Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 222

But she desperately needed to know if Sophie was safe.

She hit call. It rang only once before it was swiftly hung up.

Helplessness and fear crashed over her once more. Gripping the phone, she stood frozen in place, a deep, bone-chilling cold washing over her.

Before long, the dizzy spells grew more intense, and the severe cramping in her abdomen worsened.

Unable to focus on anything else, she gritted her teeth and curled herself up tightly under the blankets.

The fetal position brought a fraction of relief, but every joint in her body began screaming in agonizing pain, and her throat burned like fire.

Only then did she belatedly realize she was running a high fever.

In her feverish delirium, the mattress beside her suddenly dipped, and a familiar, dangerous aura instantly enveloped her.

She forced her heavy eyelids open, her vision entirely blurred, catching only the silhouette of a tall, dark figure leaning closer.

Randal had returned.

The sheer terror sobered Willa up slightly. Like a cornered prey, she violently shrank to the far side of the bed, pressing her back flush against the freezing headboard. Her hands instinctively guarded her lower abdomen, her body shivering uncontrollably.

"Don't... don't come any closer..." she forced out hoarsely, her voice so weak it was barely a whisper, her eyes brimming with fright and resistance.

Her face was flushed from the fever, her bangs plastered to her pale skin with cold sweat, as she curled into a tiny, fragile ball.

"You have a fever." Randal reached out, hesitantly trying to touch her forehead.

"My baby... my baby... don't hurt him... Randal, I hate you... I hate you..."

Those last few words were as soft as a murmur, yet each one pierced straight into Randal's heart.

The hands gripping her shoulders gave an involuntary shudder.

"Okay, okay, we won't go. We won't go to the hospital..." he blurted out.

Following that, he loosely wrapped his arms around her trembling frame, his voice tender and coaxing. "Don't get worked up, Willa. Let's just get your fever down first, okay?"

He raised a hand, using his thumb to gently wipe away the tears and sweat dampening her face.

Willa seemed disarmed by his sudden gentleness. Her thrashing weakened, though her gaze remained unfocused, her lips unconsciously murmuring, "Don't steal my baby... Sophie... Sophie, save me..."