The Bound Between Us

Chapter 3
“Anastasia, did you cook up these fake documents to fool me?” Salma was still skeptical, repeatedly questioning the authenticity
of the matter.
“Mom, these are all legally binding, they must be real. If you don’t believe me, you can check it yourself, Anastasia replied –
“And what about your husband? Why didn’t you bring him to meet me?” Salma glanced at the door and continued, “I just asked
you to go on a blind date and get to know the guy first. Why did you rush into marriage? You didn’t even fully understand his
background”
“You know everything already, don’t you? He works at Elysian Technologies, 30 years old, stable job, not bad looking...Anastasia
mentioned her interactions with Herman, saying, “He seems gentle, and his parents are both deceased, no siblings, and a simple
family background. He won’t give us much headache.”
The thought of not having to deal with future mother–in–law issues made Anastasia feel relieved.
It took quite some time for Salma to process this news Holding the marriage certificate, she was torn about whether she was
right to push her daughter into marriage. She knew clearly that she had pressured Anastasia, only marrying in haste to keep her
happy.
Salma had a sickness, cancer, and she hadn’t told Anastasia yet. Since her last failed romance, Anastasia had been hesitant to
date again She worried that when she passed away Anastasia would be alone with no one to care for her, no one to help her out,
no one to feel for her. So, she pressured Anastasia into blind dates, hoping she would find a reliable man and start a family.
Now that things were set in stone, there was no use in saying anything else.
“Ana, have your husband come over and meet me. Salma sat down and said, “Even though you’re legally married now, I still
need to see what kind of man he is.”
“Alright, I’ll ask him later. We can all have dinner together tomorrow, Anastasia said. “Mom, I have to go to work now. It’s too hot
outside, and you’re not in good health. Just rest at home and don’t go out.”
After repeatedly reminding her, Anastasia packed up and left for work. She ran a stall at the Night Market on Alder Drive, selling
handmade crafts she made herself.

To operate the stall, she bought a used car. She set up shop every day at 5 o’clock sharp and didn’t pack up until 11.
When business was good, she could make about ten grand a month. It was more than enough to get by in Riverdale.
She studied jewelry design and started her own little shop when no jewelry company would hire her because of an incident a few
years back.
Once everything was set up, the Night Market started getting busy. Anastasia took the opportunity to text Herman, “My mom
wants to meet you. Are you free to have dinner with us tomorrow?”
After sending the message, she didn’t receive a reply. A customer approached, and Anastasia got busy, not giving it a second
thought.
Business was good tonight, Anastasia made over four hundred dollars. She packed up at 11 on the dot. Sitting in the van
counting her earnings, her phone rang.
It was a text from Herman. [Sorry, I’m on a business trip in Crescent Bay. I’ll arrange the dinner when I get back in a few days.]
Being away on business was a common occurrence for corporate employees. Anastasia understood and simply replied, [Okay]
Anastasia wrapped up her day’s work. Apart from being a married woman now, her life was no different from before. In the
following days, she was always out the door early and back late, she even forgot she had a husband.
One night, she worked until midnight. It started raining, and her car broke down right in front of her house.
Anastasia got out of the car with an umbrella to check on it. This used car had given her trouble a few times before. While it
never had any major issues, minor ones kept popping up.
She didn’t want to buy a new car because the price of a used car was equivalent to half of her annual income. She could only
afford to fix it and continue
using it
After a quick check, she knew she would have to go to the mechanic again. This would cost her hundreds of dollars, which she
was reluctant to spend.

Her house was about a hundred meters away. The rain was getting heavier, and it was late into the night. Anastasia had to leave
the car on the roadside and head to the back of the car to retrieve her things under the umbrella.
She had to bring back all the unsold jewelry. Some needed to be processed, and some were brought by customers for her to fix.
She had to get them done tonight.
The wind was strong. Anastasia struggled with a big box in her arms, her clothes half–soaked. She looked rather disheveled.
Unbeknownst to her, not too far away, Herman, who had just returned from Crescent Bay, was watching the whole scene from
his Rolls–Royce.
Anastasia’s figure looked weak as if she could be blown over by a gust of wind, but she seemed very determined, undeterred by
the storm. When her umbrella was blown away, she was completely soaked, bowed her head, holding the box, and headed
home. She was one of the common folks at the bottom of the city, bearing all the difficulties on her own.
Herman was moved by what he saw. He picked up an umbrella, instructed his driver to return to Salstrom Manor, and got out of
the car to approach Anastasia