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.

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