Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 142

He smashed his phone onto the floor, then snatched it back up and dialed again.

His thoughts descended into chaos, all remnants of reason slipping away.

Only one thought echoed in his mind. He had to find Willa, or he was going to die.

—

When the door to the room swung open, Willa was mid-conversation with Martin.

He had just asked a question, leaning over to look at the tablet in her hands, their shoulders practically brushing.

Willa was looking down, swiping through the screen with a bright smile.

The door slammed inward, hitting the wall with a deafening crash.

She jerked her head up and saw Randal standing in the doorway, completely rigid. His eyes were bloodshot, looking every bit like a cornered predator ready to snap.

Her heart lurched. She stood up, desperate to explain. "Randal..."

But Randal was beyond listening. He lunged forward and violently flipped Martin out of his chair.

Willa rushed over to stop him, but his strength was terrifying. He shoved her aside, grabbed Martin by the collar, and hauled him off the floor.

"What were you just doing?" His voice was cold enough to freeze bone.

Martin's glasses had flown off somewhere. His unfocused eyes darted around in pure bewilderment. "I... I wasn't doing anything."

"Nothing?" Randal's lips curled into a terrifying smirk. "Then why were you leaning in so close?"

"We were just talking about work," Martin stammered, trembling.

"You need to be that close to talk about work? I think you're just a creep."

Randal's voice rose in pitch as he slowly drew his fist back.

"Randal!" Willa threw herself at him, gripping his arm tightly. "Calm down."

"You're defending him?" Randal shot her a deadly glare.

"I'm not defending him. I'm just..."

Iris walked over and stood protectively by Willa's side.

"Randal, she is not your property. You have no right to dictate her comings and goings. You're weaponizing her empathy to manipulate her. Don't you realize how shameless you are?"

She scoffed. "If you're sick, go get treated. Stop acting like a lunatic here."

Randal slowly looked up. The madness receded slightly, replaced by a flash of deep hurt in his eyes.

"What did you say?"

"I said," Iris didn't back down, "you know she can't stand seeing you in pain, so you use your illness to chain her to you. What kind of love is that?"

Randal's grip on Martin slowly loosened.

Martin stumbled backward and was quickly pulled aside by the others.

"What do you know?" Randal snarled, defensive and furious, glaring at Iris with unchecked hostility.

Willa had no doubt that if Iris said one more word, Randal would completely lose his mind again.