The Bound Between Us

Chapter 3

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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,

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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

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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

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The Bound Between Us

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