The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

No matter how hard Autumn tried to make Anastasia look guilty-hinting at affairs and stirring up doubts-Katelyn just wouldn't have it. She stood by Anastasia, firm as ever, insisting there was nothing wrong with her marriage and that she was completely innocent.

Everyone still remembered what happened with Grannie Anita. If Julie hadn't meddled back then, Anastasia wouldn't have lost her baby. Sometimes, Katelyn couldn't help but think: If that little boy had been born, he'd be calling her "Grandma" by now. The thought always stung.

With that in mind, Katelyn looked at Autumn and said, "You know, Autumn, Ana's really been through a lot. Back then, my Grannie Anita listened to Julie's gossip, dosed Ana, and made her lose the baby. I can still picture that little one. It's a pain the Salstrom family will never get over."

But Katelyn wouldn't play along with Autumn's little schemes. No matter how much Autumn tried to steer the conversation, Katelyn dodged every trap, leaving Autumn fuming inside.

Trying again, Autumn pressed, "Losing a child like that must leave a scar. Don't you think maybe Anastasia holds a grudge? Maybe she blames your family, and..... well, maybe that's why she might " She left the sentence hanging, hoping Katelyn would jump in and accuse Anastasia of revenge or infidelity.

Katelyn just shook her head. Suddenly, she slapped her palm on the table and said, "Of course she's angry! Who wouldn't be? I'm angry, the whole family's angry! Julie—what a snake. I treated her so well, and what did she do? Stir up trouble, be cruel, and cost me a grandson. As if that wasn't enough, she went and got plastic surgery to look like Kayleigh and tricked Flynn-almost got him locked up! Julie was nothing but trouble."

Autumn's hands balled into fists under the table. She wanted to scream, but all she could do was grit her teeth and fake a smile while Katelyn trashed her daughter.

Was that all? Not even close.

Katelyn grabbed Autumn's hand, leaning in. “Autumn, don't you think people like Julie deserve what they get? She destroyed Grannie Anita and tried to blame my daughter-in-law. Dying in prison-that's karma if you ask me."

Autumn's jaw clenched tight. She would never say a bad word about her own daughter, dead or alive. But with Katelyn staring her down, she had to nod and force out a smile.

Katelyn squeezed her hand. "Don't you think people like that are just... rotten to the core, Autumn?"

"... Yes," Autumn managed through gritted teeth, the words scraping out like they hurt. Being forced to insult her own child with a smile on her face was almost unbearable.

Autumn was so angry she could barely see straight.

Katelyn, oblivious, beamed at her. "I knew you'd understand, Autumn! We don't

put up with ungrateful backstabbers. We stick together, right?"

"...Right. Absolutely." Autumn could feel her fake smile slipping.

Still not finished, Katelyn dragged Julie's mother into it too. "You know, they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Julie ended up selfish and vicious-her mom must not have been any better. I heard she was always running around, cheating on Devin. She died of some illness, and honestly, good riddance."

Katelyn was talking about Devin's wife-Julie's stepmother-completely clueless

that Autumn, Julie's real mother, was sitting right in front of her.

But every word landed like a slap. Autumn could feel her patience snapping.

She shot to her feet. "Katelyn, I just remembered something at home. I need to

go."

If she stayed another minute, she was going to explode long before she managed

to stir up trouble between Katelyn and Anastasia.

Katelyn, still eager to gossip, called

after her, "You're leaving already,

Autumn? I haven't even told you

halfnoveldrama

the awful things Julie did-she was unbelievable-❞

Autumn cut her off, voice tight. "Katelyn, I really have to go."

"Well, alright. Do you want me to-" Katelyn was interrupted by her phone ringing.

It was the nanny calling from home-Joseph's son, Daria, had a fever.

Feiman was out, Joseph was on a trip, so the nanny had no choice but to call Katelyn.

Katelyn sounded completely unmoved. She just said, "Daria's got a fever? Take him to Hope Hospital. I'm not a doctor-what do you want me to do about it?" fo