The Bound Between Us

Chapter 246

Ever since her breakup with Melinda, Anastasia felt uneasy, with her eyelids twitching non-stop, as if something was about to happen.

Anastasia and Pattie took a cab back to Harmony Meadows, where they ran into Leo at the entrance.

Suddenly, Leo’s little boy began to cry. Leo tried to reach for a toy in the stroller to soothe him but accidentally spilled all the fruits and veggies on the ground. He was attempting to calm the child and pick up the stray tomatoes simultaneously when his phone started ringing. Clearly, Leo was flustered and irritable, struggling to manage everything.

Pattie left Anastasia and hurried over to help collect the tomatoes.

Seeing Pattie, Leo looked surprised and relieved. Pattie’s actions made him feel guilty. Anastasia also joined in, helping to retrieve the veggies and place them back in the stroller.

Leo felt embarrassed as he said, “Thanks! I didn’t realize how challenging kids can be. I used to think it was easy and would often blame my wife.”

Leo was rarely at home, so he didn’t spend much time with the child. With Penny absent, he was left to care for his son, which explained why everything seemed so chaotic. Anastasia noticed that the child’s clothes were on backward, and his socks didn’t match. The little boy stopped crying when he saw Pattie, as they had bonded due to Pattie spending a lot of time with him at home.

Anastasia said, “Taking care of kids is indeed no easy feat.”

Leo glanced at Pattie, who was dressed beautifully like a little princess under Anastasia’s care. He sighed, “Pattie’s better off with you than with us.” He felt ashamed.

He told Pattie, “You need to study hard and be obedient in your new home; don’t be willful.”

Pattie obediently nodded and replied, “Okay.”

Anastasia, holding Pattie’s hand, said, “Pattie, say goodbye to the gentleman.”

Leo was no longer Pattie’s guardian, so she didn’t need to call him dad anymore.

Pattie waved at Leo and said, “Goodbye, sir.” Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Hearing Pattie call him sir, Leo felt a bit uncomfortable, but he had no right to say anything anymore. When Pattie used to call him dad, he didn’t live up to the responsibilities of a father.

Anastasia, holding Pattie’s hand, headed towards building three, unit one.

Watching Pattie’s departing figure, Leo’s eyes filled with helplessness and guilt. He shouted, “Be a good girl.”

Pattie looked back at Leo. Leo waved at her, indicating for her to follow Anastasia. After Pattie disappeared around the corner, Leo sat down on a nearby flower bed with his little boy, and muttered to himself, “I don’t deserve it. Pattie’s living a better life with someone else.”

Back home, Salma greeted them with her walking stick and said, “You’re back.”

Pattie took out a piece of candy from her pocket and said, “Granny, this is for you.”

Salma was thrilled and exclaimed, “Pattie even brought me a gift. What a good girl.”

Anastasia changed her shoes at the door and said, “Pattie’s been thinking about you. Every time she sees something tasty, she says she wants to bring some back for granny.”

Salma, still beaming, replied, “Really? What a thoughtful kid.”

Anastasia suggested, “Pattie, why don’t you play with granny for a bit? I’ll go make dinner. Your dad will be home soon.”

Pattie agreed, taking Salma’s hand and retrieving her Barbie doll. She said, “Granny, let’s dress up the doll together.

Salma had accepted Pattie in her heart. The girl was indeed very lovable. Now that things had come to this, she might as well treat her like her own granddaughter.

Anastasia watched Pattie interacting with Salma, feeling content. She glanced out the window at the sunlight streaming in, illuminating the balcony’s plants. Everything appeared beautiful. If Pattie were their biological daughter, if that incident had never occurred, their marriage could have been blissful. She would have taken care of the kids and her mom at home while he worked outside. Her loved ones would have been around, and her ideal life would have been realized. She would have cherished this warm life deeply.

She entered the kitchen to prepare dinner and sent him a text, asking: [What time will you be off work, and are you coming home for dinner?]

The better the days became, the more she realized the need to address matters with Herman sooner rather than later. Otherwise, it would be an even greater shock for him.