The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1015

That night was an endless tangle of longing, the air thick with unspoken desire.

Her body was a temptation he could never resist.

Southridge Estates glowed with warmth and laughter, but at the Stranz house, the atmosphere was colder than Emmie's frosty glare.

It was already eleven, and Scott still hadn’t come home. Juliana sat by the window, eyes searching the night, loneliness gnawing at her. If it weren’t for the little one at her side, the silence would’ve swallowed her whole.

“Aunt Juliana, can I sleep with you tonight?” Layna asked, her voice as sweet as honey, always so well-behaved with Juliana.

“Of course,” Juliana answered, more than happy for the company. “Tonight, you’re with me.”

“Aunt Juliana, why isn’t Uncle Scott home yet?” Layna curled up in Juliana’s arms, her voice small and worried. “Is it because he doesn’t like me? Is that why he doesn’t come home?”

Juliana smoothed Layna’s hair, her tone gentle. “No, sweetheart, not at all. Your uncle’s just got a lot going on at work. When you’re older, you’ll understand. My Layna is the best girl ever.”

Scott was the oldest son, running the Goad Group, but Mr. Goad had more than one kid to keep track of.

Juliana and Scott lived with Layna in their own cozy place, not at Salstrom Manor. The kids were all grown now and liked having their own space.

Juliana moved out after marrying Scott.

She was twenty-eight, in her prime—gorgeous, with a killer figure, though she didn’t always have the sharpest mind. She doted on Layna, never saying no.

With Scott always away on business or caught up in dinners, Juliana poured all her love into Layna. A woman without a man’s affection feels like a flower left to dry out.

“Aunt Juliana, I didn’t get first place today. Are you mad at me?” Layna’s voice wavered.

“Of course not.” Juliana pressed a kiss to Layna’s forehead. “You’re amazing. Everyone slips up sometimes. Next time, you’ll beat Paradise for sure. And remember what I told you—one day, you’ll marry into the Wisman family. Your job is to win Justin’s heart before that other girl does.”

Layna was only eight, but Juliana was already drilling these ideas into her. If Scott overheard, it would be another fight.

Layna’s eyes flashed with a stubborn spark. “Justin is mine.”

“When winter break comes, I’ll take you to the coast so you can spend time with the Wisman family,” Juliana schemed, laying the foundation for Layna’s future. “And remember, when you’re with them, keep that little temper in check, okay?”

Layna nodded. “Aunt Juliana, you’re the best. No one treats me like you do.”

Desperate not to wake Mr. Walker, Autumn answered in a whisper, “Why are you calling me this late?”

Her voice was tight, tinged with anger and anxiety, with a guilty edge she couldn’t hide.

His bluntness made Autumn’s blood run cold.

“Stop it. Don’t call me again. Are you trying to ruin me?” she hissed. “We’re done. Don’t contact me anymore.”

“It’s definitely mine,” Devin said, almost giddy. “Autumn, I’m gonna be a dad again. Make sure you have my son, and we’re set for life.”

With Mr. Walker as the perfect cover, if Autumn had a boy, Devin could just sit back and reap the rewards.

“Shut up—” Autumn started, but before she could finish, Mr. Walker’s voice came from behind her.

“Autumn, who are you talking to?”