Chapter 410
Katelyn shot her eldest son an incredulous look. âThatâs not the same, Herman. What happened with Ana was before you two got married, and now sheâs carrying your child. Sheâs having a tough time and needs to maintain a positive mood. She canât handle any shocks. I remember when I was pregnant with you, I nearly had a miscarriage because of your grandmotherâs harsh words.â
Mentioning the past still left a bitter taste in Katelynâs heart.
âYour grandmother was never happy with me.â Katelyn continued, âShe kept pushing your father to divorce me and find another woman. She made me so angry that I nearly had a miscarriage. I had to stay in the hospital for a week to protect the baby. Thatâs how we got you, Herman. Pregnant women canât be stressed.â
âMom, youâve been through a lot,â Herman said, observing his mother. He hadnât looked at her closely in a while, and he noticed the fine lines around her eyes. She was no longer youthful.
He never knew how hard and dangerous it was for a woman to bear a child until Anastasia got pregnant. When the doctor said that there was a high chance neither Anastasia nor the baby would survive, he realized it. Despite medical advances, childbirth still carried the risk of death.
Her sonâs sudden sentimentality had Katelynâs eyes welling up. Katelyn smiled and patted/ her son. âThatâs good to know. Things are different now. Youâre married, and youâve chosen the right wife.â
She remembered how cold and reserved Herman used to be. He didnât talk too much, and it was very hard to communicate with him. But now, things were different. Katelyn had noticed the changes in Herman over the past few months.
Thinking of Josephâs existence, Herman began to worry. He was unsure how his mother would react when she learned about it.
âHerman, you said you had a past relationship. When was that? What was her name?â Katelyn hadnât forgotten about that.
âI donât know,â Herman confessed. âIt was a prank by Collin and his friends. I was so drunk. I donât remember the girlâs name or what she looked like.â
âSon, that makes you a jerk,â Katelyn exclaimed, playfully smacking Herman. âYou canât just use and discard women. What if that girl got into trouble because of you? Herman, I never thought youâd be the type to have one-night stands.â
Herman could only stare at Katelyn in silence.
Katelyn continued her rant, âWhat if you got a girl pregnant? The most important thing for a man is not to irresponsibly spread his seed.â
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Chapter 410
Herman sighed, âMom, your imagination is running wild.â
Katelyn countered, âWhat if itâs not imagination? What if itâs reality?â
âThereâs no âwhat ifâ,â Herman retorted. âIf the girl had any issue, she would have sought me out long ago. But she hasnât. Maybe she doesnât know who I am, or sheâs forgotten
about it.â
Katelyn lectured, âYoung people nowadays love to live dangerously. Iâm warning you, Herman. Now that youâre a married man, you need to live honorably. No involvement with gambling, drugs, and illicit sex. Thatâs the Salstrom family motto.â
âYes, Mom, youâre right,â Herman agreed, shifting the topic. âIâm going back to the Salstrom Manor for dinner tonight.â
Katelyn immediately asked, âAre you bringing Ana? Iâm planning to make birdâs nest soup and chicken broth when I get home.â
âAnastasia is at the hospital taking care of Pattie. Weâll discuss it once Pattie is
discharged.â Herman planned to have a talk with Grannie Anita at the Salstrom Manor, and he didnât want to bring Anastasia with him.
Katelyn glanced at her son. âThen Iâll ask Sierra to add a couple more dishes tonight.â
Herman laughed, âMom, without my wife, canât I even have chicken soup?â Katelyn replied, âWhy do you need soup? Youâre not pregnant. Itâs a waste.â
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