Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 169

After Willa said that, the living room fell so silent that only the sound of their breathing remained.

She leaned against the sofa, her eyes downcast, refusing to look at him.

Even after saying those words, she didn't feel a sense of relief.

Nothing had changed. She was still carefully guarding her pride, living on edge by his side every single day.

"Willa," Randal called out softly, sounding like he was carefully testing the waters.

Willa didn't respond, simply closing her eyes completely.

She heard his footsteps slowly moving toward her, step by step.

A moment later, a slightly cool hand gently covered the back of hers.

Her fingers curled slightly as she tried to pull away, but he quickly grabbed hold of her hand.

"Willa, let's just say everything in the past was my fault. Can we just live out our lives happily together now?"

Willa finally opened her eyes.

He was crouching in front of her, his eyes red. He looked up at her like a giant dog that had just done something wrong, pitifully trying to please its owner and beg for forgiveness.

Willa's heart instantly softened, but she forced herself to sound tough. "Randal, is it fun playing the victim like this?"

"I'm not pretending." He gripped her hand tighter, his voice slightly muffled. "I'm genuinely terrified that you'll get mad and abandon me."

He sounded so incredibly wronged that the anger in her heart suddenly dissipated.

"Randal, if you ever lie to me again, I really will ignore you forever."

A flash of panic crossed Randal's eyes, quickly followed by a bright spark. He smiled and nodded frantically.

Looking at him, the defenses Willa had desperately tried to hold up completely collapsed.

She reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him in.

He froze for a second before lunging forward, pinning her against the sofa.

"Willa..." his voice trembled.

"Don't talk." She closed her eyes and kissed him.

He was stunned for a moment before slipping a hand behind her head, deepening the kiss.

His kiss was as domineering as ever, but this time, it carried a touch of careful restraint, as if he was terrified of hurting her.

That electrifying sensation instantly surged through her veins.

"Randal!" Willa glared at him. "Keep this up and you can forget about it."

Randal froze immediately, looking at her with an indignant expression, his eyes filled with desire. "Willa... earlier you said..."

Willa deliberately looked away, refusing to meet his gaze. "Did I say something?"

"Then what do I..." He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing again as he glanced down. "What am I supposed to do about this?"

"Deal with it yourself."

His eyes darkened for a moment. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and let out a muffled "Mm."

His body was strung tight, as if he were desperately trying to endure something.

She suddenly felt a wave of sympathy.

"Randal," she called out to him softly.

"Yeah?" His voice was muffled against her neck, trailing off with a hint of grievance.