The Bound Between Us

Chapter 247

The moment she sent the message, Herman replied right away: [I’ll be home for dinner.]

Anastasia was overjoyed when she saw this. As a woman, what she wanted was pretty simple, a little care and attention from her man.

The thought of Herman coming home for dinner was all Anastasia needed to start preparing a rib stew.

As Anastasia bustled around the kitchen, Pattie and Salma played in the room, their laughter ringing out every now and then. Everything was so cozy and homey. Anastasia started to prepare two more side dishes. Just as she finished chopping the vegetables, Alessia called her.

Anastasia asked, “What’s up, Alessia?”

“Anastasia, that tip you gave me last time really did the trick. My mother-in-law is now keeping her big mouth shut.” Alessia sounded so cheerful, she could tell from her tone, “I’ve been buying her clothes, only the most expensive ones, and even giving her a massage. Next thing I know, I’m the talk of the town; everyone’s praising me for being a great daughter-in-law. You should’ve seen the sour look on my mother-in-law’s face. I felt so satisfied.” Alessia said.

Seeing Alessia in such high spirits, Anastasia chuckled, “Well, this is just a temporary fix, Alessia. You don’t want to ice her out completely, or the resentment between you two will only grow.”

“I get it.” Alessia said, “I’ve got to go back to work tomorrow.”

Anastasia was taken aback, “So soon?”

‘The company’s promoting me; I can’t let this golden chance slip by.” Alessia laughed over the phone, “Honestly, I’m so pumped right now. I’ve been waiting for this promotion for so many years. Now I’ve

got my career and my kid, I feel like I can take on the world.”

Anastasia was happy for Alessia and said, “Congratulations, Alessia! You’re excelling at both work and home.”

“I owe it all to you.” Alessia said, “Ever since you joined the company, my son was born early, my mother-in-law has been behaving, and I got a promotion. You’re my lucky charm.”

Anastasia laughed, “I didn’t do anything.”

Alessia insisted, “You’re my lucky charm, Anastasia. When are you coming back to work?”

“I might have to wait a bit.” Anastasia said, “My mom hurt her leg. The kids at home also need me.”

Alessia was confused, “Kids?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you another time.” Anastasia said.

“Alright, I’ll be waiting for you at the office. I’m throwing a promotion party this Friday night. You must come. I’ll text you the location.” Alessia said.

“Sure, I’ll be there.” Anastasia answered.

After hanging up, Anastasia noticed that the ribs were almost done. She lowered the heat and started mixing the salad.

Herman arrived home at seven in the evening. Hearing the door open, Pattie excitedly rushed over to greet him, “Dad, mom bought me lots of beautiful dresses and toys today.”

The moment he walked in, his heart warmed at the sound of his child calling him Dad and the aroma of home-cooked food wafting from the kitchen. It was such a simple yet heartwarming moment.

Herman smiled as he placed his car keys on the table, changed his shoes by the door, and affectionately ruffled Pattie’s hair, “Did you have fun today?”

“I did.” Pattie’s smile resembled a crescent moon in its cuteness.

Seeing Pattie’s smile made Herman pensive. Pattie’s smile was so much like Anastasia’s. When they smiled, they both displayed those beautiful dimples. Anastasia emerged from the kitchen with the rib stew and said with a smile, “You’re home. Go wash your hands; we’re about to have dinner.”

She called out toward the kitchen, “Mom, dinner’s ready.”

Salma was on a call in the another room but hung up immediately upon hearing Anastasia’s voice.

Herman took Pattie to wash their hands. Seeing Anastasia serving the dishes, he instructed Pattie to sit down and went to the kitchen to help with the dishes. Anastasia saw him serving the dishes and prepared two plates of dip. One plate had coriander because she and her mother both loved coriander, and the other plate didn’t, as Herman was allergic to it.

“Dinner’s ready.” As the family of four sat down for dinner, Pattie took a seat next to Herman.

