The Bound Between Us

Chapter 33
Monica consoled Salma. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up, Salma You were just looking out for Anastasia*
Looking towards the living room, she muttered, ‘Maybe destiny thought Anastasia got the short end of the stick these past years,
so it threw her this marriage as a way to make up for the bad luck.”
Salma replied, “Herman seems like a pretty good catch”
Monica hadn’t filled Salma in on Herman’s real identity. Since Anastasia and Herman were still sleeping in separate beds, spilling
the beans would backfire. Knowing Anastasia, she would march straight to city hall and file for divorce.
However,
they fell in love, the tides could turn.
Lunch was a feast, all hand–made by Anastasia with a little help from Herman.
Everyone gathered around the table, and Anastasia cheerfully greeted everyone, “Hope you’re all starving. Dig in! Ms. Katelyn,
Herman mentioned you’re into light dishes. These are pretty mild and should be up your alley.”
“Absolutely perfect. Katelyn chuckled, her eyes sweeping over Anastasia and Herman. Her words carried a double meaning.
Not only was the food just right, but her daughter–in–law was also just what she hoped for.
Anastasia didn’t catch the subtext, but Monica did. It seemed Katelyn was quite pleased with her new daughter–in–law.
With the mother–in–law hurdle cleared, the rest should be smooth sailing.
Monica felt a bit relieved then presented a gift with a smile. “Ana, here’s a little something for your wedding. May you grow old
together and have kids
you grow
soon.”
“Monica, you’re too kind” Anastasia took the gift, smiling faintly. “Thank you.”

Katelyn added, “Well, you’re married now. Time to start thinking about kids. You bounce back quicker when you’re young, right
Salma?”
Salma, considering the occasion, agreed, “It’s a good time to start planning.”
When she heard the blessing to have children soon, Anastasia blushed. Seeing both elders pressuring her, she stole a glance at
Herman.
Herman stated, “As for having kids, let’s just go with the flow.”
With Herman’s comment, the topic was dropped. If a man didn’t want kids, it could mean he was not ready to take on a family, or
he wasn’t prepared to spend his life with his wife and build a complete family.
Monica tentatively asked, “Herman, you’re 30 now. Most guys your age are itching to have kids. You say you’re not in a rush, but
you must have some sort of plan, right?”
Seeing everyone pushing her to have kids, Anastasia felt a bit awkward.
Herman glanced at Anastasia, then answered honestly, “No plans. We’ll let fate decide.” He figured she wasn’t ready to have
kids either, so he wasn’t in a hurry.
But Monica found his response a little too casual. She worried Herman was just toying with Anastasia but couldn’t say much
more.
*Come on, let’s eat,” Anastasia said, changing the subject with a smile. “Mom, try some of this. Ms. Katelyn, Flynn, dig in. Don’t
be shy, make yourselves at home.”
In this setting, Flynn could only stay silent, but he replied with a smile, “Thanks, Ana.”
The lunch went on without a hitch.
Katelyn was very warm towards Salma, striking up a casual conversation, mostly about Anastasia’s childhood.
Katelyn, of course, wanted to know more about their family. Learning Salma worked in a hotel, she didn’t look down on her at all.
Instead, she felt sorry for Salma’s hardship. Raising a child alone was no easy task.
Katelyn was very impressed with Salma. They got along so well, they dropped formalities and started calling each other ‘dear‘.

After lunch, Herman took the initiative to clean up, letting Anastasia rest and dragging Flynn into the kitchen.
Looking at the pile of dishes in the sink, Flynn didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Herman, I don’t do dishes.”
Leaning against the fridge, Herman replied nonchalantly, “Anyone with half a brain can do it.”
Flynn,
Flynn reluctantly accepted the task, donning gloves and getting to work. “Herman, why don’t you hire a maid, or have someone
sent from home?”
Herman grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and began to supervise. “A wage earner can’t afford a maid.”
Flynn murmured, “Herman, you have a wife. Do you really have to pretend to be poor? You two running a stall at the Night
Market, living in this tiny house.... This house isn’t even as big as our swimming pool.”
Herman glanced at Anastasia in the living room. “She’s different from other girls. She wants someone on the same level, living in
the same world.”
Flynn, “The world of the poor?”