Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 107

That afternoon, she was knee-deep in video editing. The inaugural cut for the heritage series was nearly locked in.

She planned to push it live within the next forty-eight hours.

When the doorbell chimed, she assumed it was a package. But when she swung the door open, she was face-to-face with Scarlett Sterling.

Flanking her were two massive men in tailored black suits.

Willa tightened her grip on the doorknob, freezing in place.

Scarlett looked her up and down, a venomous, syrupy smile curving her lips. "Ms. Vance. Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Willa wanted to slam the door in her face, but a quick glance at the muscle behind her confirmed she didn't have a choice.

She took a slow step back, her voice utterly deadpan. "Come in."

Scarlett stepped over the threshold, her eyes dissecting the living room. "Settling in nicely, are we?"

Willa remained anchored by the door, refusing to give up ground. "Cut the crap, Scarlett."

Scarlett turned around, oozing aristocratic superiority, the condescension in her eyes burning bright.

"I told you from the start, I don't give a damn if he keeps a pet on the side. You played the saint and swore you'd never stoop so low. And look at you now. Playing house."

Scarlett glided over to the espresso machine, pulling a shot with the casual entitlement of a woman who owned the deed to the property.

She sank onto the plush sofa, crossing her legs, and took a delicate sip of the brew.

Instantly, her face contorted in disgust. "You actually drink this garbage? He strictly drinks Panama Geisha."

Willa felt her blood turn to ice.

She had never even heard of that roast.

She knew Randal needed caffeine the second he woke up. She had brewed him coffee a dozen times, and when she asked how it was, he just said, 'It's fine.'

She had stupidly believed him.

Scarlett didn't wait for an answer. "Because his brother loved it. Jace was obsessed with it, so Randal forced himself to acquire the taste, and now it's a habit."

The air vanished from Willa's lungs.

Drinking in Willa's shattered expression, Scarlett's satisfaction soared.

"What? He never mentioned it? Not surprising. He refuses to breathe his brother's name to anyone."

She stood up, pacing elegantly toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. "Ms. Vance, I didn't come here to fight you. I came to do you a favor and make you realize one simple truth..."

She spun back around, locking eyes with Willa. "You are a tourist. You will never belong in his world."

Scarlett let the silence drag before delivering the kill shot. "The venue for our engagement is locked in. The invitations are in the mail. You are a footnote. You change nothing."

Willa finally found her voice, shockingly steady. "Then why are you standing in my living room? If you've already won, what are you doing here?"

Scarlett's smile cracked, just a fraction. "I came out of the goodness of my heart, to let you save some dignity before the press shreds you."