Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 268

But what was the point? Looking at her wasn't going to change anything.

"Willa," Corbin asked, "when do you plan on telling him the truth about Nugget?"

Willa's expression remained perfectly serene. "Mr. Sommers, Nugget only has one father."

A faint smile rippled through Corbin's eyes as he softly replied, "Alright."

She quickly added, "But, if you ever decide to get married, I will personally explain everything to your wife. Nugget won't be a burden on your life."

The smile on Corbin's face instantly shattered. "I have no intention of getting married," he said flatly.

He left that very afternoon, and Willa didn't try to make him stay.

Corbin had kept his expression carefully neutral, but his lonely silhouette couldn't hide his crushing disappointment.

"Nugget," Willa whispered, gently stroking the sleeping child. "I think Uncle Corbin is upset."

But Corbin was young, successful, and handsome. He deserved to find a woman of equal standing, get married, and start a real family. He had no reason to hang his hopes on her.

In the middle of the night, Sophie sent her a text.

[Willa, what happened with my brother? He came back looking absolutely miserable, and he won't tell me anything.]

Willa replied: [He's probably just tired from work.]

Sophie sent an eye-roll emoji.

[Who are you kidding? When has he ever let work ruin his mood? Did you reject him?]

Willa didn't reply, pretending she had fallen asleep.

It was raining in Norvale when their flight landed.

Willa walked out of the terminal with Nugget in her arms and immediately spotted Corbin waiting by the exit.

He was holding a long black umbrella, his expression placid.

Spotting her, he strode forward and smoothly took her luggage. "The car is outside."

"Why are you here?" Willa asked. "Sophie said she was picking me up."

Corbin looked away. "Sophie had something come up last minute and asked me for a favor."

His Adam's apple bobbed heavily as his hand lifted of its own accord, wanting to touch the child's cheek.

But just as his fingers extended, Willa shifted her body, seamlessly avoiding his touch.

He slowly withdrew his hand from mid-air, awkwardly asking, "What's his name?"

"Nugget."

"Have you... been well... this past year?"

Willa looped her arm through Corbin's and smiled faintly. "You already know everything, don't you?"

Randal's gaze locked onto the hand Corbin had resting on Willa's shoulder. He ruthlessly forced down the bitter jealousy surging in his chest.

Ever since he found out she was returning, he had rehearsed this exact reunion countless times in his head.

He didn't dare act impulsively. He didn't dare lose his composure, terrified that one wrong move would scare her away again.

Clinging to a desperate sliver of hope, he carefully tested the waters. "Are you two... married?"