The Bond Between Us novel Chapter 1042

The moment Layna heard the word "Paradise," she tensed up. And when "love letter" followed, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Without a second thought, Layna snatched the letter and began reading aloud, “Dear Sweetheart…”

“Layna! Who said you could read that?” Andrew practically exploded, snatching the letter back, his face burning. “Don’t you have any manners?”

This was his very first love letter. Andrew was mortified—he was a guy, pride was everything, and Layna airing his feelings in front of everyone made him want to vanish on the spot.

Juliana frowned, clearly annoyed. “Andrew, why are you always picking on your cousin? Layna took the afternoon off to see you. What’s the harm in letting her read what you wrote?”

Andrew folded the letter with exaggerated care, handed it off to another boy, and shot Juliana a glare. “Auntie, my mom only had one kid. I don’t have a sister, and I never asked her to come here. Grabbing other people’s stuff—no manners at all. But I guess that’s what happens when you come from a small town.”

Andrew was the Stranz family’s notorious little rascal, never one to flatter or spare anyone’s pride. As the only son, he was the crown jewel—spoiled rotten.

Layna, on the other hand, had grown up in an orphanage. She was first adopted by Duncan, and only later did the Stranz family claim her. Her early years were all about survival—no parents, no one to teach her anything. If she wanted something, she had to fight for it herself.

If she’d simply accepted her fate, she’d still be at the orphanage, or living out a hard life with Duncan.

She might still be young, but Layna knew exactly what she wanted: a better life.

She was fragile, yes, and selfish at times, not above scheming to get her way.

Duncan had cared for her for years, given her everything he could, but when Layna returned to the Stranz family, she didn’t look back. Not even once.

Andrew’s words cut deep. Layna’s face turned scarlet, her eyes brimming with tears. She bit her lower lip, looking like she’d just suffered the world’s biggest injustice.

“Andrew, apologize to your cousin,” Juliana urged, noticing Layna was about to cry. “She’s family. You’re the older one—you should be more considerate.”

Andrew just rolled his eyes, all casual indifference. “I don’t have a sister.”

Juliana opened her mouth to argue, but Layna swallowed her hurt and put on a dazzling, crystal-bright smile. “It’s okay, Aunt Juliana. It was my fault for taking Andrew’s things. Andrew, I’m sorry. Was this letter for Paradise? Do you like her?”

On the surface, Layna looked pure and innocent, but inside, jealousy was eating her alive.

Justin liked Paradise. And now even Andrew was picking on her because of Paradise.

Andrew’s mother beamed, “Really? Layna, that’s so thoughtful of you.”

Andrew rolled his eyes at all the adult small talk. “Mom, I’m tired. I’m gonna catch a nap.”

In other words: time for everyone to clear out.

“Oh, you…” Andrew’s mother gave him a gentle scolding, but she wouldn’t actually disturb her precious boy if he wanted to sleep.

“If Andrew wants to rest, Layna and I will head out. We’ll stop by another time,” Juliana said, picking up the hint.

The whole visit was just for show anyway. Now that Andrew’s mother had seen them, mission accomplished.

Andrew’s mother nodded. “Let me walk you downstairs.”

As they rode the elevator down, Juliana couldn’t help but add, “Cynthia, Andrew’s already eleven. Kids his age get crushes so easily. You might want to keep an eye on him. I just saw him writing a love letter—for that Salstrom girl, you know, the one from the other side of the family.”