Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 114

Alfred opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"Alfred," he spoke again, his voice suddenly very soft. "Do you think my parents... ever loved me?"

Alfred couldn't answer.

"Never mind. I shouldn't have asked."

He turned and walked upstairs. With every step, a dull ache flared in his ribs.

When he reached the landing, he suddenly stopped. "Alfred, where's my mom?"

Alfred replied, "Eleanor should be... on the third floor."

Randal nodded, his eyes gradually calming.

Eleanor had set up a dedicated prayer room on the third floor for Jace's memorial tablet.

Ever since Jace died, Eleanor would spend the entire first and fifteenth of every lunar month inside, eating a vegetarian diet and chanting prayers.

Sometimes he wondered what exactly his mother was praying for in there.

Praying for Jace's soul to find peace?

Or praying that in her next life, she wouldn't get stuck with a pathetic son like him?

When he reached the second floor, Randal didn't return to his own bedroom.

He walked to the end of the hallway and stopped in front of a door.

It was Jace's room. The door was locked.

Eleanor had locked it, declaring that no one was allowed to touch anything inside. It had to be kept exactly as it was, as if her eldest son were merely on a business trip and could return at any moment.

Randal reached out and grasped the doorknob.

It didn't budge.

He took a step back, raised his leg, and kicked it with all his might. The impact tugged at his injuries, sending a fierce wave of pain that made his vision black out for a second.

Fortunately, the kick was brutal enough. The door blasted inward, slamming against the wall before bouncing back.

Dust swept over his face, making him frown.

Nothing had changed.

He walked inside, not entirely sure what he was looking for.

This report had clearly been locked away in the drawer by Jace before it was finished.

Staring at the draft, a deranged thought began to take root in Randal's mind.

But if that was the case, why did Scarlett—who had also been in the car at the time—insist so firmly that it was Jace's driving error that caused the car to lose control?

He badgered Alfred into lending him a phone, swearing he wouldn't get the older man in trouble.

Sneaking off to the side, he called Miles. "Miles, I need you to look into something for me."

"What is it?"

"My brother's accident six years ago. Every detail. The accident reports, surveillance footage, witness testimonies. All of it."

"Randal, hasn't that accident already..."

"Check it again," Randal cut him off. "See if anything was missed."

"Randal, what's going on?"

"I suspect," his voice was soft, as if he were muttering to himself, "my brother's death wasn't an accident."