Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 254

But moving forward, even holding her as she slept would become an impossible luxury.

In the dark, he pulled her into a tighter embrace.

A scorching teardrop fell silently, vanishing into her hair without a trace.

That night, there was no passion, no words, only two hearts being forced further apart, agonizing in utter silence.

—

When Willa woke up again, Randal was long gone.

They hadn't even had the chance to say a proper goodbye.

She dragged herself out of bed, ate breakfast, and started packing her things. Halfway through, she realized there was just too much stuff.

Willa crouched in front of the closet, staring at the baby items she had pulled out, and suddenly stopped.

Forget it. She wouldn't pack them.

A severed tie shouldn't leave messy threads behind.

If she took them with her, they would just be a constant reminder of him wherever she went.

She slowly put every single item back in its original place, as if returning this relationship completely to the past.

The day before the wedding, Willa received a text from Naomi.

[Willa, I thought about it. Let's do it exactly like you suggested last time.]

Immediately after, a strange address popped up on her screen.

Willa hesitated, debating internally for a long moment before choosing to trust Naomi.

She still refused to believe that a mother could be utterly devoid of a bottom line when it came to her own child.

She got up, changed her clothes, and got ready to head out.

The bodyguard stationed at the door saw her and stepped forward. "Ms. Vance, are you heading out?"

"Yes, I'm just making a quick trip. I'll be back soon," Willa said softly.

The bodyguard looked hesitant. "Mr. Yates gave orders that it's best you stay inside recently."

She waved the envelope in her hand. "The documents are right here. If you want them, come and get them."

A fierce wave of panic surged through Willa's chest.

She instinctively took a step back, her hand subtly reaching into her pocket to grab her phone and call for help.

"Don't move!"

Stella's smile vanished into a vicious snarl as she snapped out the order.

As soon as the words left her mouth, two massive men lunged out from the cafe's back exit, blocking the door to the private room from both sides.

The bodyguard outside realized something was wrong and immediately shoved the door to get in, but one of the men tackled him, and a brawl broke out in the hallway.

Willa's stomach dropped to the floor, her breathing accelerating uncontrollably.

Stella's lips curled up, making no effort to hide the pure malice in her eyes. "Willa, did you really think I'd let you leave? When you threw that coffee in my face, did you ever consider today would come?"

Willa forced herself to stay rational. "Stella, what the hell do you want?"