The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1056

Juliana was pregnant, and she and Scott couldn’t have been happier.

Scott was already in his mid-thirties and still childless, so of course, he’d been anxious. His family had even started nudging him—some not so subtly—to find another woman and have a baby outside the marriage. But Scott, always busy with work and, more importantly, respectful of Juliana, had never given in.

Honestly, things between them hadn’t always been smooth. Their marriage was more of a business deal than a love story, and Juliana hadn’t made things easy. Scott had nearly caved to his family’s wishes more than once. But with the news of the baby, Juliana’s genuine smile returned, and it felt like they’d gone back to the early days of their marriage. Scott swore he felt years younger. The Juliana he’d fallen for was back.

They went to the doctor and got it confirmed—Juliana was just over a month along. The stomach pains had been from early pregnancy symptoms and eating ice cream in the summer heat.

Juliana shuddered at the thought. “I promise, no more ice cream,” she told Scott, half-laughing, half-scared.

“We really have Anastasia to thank for catching it,” Scott said. “You should thank her when you see her.”

That was when they realized Anastasia had slipped out unnoticed.

Juliana nodded. “You’re right. I really owe her.” For the first time, Juliana mentioned Anastasia’s name without any bitterness.

The truth was, Juliana hadn’t always been sharp or petty. She’d only changed after Layna came back to the Stranz family.

Scott brought Juliana home, canceling all his evening meetings just to be with her. This pregnancy was a huge deal for both of them, and Scott couldn’t keep the news to himself—he called his family right away.

Juliana, swept up in the excitement, set aside Anastasia’s earlier warning and called her own family. For years, she’d been the target of whispered insults, called a “barren hen” behind her back, and endured more than enough humiliation. Now, finally, she could lift her chin and smile.

Hearing laughter from both sides of the family over the phone, Juliana felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

Soon, gifts and care packages started arriving from both families—vitamins, soups, expensive treats. Scott’s mother even showed up in person, handing Juliana a bank card and promising her a luxury villa worth millions if she could deliver a baby boy.

Being treated like this, after all those years of being ignored, made Juliana feel dizzy with happiness. She’d spent years in the Stranz family, and with no child, her mother-in-law had always looked down on her. Now, the tables had turned.

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