The Bound Between Us

Chapter 407
Anastasia had a child before the wedding, which was enough for old-fashioned Grannie Anita to write off all of Anastasia’s
virtues. She blew the issue out of proportion, casting doubt on Anastasia’s character.
If Anastasia could get pregnant before marriage, Anita thought she must be loose, and there was a high chance she was being
unfaithful. The more Grannie Anita thought about it, the angrier she got, as if Anastasia had really cheated on Herman. She
made her own assumptions and jumped to conclusions.
Slamming her hand on the table, Grannie Anita said angrily, “She’s nothing but a slut. I bet the baby she’s carrying isn’t a
Salstrom. I’ll have it investigated.”
Julie felt a surge of joy when she heard Grannie Anita’s suspicions, but she maintained a calm exterior, saying, “But Granny, if
the baby isn’t Herman’s, then whose is it?”
“I’ll find out who the real father is, and we’ll see how that fox tries to wriggle her way out of it,” Grannie Anita declared.
“Granny, if that’s true, that would tarnish the Salstrom family name. Herman would never believe it. Even if you do have it
investigated, we shouldn’t let Herman find out,” Julie suggested. “If the baby really isn’t. Herman’s, what do you plan on doing?”
Grannie Anita knew how much her grandson loved Anastasia. Even if something was found out, he might not believe it. But if
there was another man involved, the child in Anastasia’s womb definitely couldn’t be kept.
Grannie Anita thought Julie was too naive to be told about these dirty matters, so she simply said, “I’ll handle it.”
After hearing that, Julie felt reassured. As long as Grannie Anita had her doubts, it would be easy to fabricate a lover.
“Granny, it’s getting chilly out. Let me take you home,” Julie offered sweetly.
“That sounds lovely, dear Julie.” Grannie Anita seemed to find some comfort.
Meanwhile, Anastasia had no idea about Grannie Anita’s ill intentions. She was in the hospital parking lot seeing off Monica
when Monica said, “Ana, that Grannie Anita is no pushover. She’s quite the handful.”
Anastasia gave a bitter smile and replied, “If I can’t fight her, I can at least avoid her.”

“The Salstrom family is alright except for Grannie Anita. She’s still causing trouble even in her old age.” Monica suddenly
remembered something, asking, “Ana, do you really not remember that guy from Neon Dreams? Do you have no recollection of
who Pattie’s biological father is?”
Anastasia had tried to recall, but her memories were too blurry. She shook her head and said, “I’m not sure.”
She wasn’t entirely honest, because during her intimate moments with Herman, fragments of her blurry past would sometimes
surface. These overlapping, blurry memories sometimes gave her the illusion that the man from five years ago was Herman, but
she knew that was impossible.
Monica sighed, “I’m worried that if that man shows up one day, Herman won’t be able to accept it, and the Salstrom family won’t
back down.”
Anastasia had thought about this too. She was afraid. Making light of the situation, Anastasia joked, “In a melodramatic twist,
that man might show up, see Pattie as a Salstrom girl, and be tempted by the family fortune. It could turn into a soap opera about
fighting for inheritance and custody. Isn’t that how romance novels usually go?”
Anastasia also worried about her life turning into a soap opera. Her experiences over the past few months could easily be turned
into a Cinderella-style romance novel.
Seeing Anastasia still able to joke about the situation, Monica felt reassured and joined in, joking, “Or there could be another
twist where Pattie’s biological father is actually Herman. You and Herman had a one-night stand years ago. Isn’t that the plot of
most modern romance novels? I’ve even fantasized about running into a super-rich guy, having a baby with him, and getting a
huge child support payment.”
Anastasia laughed, “You’re selling your child.”
“Selling to the child’s father isn’t illegal,” Monica joked. “It’s actually quite a fantasy. I might write a novel about it.”
Anastasia laughed and said, “You can dream, but don’t daydream while driving. Be safe.”
“Alright, Ana. Don’t stay out in the cold too long. I’m off,” Monica said confidently, hopping into her BMW and driving off.
Anastasia stood in the same spot for a moment, thinking about Katelyn and Feiman’s hasty departure. She decided to give
Herman a call...