Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 59

Willa sat alone in the visitation room, waiting for her father to be brought out.

It didn't take long before the heavy iron door opened.

Arthur Vance's eyes lit up when he saw her. He hurried to the glass partition and picked up the receiver.

"Willa, why are you here again? You don't need to visit so often. It won't be good for you if the people around you find out."

A lump formed in Willa's throat. "Dad," she choked out.

Arthur's expression faltered slightly. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

She shook her head. "No, I just missed you."

"Look at you, you've lost weight." Arthur looked at her, his eyes filled with heartache. "Make sure you eat more. Don't work too hard."

That single sentence completely shattered her forced bravado, and tears welled up uncontrollably.

Arthur had never been a man of many words, but he had paved the way for the first twenty-two years of her life in the most modest of ways.

He had made her feel loved and taught her how to love others.

Willa fought back her tears and forced the corners of her mouth up, trying to squeeze out a smile.

She looked up at her father and asked earnestly, "Dad, were you really involved in what happened back then?"

Arthur shook his head. "Whether I was or not, I've already been in prison for five years. What's the point of bringing it up now?"

"What about Jonathan Dawson? Did he have anything to do with it?"

Arthur's face instantly filled with panic, his voice tightening. "How do you know about him? Willa, what are you investigating? I've accepted my sentence for what happened back then, as long as you stay safe."

"Listen to me and drop it." He grew more agitated the more he spoke, his voice trembling violently. "Willa, I'm not afraid of anything, except something happening to you."

"Okay, Dad, I won't look into it. Please don't get worked up," Willa quickly reassured him.

Arthur let out a breath of relief, murmuring softly, "That's good, that's good..."

It was already dark by the time she walked out of the prison.

Sean Thorne's car was parked in its usual spot. Seeing her come out, he immediately stepped forward to meet her.

"Willa, how did it go? Did your dad say anything?"

Willa got into the car and waited until the door was shut before speaking. "He told me to stop investigating, but I feel like Donnie Dawson has to be our breakthrough."

She had no idea who those people were, but she couldn't just sit by and do nothing.

But what could she possibly do right now?

The more she thought about it, the more chaotic her mind became, and a dull ache started throbbing in her temples.

She got up to take a shower. When she came out, she didn't even bother drying her hair before crawling straight into bed.

The chill seeped through the blankets. She curled up into a tight ball, shivering uncontrollably.

In her hazy state, she felt her body growing hotter and her head heavier.

She realized her fever was back and tried to prop herself up to find some medicine, but her limbs were so weak she didn't even have the strength to lift her arm.

Forget it, I'll sleep it off.

With that thought, she closed her eyes again and collapsed back against the mattress.

She could faintly hear her phone ringing, but she couldn't move an inch.

Her consciousness began to blur. In her delirium, she felt the warmth of the sun streaming through a car window, spilling over her.