The Bound Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177 

Anastasia held her breath, her nerves kicking into overdrive, heart racing. She stared intently, afraid she would miss something. But as the urine soaked the test strip, it still only showed one line. 

Two lines would mean pregnancy. She wasn’t pregnant. 

But Anastasia didn’t give up, holding onto a sliver of hope, continuing to watch the pregnancy test, hoping for a miracle, for another line to appear. 

One minute, two minutes, five minutes went by. It still only showed one line. 

Disappointed, Anastasia tossed the pregnancy test into the trash can, regrouping before stepping out. 

“Ana, how’d it go?” Monica, waiting outside, eagerly asked as soon as she saw her 

Shaking her head, Anastasia forced a helpless smile. “Nothing.” 

Monica seemed a bit disappointed too, quickly saying, “No worries, you guys just got married. Don’t rush, maybe next month. 

“Right.” 

Even though Anastasia was disappointed, she quickly let it go. Having a baby required certain conditions. 

“I’ll take you home first, then I need to go see my mom,” she said. 

Monica replied, “Why don’t you just go to your mom’s? I’ll have my boyfriend pick me up. We have a date” 

“Okay then.” 

Anastasia drove back to Salma’s house, using her keys to enter. 

Salma wasn’t in the living room: her voice came from the bedroom instead. 

Curious, Anastasia walked into the bedroom to find Salma on the phone, asking. “Were all the kids from the orphanage that year sent away? Where did the girls end up? Some were adopted… 

“Mom, who are you on the phone with?” Anastasia asked, walking in curiously 

Caught off guard, Salma quickly hung up, saying, “I’ll call you back another time, thanks.” 

After hanging up, Salma asked. “Why didn’t you let me know you were coming back?” 

“I can’t come back to my own house whenever I want? Anastasia joked. “Theard you talking about the orphanage and adopting kids, whats up?” 

Salma tried to cover up. “You know Gianna can’t have kids? Cynthia thought I could help by contacting the orphanage to see if she could adopt 

A few days ago, Salma had visited the orphanage where she’d left Anastasia’s daughter Coincidentally, she ran into the old director and got his contact info. 

Ever since meeting Pattie, Salma had been haunted by dreams of the grand-daughter she’d abandoned. She was anxious and decided to look into it. 

All she wanted to know was where the girl was, and if she was okay. 

“Mom, you’re always worrying about these things. Gianna can have kids, it’s Joey who can’t,” Anastasia responded. “Gianna decided to divorce. She’s not that old, and she’ll have her own kids one day.” 

“Yeah, Cynthia called this morning to say Gianna filed for divorce from Joey,” Salma added, “The Edmunds family doesn’t agree, so it won’t be easy for Gianna. Anyway, why did you get back so late?” 

“I got promoted today. I just had dinner with Monica and then came to see you. Here’s some money. Anastasia handed over five hundred dollars from her bag. “Mom, when I get my next paycheck, I’ll have more. I’ll give you more then.” 

“I don’t need your money. Keep it,” Salma declined. “I have enough. You can give me money when I can’t move anymore. Now, you should use it on yourself. Buy good food and nice clothes. Don’t shortchange yourself” 

“Mom, just take it. You raised me, can’t I give you some money to pamper you?” Anastasia insisted, leaving the money on the table “You can use it however you want. It would make me happy to give you money.” 

Salma felt proud. Her hard work raising Anastasia hadn’t been in vain.