The Bound Between Us

Chapter 201

Anastasia took a cab to Riverdale prison. Her nerves on edge the entire way.

She wanted to know the truth but was also filled with fear, contemplating backing out. She had a hunch that the truth might affect her current life, but she didn’t want to live in confusion and illusion.

After a mental tug–of–war, Anastasia decided to step into the prison.

She applied to visit Cason but was turned down. The prison’s reason was that Cason had caused trouble in prison and could not receive visitors for a year.

A glimmer of hope in Anastasia’s heart was instantly doused, like cold water on a flame. She left the prison feeling defeated and aimlessly wandered the streets.

Then, her phone rang. It was Alessia from AL Jewery’s sales department. Alessia had called to check up on her during her hospital stay.

“Hey, Alessia” Seeing the caller ID, Anastasia answered, quickly adjusting her mood.

Alessia asked warmly over the phone, “Anastasia, how are you feeling? Are you better?”

“Yep, I’m all good. Got discharged from the hospital today” Remembering she missed Alessia’s big event, the birth of her child, Anastasia offered, ‘Alessia, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to come over and see your baby.”

“Of course, I’d be thrilled. I’ll text you the address,” Alessia replied joyously.

“Great”

Anastasia smiled, hung up the phone, and received Alessia’s text with the address.

She went to a nearby mall to buy gifts for the child and Alessia and then hailed another cab.

Alessia lived in a posh neighborhood in Riverdale, in a large flat over 200 square meters. Anastasia pressed the doorbell with gifts in hand. It didn’t take long for the door to open, and it was Alessia’s mother–in–law, Dana.

Dana, not exactly a picture of warmth, didn’t look too pleased. She called out to the house, “Alessia, your friend’s here.” Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Instead of taking the gifts from Anastasia, Dana let Alessia take them enthusiastically.

“Anastasia, come in. You’re looking quite well. Are you fully recovered?”

“I’m back to my old self.” Anastasia smiled and glanced around the spacious flat. The view was amazing, with a large floor–to–ceiling window. “Alessia, where’s the little one?”

“The baby’s taking a nap in the bedroom.” Alessia took Anastasia’s hand and led her to the bedroom.

Once they entered the bedroom, Dana appeared like a ghost, offering to take the baby for a walk.

“No need,” Alessia said coldly, shutting the bedroom door in Dana’s face.

Dana did not hide her displeasure.

Anastasia, as an outsider, could sense the tension between Alessia and Dana. She didn’t probe further, instead, she went to look at the

baby.

The baby was only three months old, chubby, and adorable, sleeping peacefully.

‘What a cutie.” Anastasia couldn’t help but gush.

Alessia looked at her child with a loving gaze. “Yes, he’s changing every day. But sometimes, he can be a handful. Crying all night, it’s driving me nuts. Look, Ir losing hair in clumps.” Despite her complaints, Alessia’s eyes were filled with tenderness when she looked at her baby.

Anastasia sighed. “Being a mom is really tough.”

“You’re telling me.” Alessia continued, “When I was pregnant, I was bloated and couldn’t sleep well. I thought things would get better after the baby was born. Now, I wish I could put him back in my belly. I haven’t been able to go back to work because of him. Dana insists that I breastfeed.”

Unable to convince Dana, and her own heart full of maternal love, Alessia decided to breastfeed her child.

Anastasia tried to comfort her. “It’ll get better once the baby is a bit older and stops breastfeeding. Look how adorable he is.”

Alessia cracked a slight smile. Just then, the baby woke up and started crying loudly.

As soon as the baby started crying, Dana’s voice came from the other room. “Did the baby wet his diaper or poop? You young people really don’t know how to take care of a baby, I offered to help, but you refused.”

Alessia’s face turned sour at Dana’s nagging.