The Bond Between Us novel Chapter 22

This lady was Herman's mom, Katelyn.

She'd been busting her chops over Herman's marriage, practically hunting for a perfect spouse for him.

Herman went and tied the knot without telling the family. If it wasn't for Flynn spilling the beans, Katelyn would still be in the dark.

Katelyn craned her neck, itching to see what her daughter-in-law looked like. Herman quickly grabbed Katelyn’s arm, stopping her from going in, and whispered, “Mom, why didn’t you give me a heads up?”

He now regretted involving Flynn in finding a house because the guy had a mouth like a sieve.

Katelyn shot Herman a look and said, “You got hitched without telling us. I’m here to see my daughter-in-law, not you.”

Herman, Don’t frighten her…”

“I know, I’m not some sort of ogre. You look like a cat on a hot tin roof. It's hilarious,” Katelyn chuckled, growing more excited to see why her usually cool-as-a-cucumber son was all rattled up.

Inside, Anastasia, who was having breakfast, could hear Herman gabbing away outside the door but couldn't make out what he was saying or to whom.

Anastasia curiously walked over. "Herman."

The sight of Herman in conversation with a stylishly dressed matron puzzled her even more.

On seeing Anastasia, Katelyn's eyes lit up. "She's a looker, like a delicate young lady," she gushed.

From the get-go, Katelyn was smitten with Anastasia. She was over the moon with her new daughter-in-law.

Anastasia looked at Herman in confusion.

Herman said, “Anastasia, this is my…”

“Distant relative. You should call me ‘aunt,’” Katelyn chimed in, not letting her son be put on the spot. She found out from her younger son Flynn that her elder son had lied about his parents being dead to win his wife. If that cat got out of the bag, he would lose his wife, and it would be a disaster.

Herman gave his mother a faint smile and said, “Anastasia, you can call her ‘Aunt.’ Aunt, this is my wife, Anastasia.”

In Anastasia's mind she thought, “Another distant relative?”

Upon hearing that she was a distant relative, Anastasia warmly said, “Aunt, please come in and sit down.”

Anastasia really had no clue about all these relatives of Herman's. Last time, he mentioned a distant brother, now there was an aunt.

Katelyn's heart swelled with joy. She had been worried that her two sons were pulling a fast one on her, so she had come to see for herself. Now that she had met her daughter-in-law, she was reassured.

Anastasia poured Katelyn a glass of juice. “Aunt, here’s some orange juice for you.”

Then she washed some fruits for Katelyn. “Aunt, would you like some fruit? Let me get you some.”