickly hung up, saying, “I’ll

you

come back to my own house whenever I want? Anastasia joked. “Theard you talking about the orphanage and

Gianna can’t have kids? Cynthia thought I could help by contacting the orphanage to see

she’d left Anastasia’s daughter Coincidentally,

the grand-daughter she’d abandoned. She was

she wanted to know was where the

worrying about these things. Gianna can have kids, it’s Joey who can’t,” Anastasia responded. “Gianna decided to divorce. She’s not that old, and she’ll have her

Joey,” Salma added, “The Edmunds family doesn’t agree, so it won’t be easy for Gianna. Anyway, why did you

then came to see you. Here’s some 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.”

need your money. Keep it,” Salma declined. “I have enough. You can give me money when I can’t move anymore. Now, you should use it on yourself. Buy good food and nice clothes.