The Bond Between Us ( Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1096

Anastasia hadn’t been at the station long when Herman showed up.

He’d already picked up Feiman and Katelyn, and when he realized Anastasia wasn’t home, he made a few calls and found out she was at the police station.

After taking Anastasia home and hearing the whole story, Herman said, “When Scott gets back, I’ll have a talk with him. He needs to keep his wife in check.”

If it had been a man causing trouble, Herman would have handled it himself.

“Juliana was really out of line this time,” Anastasia said, letting out a long sigh. “But honestly, it seems like her miscarriage wasn’t just some random accident.”

Anastasia had lost a child before—drugged by the nanny, left to suffer because of Gianna Edmunds’ delay. That kind of pain, the heartbreak of losing a child, she knew all too well.

As a mother, she knew how unbearable that grief was.

She could understand Juliana’s anger, even her lashing out.

But understanding didn’t mean agreeing, or just letting it slide.

“That’s their family’s business. Whether it was an accident or not, let her figure it out. But to pin it on you and storm into the Salstroms’ place? That’s not something we can just ignore.”

Anastasia squeezed Herman’s hand. “Let’s not talk about this during the holidays. It’s supposed to be a happy time.”

…

The whole thing barely made a dent in the Salstrom family.

But for the Stranz family, it was like a bomb went off.

Even Scott, who was overseas, got a call from home. Mrs. Goad was on the line, ranting and raving about Juliana’s latest mess.

“Son, Juliana’s lost her mind! She went after the Salstroms, accused Mrs. Salstrom of killing her kid—what kind of crazy talk is that? Those families barely know each other! She falls at home and blames someone else, drags them to the police for a showdown…”

Mrs. Goad was getting more worked up by the minute. “It’s so embarrassing! I can’t show my face anymore. Why do we need a daughter-in-law like this? Just find another woman, have a child—just don’t let the Stranz family line end.”

Scott pinched the bridge of his nose as he listened. After hanging up, he called Herman to apologize.

“No,” Juliana admitted. “Anastasia’s too smart—she wouldn’t leave any evidence. And the nanny won’t talk. It’s so frustrating.”

“Enough,” Scott said sternly. “Juliana, if you want our marriage to last, you need to stop. Anastasia has no reason to hurt you. The Salstroms and the Stranz family aren’t enemies. Don’t make things worse. You’re putting the family—and me—in a terrible position.”

“She has every reason! Paradise and Layna have problems, and Anastasia holds a grudge. That’s why she did it.”

“That’s a stretch,” Scott said, completely worn out. “Juliana, just stop.”

“You don’t love me anymore,” Juliana said quietly. “You must have someone else. Your mother told you to find another woman and have a child.”

“This is ridiculous,” Scott replied, not even bothering to argue. “Think whatever you want, Juliana. But everyone’s patience runs out eventually. Stop pushing mine.”

He left it at that and headed upstairs.

Layna was sitting on the stairs. As Scott walked by, he noticed her and frowned, wanting to say something. But he just didn’t have it in him anymore, so he let it be.