Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 264

"Let me tell you, Willa doesn't need your concern. Go back to being the perfect son-in-law and stop sickening us with your presence."

Randal took a deep breath, reining in his usual hostility, and softened his tone. "Sophie, just let me see her. I just need to say a few words."

Sophie blocked the doorway, refusing to budge an inch. "No. Willa just got out of the hospital, and she's not fully recovered. Seeing you is only going to upset her. Get out."

"Then... how is she doing?"

"She's doing perfectly fine," Sophie rolled her eyes, deliberately emphasizing her words. "She's eating well, sleeping well, and the baby is perfectly healthy."

"Oh, and by the way, this is a Sommers baby. Your Yates family has no right to even think about it."

Randal's body gave a violent jolt. His lips moved several times, but not a single word came out. His hands clenched tightly at his sides.

Unmoved, Sophie twisted the knife. "You chose Scarlett, so stop messing with Willa. She has my brother to take care of her now. She doesn't need your fake sympathy."

Just as Sophie finished speaking, Willa's voice drifted from inside the house.

"Sophie, let him in."

Sophie glanced back at Willa, pouted, and reluctantly stepped aside.

She leaned in close to Randal and glared at him, warning him in a harsh whisper, "You'd better not say anything to agitate her. She just got out of the hospital. Her body can't take the stress."

Randal's gaze locked onto Willa.

She stood quietly in the center of the living room, dressed in loose loungewear. Her complexion looked much better than before, but the eyes that looked back at him were so devoid of emotion that a sudden, inexplicable panic gripped his chest.

They stared at each other across the room. Neither spoke first, and an oppressive silence filled the air.

Randal suddenly realized that this time, he was truly going to lose her forever.

Yet strangely, the earth-shattering devastation he expected didn't come.

Randal looked down at her. He looked as if he had a thousand things to say, but they all dissolved into a single sigh. "Nothing in particular. I just wanted to see you."

"There's really no need. The Sommers family has been treating me very well."

Randal's fingers curled inward. He hesitated before asking, "And... Corbin?"

Willa nodded, giving a dismissive "Yeah."

"That's good..." The bitterness in Randal's voice was practically overflowing, but he forced a tight smile. "Willa, as long as you're happy."

Willa looked away. "Randal, if you're done, then leave. Don't come here again."

"Okay," Randal replied softly, choking on the word.

He hesitated for a long time before his desperate longing finally forced out a tentative question. "Willa... can I hug you one last time?"