Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 177

Over the next few days, Stella didn't harass her again.

Willa just chalked it up to the impulsive whims of a young girl, figuring she'd gotten over it and moved on.

She put the ordeal out of her mind and threw herself into her cultural heritage project.

Martin Jenson had been rushing her relentlessly. The first draft had to be revised over and over, forcing her to hole up at home in front of her laptop for two solid days until she finally submitted a decent version.

Randal had been surprisingly well-behaved these past few days. He went to work on time, came home for dinner, and occasionally, when he saw her getting frustrated with her writing, would walk over and hand her a fresh coffee or a plate of sliced fruit.

He didn't disturb her. He'd just sit quietly by her side reviewing his own documents. They each took up one end of the couch, focused on their respective work.

These days were wonderfully peaceful, so comfortable that she almost forgot about the massive, unresolved issues looming between them.

One afternoon, just as she finished her tasks, she got a call from Sean.

"Willa, are you free today? Let's meet up. I have something to tell you."

Sean's tone sounded no different than usual, but Willa's heart still skipped a beat.

Aside from matters concerning Arthur Vance, Sean rarely asked to meet up.

A faint, ominous premonition twisted in her gut.

"Sure," she said, shutting her laptop. "At the coffee shop downstairs from your place?"

"That works. Let's say four o'clock. No rush."

By the time Willa arrived at the coffee shop, Sean had already been sitting in his usual booth for quite a while.

With a coffee untouched in front of him, he waved when he saw her walk in. "Willa, over here."

Willa walked over and sat down across from him, immediately noticing that his expression was somewhat grim.

"Sean, what's wrong?"

Sean didn't answer right away. He took a slow sip of his coffee. "I got an update on Jonathan Dawson."

Willa's fingers instinctively gripped the hem of her shirt, her eyes lighting up instantly. "You found him?"

Sean nodded. "Yes, but..."

He hesitated, seemingly unable to force the rest of the sentence out.

"I understand, Sean."

Sean looked at her, clearly holding something back. "Willa, I know it's not my place, but sometimes you just have to let things go. The person your father worries about most is you. Your happiness is more important than anything else."

Willa nodded silently.

She understood Sean's concerns, but the indignation refused to leave her.

They had finally gotten a lead on Jonathan Dawson, only for him to end up dead.

If only Randal had managed to track down Jonathan's location a little sooner.

Her composure finally broke, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Sean sighed. Plucking a napkin from the dispenser, he leaned across the table and wiped away her tears, comforting her exactly as he had when she was just a little girl.

"Don't cry, kid. I know it hurts. Your dad only has two years left inside. When he gets out, the two of you can live a good life together. That's better than anything else."

Willa took the napkin from Sean's hand to dry her eyes, forcing a wobbly smile. "I'm okay, Sean. I just lost control for a second."