Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 265

"No need. It's inappropriate," Willa rejected him coldly without a second thought.

Randal froze, his expression a complicated mix of overwhelming emotion and desperate restraint.

Just then, Sophie knocked anxiously on the bedroom door. "Willa, are you guys done?"

Pulled out of his daze, Randal opened the door, stepped past Sophie, and walked out.

Sophie stared in disbelief. "Was he... crying?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Willa couldn't hold it in any longer. She slowly crouched down, covering her mouth with her hands as her long-suppressed sobs finally broke free.

Sophie hurried over to hold her, frantic. "Did he say something to upset you again?"

Willa shook her head. She wanted to explain, but she was already sobbing too hard to speak.

This overdue farewell had finally drawn the absolute conclusion to a romance that had withered away five years ago.

There were no hysterical arguments, no tangled resentments. All the deep-seated love, hatred, and obsessions had quietly dissolved into a silent sense of relief.

They had finally gone their separate ways in peace.

When she had cried until she had no tears left and her legs were numb, she stopped.

She stumbled to her feet. "Sophie, when can we leave?"

"When do you want to leave?" Sophie asked.

"As soon as possible."

Sophie nodded. "Okay. I'll go tell my brother to set it up."

Corbin had always been efficient. Within a week, he had handled all the paperwork.

He came over personally to give Willa the news, holding a neat stack of documents and an itinerary.

"The tickets are booked. The day after tomorrow at two in the afternoon, flying direct to Geneva."

Willa gave a faint nod, her eyes devoid of much emotion.

Corbin said nothing, but the tips of his ears turned red once more.

Sophie glanced at her brother with a smirk, then quickly hooked her arm through Willa's. "Are you sure you won't reconsider my brother? He's honestly pathetic—it's a miracle he ever shows interest in a woman. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in his thirties and still unmarried."

Willa rolled her eyes at her. "Stop messing around."

Corbin's expression didn't change. He simply gave Willa a quiet look, turned, and walked away.

Sophie muttered at his retreating back, frustrated by his lack of initiative. "So cowardly."

Willa started toward the security checkpoint when a voice suddenly called out from behind. "Willa."

She didn't look back, quickening her pace instead.

Sophie stumbled slightly trying to keep up. She glanced over her shoulder and her face fell. "Willa, it's Randal..."

"Keep walking," Willa cut her off.

But the footsteps behind her grew closer, and a hand clamped firmly around her wrist.