Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 139

Seeing the bloodshot redness in his eyes, Willa felt a sudden wave of panic.

Randal's psychological state was far more fragile than she had imagined; it seemed like he was already stretched to his absolute breaking point.

A single careless remark could snap his sanity entirely.

She hurriedly explained, "No, I'm not running, I promise."

Randal stared at her for a long time, trying to determine if she was telling the truth.

After what felt like an eternity, his expression finally softened. "Come out with me tomorrow."

"Where to?"

"A social gathering. I can't get out of it."

Willa had no desire to get dragged into his social circle, and remembering the humiliation from the last gathering, she instinctively tried to refuse. "I don't want to go."

"You have to come with me. I won't feel at ease otherwise," Randal said firmly.

She sighed, explaining helplessly, "Randal, be reasonable. I barely even stepped outside for the past two days, and when I do, I've got your bodyguards shadowing me. What is there to worry about?"

Randal's brow furrowed, his fists clenching at his sides as if he were trying to suppress something terrible.

"You draw too much attention. If you're out of my sight, my mind starts racing. The second I think about other men secretly coveting you, I can't control my emotions. I..."

"Stop." Willa quickly cut him off, smoothing her hand down his back to soothe him. "Randal, take a breath. I'll go with you."

The following evening, she accompanied Randal to a private club.

The moment their car pulled up to the entrance, an attendant rushed over to open the doors.

Willa stepped out behind him, immediately met with a barrage of whispers from all directions.

"Mr. Yates is here."

"Who's that with him?"

"No idea, never seen her before."

...

She couldn't hear everything they were saying, but she could feel the invasive, gossipy stares burning into her.

Randal threw an arm around her shoulder and led her inside, greeting acquaintances along the way.

He kept a firm hold on her shoulder, giving curt replies to the people he passed, making no effort to introduce her to anyone.

Willa flashed him a reassuring smile.

She picked up a beverage from the table and took a slow sip.

Just then, she caught the sound of hushed voices drifting from behind her.

"Is that the woman Mr. Yates brought with him?"

"Yeah. I heard she used to be Zack's girlfriend, but somehow she ended up warming Mr. Yates's bed instead."

"Tsk, she's quite the social climber. Used Zack as a stepping stone to latch onto a much bigger fish."

"She's pretty enough, sure. But women like her are just playthings. You really think he's serious about her?"

"I heard she actually moved into his place."

"So what? He's still going to marry the Sterling heiress. Just wait and see, she'll be tossed out on the street in no time."

"Not necessarily. Did you guys hear about the massive scene at the engagement party? Mr. Yates completely burned bridges with Zack over this woman."

"What kind of tricks does she have to keep two men wrapped around her little finger?"