Anastasia waspletely caught up in ying with her kids, so much so that she didn''t notice Katelyn''s face change when she mentioned taking them home.


    Without missing a beat, Katelyn scooped little Emmie out of the ypen and said, "Ana, the kids are having such a great time here. Why not let them stay a bit longer?"


    As she spoke, Katelyn encouraged Emmie to call her "Nana.” Emmie, not yet able to speak, reached out to touch Katelyn''s face with a giggle, her dimples showing adorably.


    Anastasia caught onto Katelyn''s unspoken message. She replied just as subtly, “But kids should be with their mom, right? It''s been ages since I''ve seen them, and I''ve missed them so much. Thank you for taking such good care of them."


    As the two women quietly vied for the children''s future, Salma and Monica exchanged worried nces. This wasn''t just about a temporary stay; it was a tug- of-war over custody.


    Legally, Anastasia had custody, but realistically, she was up against the influential Salstrom family.


    Salma chimed in with a warm smile, "We''re all family here. Katelyn, you''ve done such a wonderful job with the kids. We all see it, but it''s only natural for Ana to want to be with them after being apart for so long."


    Katelyn looked at Anastasia, "You can alwayse visit, Ana. With everyone here, we can manage. You can''t let yourself get too down, either. There''s still thepany to think about. With Herman gone, we need to hold things together."


    Her message was clear: Anastasia might have a say in thepany, but the kids belonged at Salstrom Manor.


    Tears welled up in Katelyn''s eyes as she continued, “Ana, I just lost a son. I think of you as my daughter. Emmie and Nancy are my grandchildren. If you take them away, what will I have left? I need something to hold onto."


    Monica, an outsider to this family drama, wisely kept her thoughts to herself. One wrong word could escte the already tense situation between the mother-inw and daughter-inw.


    Both women''s intentions were pure-they both loved the children dearly. One had lost a husband, the other a son. The kids were their lifelines.


    Thinking of herte husband Herman, Anastasia didn''t have the heart to argue with Katelyn. She could empathize.


    She should continue Herman''s role of filial piety towards Katelyn and Feiman. Taking the kids away felt harsh.


    Anastasia nced at Nancy in her arms and said to Katelyn, "Mom, how about I move back to Salstrom Manor? Herman might be gone, but I''m still part of the family. I''ll take care of you, the house, the kids, and thepany."


    Without Herman, the family had lost its pir. Anastasia resolved to be that support.


    With responsibilities to both the older and younger generations, she needed to rise above the situation, rather than fight over custody. They were, after all, family.


    Hearing this, Katelyn''s eyes glistened with gratitude as she hugged her granddaughter tightly, saying, "Thank you, my dear daughter-inw."


    It was these two children that helped Katelyn cope with her grief.


    Anastasia''s decision to move into Salstrom Manor wasn''t opposed by Salma, though she chose not to join them.


    As she prepared to leave Salstrom Manor, Salma said, "Ana, I''ll stay at South Gate with Pattie. You can leave her to me."


    "Mom, Pattie is my daughter too. She should be with me. I don''t want her to feel abandoned."


    Salma shook her head, "Ana, Pattie


    wouldn''t feelfortable at


    .n


    Salstrom Manor. She''s not Herman''s child, and there will always be differences. With Herman gone, Emmie and Nancy growing up, there might be friction, especially with Katelyn''s temperament. Pattie might end up feeling hurt, and you''d be caught in the middle."


    Only a mother could speak so candidly.


    Salma knew how hard it would be for Anastasia to make her mark in the Salstrom family without a supportive family of her own. Her role was to care for Pattie and not add to Anastasia''s burdens.


    Anastasia hugged Salma, grateful for her understanding.


    Her mother''s concerns were valid.


    With Katelyn''s heightened emotions and attachment to the children, Pattie might indeed feel out of ce.


    Anastasia wanted all her children close, but she understood theplexities. In the adult world, not everything goes as nned.


    The Salstrom family was in turmoil, and Anastasia had to focus on the bigger picture rather than get bogged down by these issues. She said, "Ie back with you tonight,


    and talk to Pattie myself. I''ll respect her wishes."