Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 91

Willa Vance felt a sharp ringing in her ears, her grip on the phone suddenly weak.

"How could my dad get beaten up? Is it serious? Where is he?" Panic consumed her.

"He's at the prison's central hospital. They just resuscitated him, so he's out of danger for now. The guards are claiming it was a scuffle over personal items," Sean Thorne said.

"That's impossible!" Willa's voice pitched up. "My dad is the most cautious man alive. He'd never fight with anyone!"

"I know, I didn't believe it either. I asked around privately. The other guy targeted him on purpose, aiming right for his vitals."

"Willa..." Sean paused, his tone hesitant. "Do you think the people who know you're looking into the old case..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but Willa already understood.

Because of Randal Yates's presence, those people didn't dare target her directly. Instead, they went after Arthur, forcing her hand.

It was exactly like five years ago.

Back then, they used her to blackmail her father into pleading guilty.

Now, unwilling to let Arthur carry the blame for the rest of his life, she was determined to overturn the conviction.

But her stubbornness had become the very weapon used against him.

A suffocating wave of despair crashed over Willa, making every breath a struggle.

"Sean," she gasped, fighting back tears. "Can you arrange a visit? I need to see him."

"I'm already handling the paperwork. Get here as soon as you can."

The line went dead. Willa's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor.

With bloodshot eyes, she requested time off from Iris Underwood, hailed a cab, and rushed straight to the hospital.

Standing at the door to the ward, she froze.

The man on the bed had a ghastly pale complexion. His head was wrapped in thick bandages, his jaw was bruised purple, and an IV dripped into his arm. He lay motionless, eyes closed.

In just a little over a week, Arthur seemed to have aged a decade.

Willa stumbled forward. A lump formed in her throat, so painful she couldn't even manage to call out to him.

As if sensing her presence, Arthur slowly opened his eyes just as she reached the bedside.

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