Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 199

Early the next morning, Sophie slipped into the hospital room with footsteps so light she practically floated, her eyes constantly darting toward the door like a shady operative.

Willa sighed helplessly, lowering her voice to warn her, "Sophie, act natural. You're being so obvious, are you terrified they won't realize something is up?"

Sophie snapped her head around, sweeping a cautious glance into the hallway before leaning close to the bed, her voice a hushed whisper. "Well, you're the one acting all mysterious! You made it sound like a secret agent rendezvous. Spill it, what happened?"

"Sophie, I'm pregnant."

Sophie's eyes bulged. She inhaled sharply, the breath completely catching in her chest as she failed to exhale for what felt like an eternity.

Several seconds later, she snapped out of it and leaned even closer to the bed, dropping her voice to a barely audible murmur. "Whose? Is it Randal's?"

Willa nodded.

Sophie pressed, "Does he know?"

Willa shook her head. "No. And I don't plan on telling him."

Sophie's eyes widened even further, her face a portrait of utter confusion. "Why?"

Willa looked down, the light fading from her eyes. "I haven't decided if I want to keep this baby. If he's born, he'll be branded an illegitimate child for the rest of his life. I refuse to let him live under the weight of everyone's gossip."

Sophie's heart ached at that, and she let out a long, heavy sigh.

Having grown up in the elite circles of high society, she knew better than anyone the cold stares and humiliation an illegitimate child would face.

But her heart broke even more for Willa. Given her fragile health, this might very well be her only chance in this lifetime to become a mother.

Running the scenarios over in her head, Sophie couldn't help but internally curse out Randal's ancestors for the eighteenth time.

"Sophie, I asked you here because I need you to run interference for me. Go with me to the OB/GYN clinic. I want to check on the baby's condition before I make any decisions," Willa whispered, leaning in close.

A sly glint flashed through Sophie's eyes. She patted her chest confidently. "I have a plan. Give me a second."

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