The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 745

Anastasia was completely caught up in playing with her kids, so much so that she didn’t notice Katelyn’s face change when she mentioned taking them home.

Without missing a beat, Katelyn scooped little Emmie out of the playpen and said, “Ana, the kids are having such a great time here. Why not let them stay a bit longer?”

As she spoke, Katelyn encouraged Emmie to call her “Nana.” Emmie, not yet able to speak, reached out to touch Katelyn’s face with a giggle, her dimples showing adorably.

Anastasia caught onto Katelyn’s unspoken message. She replied just as subtly, “But kids should be with their mom, right? It’s been ages since I’ve seen them, and I’ve missed them so much. Thank you for taking such good care of them.”

As the two women quietly vied for the children's future, Salma and Monica exchanged worried glances. This wasn’t just about a temporary stay; it was a tug-of-war over custody.

Legally, Anastasia had custody, but realistically, she was up against the influential Salstrom family.

Salma chimed in with a warm smile, “We’re all family here. Katelyn, you’ve done such a wonderful job with the kids. We all see it, but it’s only natural for Ana to want to be with them after being apart for so long.”

Katelyn looked at Anastasia, “You can always come visit, Ana. With everyone here, we can manage. You can’t let yourself get too down, either. There’s still the company to think about. With Herman gone, we need to hold things together.”

Her message was clear: Anastasia might have a say in the company, but the kids belonged at Salstrom Manor.

Tears welled up in Katelyn’s eyes as she continued, “Ana, I just lost a son. I think of you as my daughter. Emmie and Nancy are my grandchildren. If you take them away, what will I have left? I need something to hold onto.”

Monica, an outsider to this family drama, wisely kept her thoughts to herself. One wrong word could escalate the already tense situation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Both women’s intentions were pure—they both loved the children dearly. One had lost a husband, the other a son. The kids were their lifelines.

Thinking of her late husband Herman, Anastasia didn’t have the heart to argue with Katelyn. She could empathize.

She should continue Herman’s role of filial piety towards Katelyn and Feiman. Taking the kids away felt harsh.

Anastasia glanced at Nancy in her arms and said to Katelyn, “Mom, how about I move back to Salstrom Manor? Herman might be gone, but I’m still part of the family. I’ll take care of you, the house, the kids, and the company.”