Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 121

"I mean it!" Sophie exclaimed, her anxiety flaring up again.

"You're not stupid, and I haven't lost my mind," Willa said. "Crash the wedding? Burst in, slap him in front of everyone, and scream that he's a cheating jerk? Or maybe I should fall to my knees and beg him not to marry her?"

She gave a self-deprecating smile. "And then livestream the whole thing so I can secure tomorrow's headline: *Mystery Woman Disrupts High-Society Engagement, Third Party Intervenes in Yates-Sterling Union.*"

"Now that would be thrilling," Sophie muttered.

Sophie was at a loss for words. "Willa, you..."

"At the end of the day, I'm just the woman he keeps on the side, while Scarlett is his legitimate fiancé. If I keep my head down and don't make a scene, he might still remember our past and help my father out."

Sophie spoke with a muffled voice, "Willa, my heart just breaks for you."

"I know," Willa's tone softened. "But stay out of this. I'll handle it myself."

"So what's your plan?"

Willa glanced out the window. "I'll finish packing first, and then... figure out a way to leave."

"Is it safe on your end? Will he..."

"No, he's not here today."

"Call me if you need help."

"I will."

Hanging up, Willa stood and began to pack her bags.

Truthfully, most of her things were already packed.

The suitcase had been sitting in the corner of the guest bedroom for days. Randal had been too guilty to step foot in her room lately, so he hadn't even noticed.

She wheeled the suitcase to the front door and reached for the handle.

The door swung open.

Two men in black suits stood outside, their expressions completely blank. One was tall, the other short, blocking the way like a pair of gargoyles.

Willa froze in her tracks.

"Ms. Vance," the taller man said respectfully. "Are you heading out?"

She couldn't process what to say.

The man added, "Mr. Yates instructed us to ensure your safety."

After sitting idly on the couch for two hours, she walked back to the door, clinging to a sliver of hope.

The two men were still standing exactly where she had left them. "Ms. Vance?"

Willa offered them a harmless smile. "I just want to get some fresh air. A quick walk downstairs."

"Well..."

"You can tag along. Didn't you say you were here to protect me? Just follow me."

The two men exchanged a look and nodded. "Understood, Ms. Vance."

She couldn't take her luggage, so she just slipped her ID and phone into her pocket and headed out.

The two men tailed her, maintaining a steady, oppressive distance.

Everywhere she went, they kept her locked in their line of sight. They only stopped short of following her into the women's restroom.

She couldn't shake them.

As evening approached, the tall man quickened his pace to block her path. "Ms. Vance, it's getting dark, and it isn't safe. We've been walking with you all afternoon. It's time to head back."