The Bound Between Us

Chapter 410
Katelyn shot her eldest son an incredulous look. “That’s not the same, Herman. What happened with Ana was before you two
got married, and now she’s carrying your child. She’s having a tough time and needs to maintain a positive mood. She can’t
handle any shocks. I remember when I was pregnant with you, I nearly had a miscarriage because of your grandmother’s harsh
words.”
Mentioning the past still left a bitter taste in Katelyn’s heart.
“Your grandmother was never happy with me.” Katelyn continued, “She kept pushing your father to divorce me and find another
woman. She made me so angry that I nearly had a miscarriage. I had to stay in the hospital for a week to protect the baby. That’s
how we got you, Herman. Pregnant women can’t be stressed.”
“Mom, you’ve been through a lot,” Herman said, observing his mother. He hadn’t looked at her closely in a while, and he noticed
the fine lines around her eyes. She was no longer youthful.
He never knew how hard and dangerous it was for a woman to bear a child until Anastasia got pregnant. When the doctor said
that there was a high chance neither Anastasia nor the baby would survive, he realized it. Despite medical advances, childbirth
still carried the risk of death.
Her son’s sudden sentimentality had Katelyn’s eyes welling up. Katelyn smiled and patted/ her son. “That’s good to know. Things
are different now. You’re married, and you’ve chosen the right wife.”
She remembered how cold and reserved Herman used to be. He didn’t talk too much, and it was very hard to communicate with
him. But now, things were different. Katelyn had noticed the changes in Herman over the past few months.
Thinking of Joseph’s existence, Herman began to worry. He was unsure how his mother would react when she learned about it.
“Herman, you said you had a past relationship. When was that? What was her name?” Katelyn hadn’t forgotten about that.
“I don’t know,” Herman confessed. “It was a prank by Collin and his friends. I was so drunk. I don’t remember the girl’s name or
what she looked like.”
“Son, that makes you a jerk,” Katelyn exclaimed, playfully smacking Herman. “You can’t just use and discard women. What if that
girl got into trouble because of you? Herman, I never thought you’d be the type to have one-night stands.”

Herman could only stare at Katelyn in silence.
Katelyn continued her rant, “What if you got a girl pregnant? The most important thing for a man is not to irresponsibly spread his
seed.”
Herman sighed, “Mom, your imagination is running wild.”
Katelyn countered, “What if it’s not imagination? What if it’s reality?”
“There’s no ‘what if”,” Herman retorted. “If the girl had any issue, she would have sought me out long ago. But she hasn’t. Maybe
she doesn’t know who I am, or she’s forgotten about it.”
Katelyn lectured, “Young people nowadays love to live dangerously. I’m warning you, Herman. Now that you’re a married man,
you need to live honorably. No involvement with gambling, drugs, and illicit sex. That’s the Salstrom family motto.”
“Yes, Mom, you’re right,” Herman agreed, shifting the topic. “I’m going back to the Salstrom Manor for dinner tonight.”
Katelyn immediately asked, “Are you bringing Ana? I’m planning to make bird’s nest soup and chicken broth when I get home.”
“Anastasia is at the hospital taking care of Pattie. We’ll discuss it once Pattie is discharged.” Herman planned to have a talk with
Grannie Anita at the Salstrom Manor, and he didn’t want to bring Anastasia with him.
Katelyn glanced at her son. “Then I’ll ask Sierra to add a couple more dishes tonight.”
Herman laughed, “Mom, without my wife, can’t I even have chicken soup?” Katelyn replied, “Why do you need soup? You’re not
pregnant. It’s a waste.”