Anastasia carefully selected the best ribs for Pattie and her mother, placing them on their plates, and served herself a piece of potato.

She had just taken a bite when another rib appeared on her plate, placed there by Herman, He said, “You should eat more meat to get more protein.”

Anastasia felt a warm sensation in her heart.

Seeing how well her daughter and son-in-law were getting along, Salma was elated.

“Mom, I want some dip too.” Pattie said, eyeing the coriander dip.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.

“Sure.” Anastasia picked up a rib, dipped it into the coriander sauce, and cautioned, “This sauce is a bit spicy, so be careful.”

Anastasia’s dip, made with chili, cream cheese, and coriander, indeed had a spicy kick.

Pattie loved it and took a bite, smiling. Seeing that Pattie liked it, Anastasia dipped a few more pieces of ribs and placed them on her plate.

Salma said, “Don’t just take care of the child, you need to eat too.”

Anastasia replied with a “Mmm.” She served herself a piece of meat and then glanced at Herman.

The family enjoyed a wonderful dinner together.

After dinner, Herman stood up to clear the table. Salma, who had difficulty walking, sat on the sofa and watched TV, while Anastasia took Pattie to wash up and prepare for bed.

While Anastasia was preparing the bath, she noticed that Pattie was incessantly scratching her skin, “What’s wrong, Pattie?”

Pattie kept scratching her arms and neck, saying, “Mom, I’m so itchy.”

Anastasia just noticed that Pattie had red spots all over her neck and arms. When she looked under Pattie’s clothes, she found her body covered in red rashes.

Anastasia panicked and shouted, “Herman, come here quickly!”

Herman rushed over from the kitchen, “Anastasia, what’s wrong?”

“Pattie’s body is covered in red rashes. I think she’s having an allergic reaction.” Anastasia blurted out, “We need to take her to the hospital right now.”

Before she could complete her sentence, Pattie started vomiting and showed signs of rapid breathing. Anastasia went pale with fear. Herman’s face also changed drastically. He immediately picked up Pattie, “Get the car keys. We’re going to the hospital.””

Herman, carrying Pattie, rushed toward the door. Salma, hearing the commotion, asked, “What’s going on?”

In a panicked state, Anastasia replied, “Pattie’s having an allergic reaction. We’re taking her to the hospital, Mom. Wait for us at home.”

Hearing the news, Salma immediately responded, “Okay, go quickly. Call me with any updates.” She didn’t want to be a burden due to her limited mobility.

As Herman and Anastasia rushed Pattie to the hospital, Anastasia was overwhelmed with anxiety and worry.

Pattie kept vomiting and had difficulty breathing. The red dots on her body were multiplying. In a voice full of pain, she said, “Mom, Dad, I feel terrible. Am I going to die?”

“No, don’t be scared. Mom and Dad are right here with you. We’re almost at the hospital.” Anastasia’s heart was in her throat.

Herman looked serious while driving and arranging a doctor over the phone. Upon their arrival, a doctor immediately met them and escorted Pattie to the emergency room. They anxiously waited outside the ER. Herman held Anastasia’s hand, comforting her, “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine.”

Anastasia looked pale and blamed herself, saying, “I must have fed Pattie something she shouldn’t have eaten. It’s all my fault.”

Herman comforted her, “Don’t jump to conclusions yet. Let’s see what the doctor says. Pattie’s condition isn’t that critical. I’ve been through something similar before, and I’m fine now, aren’t I?”

Herman had a similar allergic reaction when he accidentally ate coriander as a child. While they were talking, a doctor came over to ask what Pattie had eaten to identify the allergen.

Now it was certain; Pattie was having an allergic reaction.

Recalling what Pattie had eaten today, Anastasia said, “She had ribs, potatoes, things she’s eaten before without any problem. Oh, and the coriander in the dip. She had coriander.”

Remembering Herman’s allergy to coriander, Anastasia suspected Pattie might also be allergic to it.