The Bound Between Us

Chapter 374

“It depends on Joey’s condition,” Herman stated, his voice laced with exhaustion. “I can only bail her out. The rest is up to her.” Anastasia knew better than to push any further. Joey and Gianna’s ongoing feud had no resolution, and their interference would only make things worse.

“You need to rest,” Anastasia urged gently, her heart aching at the sight of her husband’s fatigue.

With Herman by her side, Anastasia felt safe. She climbed into bed and quickly fell into a peaceful slumber.

The next day, Herman left for the office as usual. Before he left, he instructed Anastasia to stay home and rest.

Anastasia complied obediently. Despite the boredom, she knew it was necessary for her unborn child’s safety. She just had to endure a few more months.

In an effort to keep Anastasia company, Herman messaged Monica, asking her to come over. Monica rushed over to their home in Harmony Meadows while Salma took Pattie to school.

Penny’s child was still nowhere to be found. As Salma and Pattie left their neighborhood, they saw Penny returning, her eyes wild and her hair disheveled. She had been searching for her son all night, and her heels were blistered from walking.

Penny stared at Pattie intensely. Pattie was frightened and hid behind Salma. “When she wants to hit me, she looks like that,” Pattie whispered fearfully.

Salma was scared, too. Penny’s sleep-deprived eyes were bloodshot, and her gaze was fierce.

“I’ll protect you,” Salma reassured Pattie, pulling her closer as they crossed the road towards the kindergarten.

Penny followed them, her gaze never leaving them. Salma quickened her pace, leading Pattie into the safety of the kindergarten. She reminded Pattie not to leave with anyone except her.

“I know, Grandma,” Pattie replied obediently, her backpack bouncing on her back as she followed her teacher inside.

As Salma was returning home, she spotted Penny standing on the roadside, her gaze still fixed on Salma. Unsettled, Salma decided to ignore Penny and headed towards the local grocery market.

“Hey, Salma, a neighbor called out. “Are you off to the market too? Let’s go together.”

“Sure,” Salma replied, glad for the company.

The neighbor looked at Penny behind them and sighed, “It’s all self-inflicted. Playing pokers was addictive. If the child is lost, this family will be ruined.”

“Yes, yes.” Salma responded casually, “Playing poker is not good.”

As she spoke, Salma would glance back. Penny continued to follow and would ask anyone she encountered, “Have you seen my son? He’s wearing a black shirt…”

The morning market was very lively and crowded.

Salma walked to the pork stall, “Please, give me a pound of lean meat.”

The owner shouted, “Okay!”

The neighbor asked, “Why are you only buying lean meat?”

Salma smiled and said, “My daughter is pregnant and doesn’t like fatty meat. I’m buying some lean meat to make meatballs for Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

her.”

“Your daughter is pregnant, congratulations!” The neighbor smiled, “Your daughter is so blessed. I’ve met your daughter’s husband, and he’s quite handsome.”

Salma laughed, “Yes, he’s quite a handsome young man. We’re moving this weekend.”

“Where are you moving to?” The neighbor sighed, “Once you move, we won’t see each other so easily anymore. Why are you moving?”

Salma said, “My son-in-law bought a big villa, and we’re moving there. We can keep in touch by phone, and it’s not too far from here, in the Southridge Estates area.”

The neighbor was envious, “That’s a wealthy neighborhood. Your son-in-law must be very capable to afford a house there. A viila there costs tens of billions! What does your son-in-law do for a living?”

“He runs a company and does a little bit of everything. I’m not too sure about the details.”

Hearing the neighbor’s praise and envy, Salma felt a sense of vanity and satisfaction, and without hesitation, she said, “My son-in-law really is very capable. He earns money in one minute that ordinary people can’t earn in a lifetime. He also treats my daughter very well, buying her everything and even putting the house under her name…”

“Then you’re really enjoying yourself! If your daughter has a son, you’ll be even more blessed. It’s incredible!” the neighbor gushed. “I’m also hoping that my daughter will have a son. Her life will be better in the future.” Salma didn’t discriminate between boys and girls, but she was also worried about

the Salstrom family. Even if they say they like girls, eventually, having a son is better. After all, which wealthy family wouldn’t want a son?

The neighbor laughed, “If you want to have a son, I have a secret recipe. I gave it to my daughter-in- law and she gave birth to two boys in a row.”

Salma was very curious, “Really? What is the recipe? I want to give it to my daughter too.”

“I’ll go back and get it for you later…”

The two were chatting very enthusiastically. The market was crowded, and Salma was too engrossed in the conversation to notice Penny following behind them.

Penny heard everything the two said. Anastasia was pregnant? Pattie had just been adopted not too long ago, and now Anastasia was pregnant?

Penny’s entire expression turned gloomy and vicious, with a hint of madness in her eyes.

She was convinced that Anastasia had stolen her son’s luck. Her son was gone, and Anastasia was pregnant. It was all because of Anastasia’s child that her son got missing.

This thought grew wildly in Penny’s mind, and she eventually concluded that her son’s disappearance was caused by Anastasia. Penny became increasingly mad and paranoid. She stumbled home and grabbed Leo, who had also been searching for their son all night and had just returned. “I tell you, it’s Anastasia who harmed our son. The fortune teller said that our son’s fate was connected to Pattie’s. After Pattie left, our son disappeared. After Anastasia adopted Pattie, she became pregnant so quickly. It must be Anastasia who did this.”

Penny rambled on, repeating, “It’s Anastasia’s fault…”

Leo asked, “Is Anastasia really pregnant?”

“I heard it with my own ears. They fought with us for Pattie before, always acting against us. They just wanted to use Pattie to have a son. It must be like that.” Penny insisted, “Leo, go get Pattie back. When Pattie comes back, our son will return. They’re moving this weekend. They must be feeling guilty, otherwise, why would they move?”

Leo was affected by Penny’s words. When he thought about the fact that they had a son after adopting Pattie, and that Anastasia was pregnant while their son was missing, Leo’s eyes widened, his fists clenched, and a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes, “It’s Anastasia’s fault…”