Chapter 152
Anastasia wasnât sure how much Pattie had heard. After packing up the clothes, she look Pattie for a bath. Pattie was silent, her wounds had healed somewhat, but she still looked very frail. It wasnât something that could be fixed overnight.
Standing under the showerhead, Anastasia was washing Pattieâs hair and face, chuckling âA girl should always take good care of herself. Get cleaned up, and youâll sleep like a baby.â
Suddenly, Pattie asked, âAre you gonna dump me too?â As soon as she said it, tears started rolling down her cheeks, Under Anastasiaâs care, Pattie experienced a warmth she had never felt before.
Hearing this, Anastasia felt a pang in her heart. She hugged Pattie and said, âNever, I wonât abandon you. Donât overthink. Tomorrow, Iâll talk to your mom, and see if I can bring you to live with us. Iâll take you to kindergarten, and youâll meet a lot of new friends, okay?â
Pattie excitedly asked, âCan I go to school?â
Pattie had always wanted to go to school, but Penny was not willing to spend the money for it. Every time they passed by the kindergarten, she could only watch from outside the fence.
Her peers could play together. There were teachers teaching them to dance and do morning exercises. These made Pattie very envious
Anastasia pinched Pattieâs little nose and said, âOf course you can. You have to study hard, go to college, and make a difference in the world.â
Pattie nodded happily, reaching out to hug Anastasia, and said, âYouâre so good to me.â
Pattie wished that Anastasia could be her mother.
âYouâre the sweetest, smartest little darling. I love you the most.â Anastasia said sincerely
For some reason, Anastasia couldnât resist Pattieâs dependence. She just wanted to give Pattie the best life and education.
After the bath, Anastasia put Pattie to bed, gently closed the door, and left the room.
Salma was watching TV in the living room, and Anastasia said, âMom, itâs late, you should go to bedâ
âItâs already 10 p.m, where is your husband?â Salma asked, âIs he often this late?â
âHe sometimes has to work overtime, so he might be late.â Anastasia laughed, âHeâs a programmer, so sometimes he can get a bit busy. You should go to sleepâ
With only three bedrooms in the house and one being used as a study, Salma had to share a room with Pattie. Salma sighed and said, âI heard what you were saying to Pattie. You really make me helpless.â
âMom, money can be earned again, but the opportunity for growth and education only comes once. Pattie being here makes us feel so close,â Anastasia said with a smile. âIf you think my husband and I are too tired, you could help us by picking up Pattie, and sharing the load a bit.â
Salma retorted, Iâm not helping. Iâll let you know how hard it is to raise a child.â
Anastasia knew her mother was just worried about her, and not truly refusing to help. So she sat next to Salma, took her hand, and said, âMom, thank you for raising me.â
âYouâre such a cheeky girl.â Salmaâs eyes welled up, she got up and said, âIâm going to bed, call your husband and see if he has finished his work. Thereâs still warm food in the pot.â
Anastasia smiled and said, âOkay.â
After Salma went to bed, Anastasia showered, and when she lay in bed, she glanced at the clock, it was almost 11 p.m. Then, Anastasia called Herman, but his phone was off.
âWhatâs going on?â Anastasia was a bit nervous, talking to herself. She sent Herman a message but got no response. Even when he was busy, Herman wouldnât Ignore her.
Worried about Herman, Anastasia messaged Flynn. (Could you get in touch with Herman? His phone is off.]
Anastasia didnât want to do this, afraid Herman might think she was keeping tabs on him. But it was late, he hadnât come home, and she couldnât reach him, so she felt uneasy.
Flynn, who had just finished a banquet, received Anastasiaâs message. Although tired, he immediately perked up. Leave it to me.]
After replying to Anastasia, Flynn drove back to Salstrom Manor If Herman hadnât returned to Harmony Meadows, he would have been at Salstrom Manor
When Flynn got home, he didnât see Herman. He asked Katelyn, âMom, have you seen Herman? Anastasia said he hasnât come home.â