Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 269

"Yes, we got our license in Switzerland," Willa lied without blinking.

Randal opened his mouth, desperate to make her stay. "Willa..."

"Da... da..."

Nugget suddenly babbled, reaching his tiny, chubby hands out toward Corbin, asking to be picked up.

The soft, mumbled syllables sounded exactly like he was calling him "Dada."

Corbin smiled faintly. He handed the umbrella to Willa and effortlessly scooped the boy into his arms.

Nugget happily wrapped his arms around Corbin's neck, resting his little cheek against his shoulder with a sweet giggle.

Watching this domestic scene unfold, the "I missed you" that had been on the tip of Randal's tongue died in his throat.

"Then... I... I should get going."

He dropped the pathetic excuse and turned on his heel, fleeing the scene in defeat.

Willa watched Randal's retreating back. The hand clutching Corbin's arm tightened instinctively for a fraction of a second.

Her chest felt as though something had lightly scraped across it, leaving behind a lingering ache.

But she didn't allow herself to entertain those feelings.

That relationship had drained every ounce of her soul, and she simply couldn't handle any more turmoil.

The peace she had right now—even if built on a lie—was hard-won for both her and her son.

"Let's go," Corbin said, pulling her back to reality. He drove them straight to the old house in Sycamore Grove.

Arthur still had a few days left before his release. Sean had come over beforehand to clean the place up, even stocking the kitchen with groceries and pantry staples.

Once he heard they had returned, he showed up the very next day, his arms loaded with bags.

The moment he walked through the door, he scooped Nugget up from the floor, lifting him high in the air to make him laugh.

The baby wasn't shy at all, bursting into endless fits of giggles.

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