Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 201

To avoid running into Randal, Sophie only stayed long enough to keep Willa company through lunch before hurrying out of the hospital.

Shortly after she left, Randal arrived at the room.

Willa immediately closed the distance between them, her tone softening as she complained about how unbearably boring the hospital was, pleading to be discharged.

But she didn't dare voice the panic gnawing at her insides.

Every extra day spent in the hospital meant another day on edge, terrified that Randal might piece together the fact that she was pregnant from a passing comment by the doctors or nurses.

At first, Randal insisted she stay a few more days, but he eventually caved to her soft pleading and reluctantly agreed.

While the nurse was helping pack up her things, Randal spotted the wedding invitation tucked away in the corner of the drawer.

He plucked it out and tossed it straight into the trash can.

Willa stared at him, stunned. "Randal..."

"You don't need to worry about any of this. Just stay home and rest."

She managed to force a smile, but a tight knot formed in her chest.

This time, he didn't even bother telling the lie that the wedding wouldn't happen.

She had overestimated herself, and she had certainly overestimated whatever lingering affection still existed between them.

Randal took her back to The Ridgeback Estate anyway, simply stating that the fresh air would be better for her recovery.

Willa didn't fight him; she knew it would be pointless.

She would use this time to carefully plot a foolproof escape for the tiny life growing inside her.

Fortunately, he let her keep her phone this time and mercifully refrained from locking her up.

She couldn't bear to throw away the ultrasound printout, hiding it at the very bottom of the cabinet.

Once that was done, she contacted Sean, hoping to expedite the property transfer.

Sean brushed her off, claiming he was too swamped to deal with it at the moment, and hastily ended the call.

Willa was left with no other options.

But her fierce instinct to protect the tiny life inside her instantly overpowered any fleeting spark of physical pleasure.

She began to thrash against him, shouting sharply, "Randal, let me go! I said no!"

Her struggling seemed to momentarily drag a shred of his sanity back to the surface.

Randal froze, though he didn't release his iron grip on her.

"Are you really that unwilling?" he asked, his voice turning cold and laced with obvious frustration. "Didn't we make up? Or are you thinking about someone else, and that's why you won't even let me touch you?"

Made up?

Willa couldn't help but scoff internally.

So, in Randal's eyes, whatever this twisted relationship was had somehow become their new normal.

Not only that, but he was actually doubting her and tossing around baseless suspicions.

She let out a soft, mocking laugh. "I don't want to do this, Randal. Are you planning to force yourself on me?"