Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 255

"What do I want?" Stella's laughter grew even more unhinged. "I want you to be exactly like me, completely humiliated in front of everyone."

She stepped closer, her cold gaze dropping to Willa's stomach, brimming with bitter resentment. "You're nothing but the daughter of a murderer. What right do you have to hook Randal? While I have to be mocked by everyone and live like a total joke!"

Cold sweat pooled in Willa's palms. She slowly backed away, turning her body to sprint toward the door.

But Stella didn't give her the chance.

The moment Willa turned, the man next to her lunged, seizing her arms in a vice grip.

Willa thrashed wildly, but being over five months pregnant, her strength was nothing against him. Every frantic pull was completely useless.

She opened her mouth to scream, but a damp cloth was suddenly clamped over her mouth and nose. A pungent chemical stench flooded her senses.

She fought to hold her breath, but the drug was overwhelmingly strong. The world before her eyes began to twist and spin.

The shouts of the bodyguard outside grew further and further away, fading into a blur.

Her body went completely limp. Right before her consciousness slipped away, she heard Stella's venomous voice: "Careful, don't hurt the baby. It's not time for that yet."

—

Willa was jolted awake by the freezing cold. She struggled to pry her eyes open and took in her surroundings.

She was in a basement. There were no windows, only a heavy iron door.

A single bulb hung from the ceiling. It wasn't entirely pitch black, but the room still felt chillingly bleak.

The air was damp and moldy, laced with the metallic tang of rust and rot. A few broken cardboard boxes were piled in the corner.

She pushed against the floor, trying to sit up, only to realize her wrists were tightly bound.

She looked down. Nylon zip ties dug deep into her skin.

The blood in Willa's veins turned to ice.

She never imagined Sophie's theory would be so horrifyingly accurate.

Jealousy was far more terrifying than hatred. It needed no justification to completely warp a person's soul.

Sharp pangs of discomfort flared in her stomach. Willa bit down hard on her lower lip, deliberately trying to provoke her. "Stella, I thought you were smart, but it turns out you're just a disposable pawn in Scarlett's hands."

Stella's face stiffened before twisting in sheer rage. "What nonsense are you spewing?! Do you think I'm stupid? Who the hell is Scarlett Sterling to use me as her weapon?"

As she spat the words, her eyes swam with a fierce, blinding hatred.

Willa couldn't make sense of it anymore.

If Stella hated Scarlett, then why exactly did she kidnap her?