The Bond Between Us novel Chapter 711

Herman chuckled as he replied to the other parent, "Well, they say daughters take after their dads, don't they?" Whenever folks mistook Pattie for his biological daughter, Herman just went with it, smiling. That's what loving someone else's child as your own is all about. "Daughters take after their dads; sons take after their moms," he often joked. And it was true—little Emmie looked more like Herman too. Monica had once remarked how Emmie and Pattie looked quite similar when they were younger. Perhaps it was all the time spent together; Pattie and Herman had bonded so much that the resemblance seemed to grow. Pattie waved at Herman, signaling him to join her on the ski slopes. Herman stood up and turned to Anastasia, saying, "Honey, I'm going to join Pattie. Don't catch a chill, okay? Just have a little fun, but don’t overdo it." He always worried about Anastasia's health. Anastasia smiled, "Go on, I know my limits." Herman headed over to Pattie, and the friendly lady he was chatting with earlier scooted over to chat with Anastasia. "Your husband is so sweet to you. You can just tell by the way he talks; he's a real gentleman." Anastasia grinned, "He is, he's very kind." The lady looked envious, "You're lucky to have such a handsome, polite husband. I’m going to tell my daughter to look for someone like him when she grows up." She was there with her own daughter, who was a bit older than Pattie at eight. Anastasia agreed, "Choosing a husband is important. It’s not just finding a husband for yourself, but also a father for your children. The father sets the example." "Exactly," the lady nodded enthusiastically. "My husband spoils me too. We've been married for years, and I've never had to cook. He's a chef, and he makes whatever I want. Before I got married, I weighed 120 pounds, now I'm 180. He feeds me too well!" Her face lit up with happiness and a touch of embarrassment as she spoke of her husband. Anastasia joked, "That's what you call expanding happiness!" Talking to someone genuinely content was refreshing. The lady laughed, "Well, I've put on all this weight because of him, so I’m sticking with him for life." "You definitely should," Anastasia laughed. "Hold on to your happiness." Married women always had plenty to chat about. The lady was down-to-earth, honest, and had a good sense of humor. Anastasia hadn't had such a pleasant conversation in a long time. After Herman and Pattie finished a few laps on the slopes, the family headed to the food court to grab some hot dogs. Holding hands, they enjoyed the warm snacks in the chilly air, feeling relaxed and happy. They even came across a professional photographer, and Herman asked them to take a photo of the three of them. Pattie was thrilled. Looking at the photo, Herman smiled, "We should get a full family portrait next time." Pattie gestured enthusiastically: they had to include her little brother and sister too. In Pattie's eyes, her parents and her siblings made their family complete. As they left the ski resort, the sky was darkening. Herman took his wife and daughter out to dinner. Pattie wanted KFC, so that’s where they ended up. Halfway through their meal, Herman went to the restroom, leaving Anastasia and Pattie by the window with their honey-glazed chicken. Suddenly, Anastasia felt eyes on her. Turning around, she saw a face pressed against the glass outside—a face belonging to Cynthia. Cynthia looked disheveled, staring intently at Anastasia and Pattie with a haunting gaze. Frightened, Pattie clung to Anastasia. Even Anastasia felt a chill run down her spine. Cynthia continued to stare, unblinking and unmoving. Remembering that Cynthia knew Pattie's background, Anastasia gently patted Pattie's hand, signaling her not to worry and to stay put. Then she stepped outside. As Anastasia approached, Cynthia broke into a sinister smile, pointing at her and hurling insults, "You little witch, you'll get what's coming to you. Hell awaits the ungrateful." Anastasia wasn't intimidated by the words; they were just words, after all. She remained calm, looking Cynthia in the eye. "Aunt Cynthia, there's no point in this act. I gave you a chance—tell what you know, and maybe Gianna Edmunds will get a lighter sentence." Salma had already warned her that Cynthia was mentally unstable, and while she looked a mess, her hands were clean, with freshly manicured nails.