Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 44

Unable to endure another second in his presence, she forcefully wrenched herself free and bolted.

Randal stood rooted to the spot, his gaze turning hollow.

He had deliberately set out to hurt her, but watching her break down didn't bring him the satisfaction he had anticipated. It only left him with an agonizing sense of emptiness.

He slowly clenched his fists, murmuring her name in a hoarse voice. "Willa..."

The ride-share soon pulled up to the curb.

Willa frantically yanked open the back door. She had only gotten half her body inside when a large hand gripped the edge of the door frame.

"Randal, let go!" she hissed, furious and panicked.

But he was entirely unfazed. "Scoot over. I'm coming with you."

"I called this car. If you want a ride, order your own." She pulled desperately at the door, refusing to let him in.

Seeing the commotion, the driver turned around to play peacemaker. "Miss, don't stay mad at your boyfriend. We can't park here for long, or I'll get a ticket."

"He's not—"

Before Willa could explain, Randal took advantage of the distraction and squeezed inside.

Afraid of drawing stares from pedestrians, she gritted her teeth, shrank into the far corner, and stopped arguing.

A suffocating silence filled the car, the tension thick and unyielding.

The driver checked the rearview mirror a few times and offered a good-natured chuckle. "You young folks have such hot tempers. Bickering is normal. The guy should be a bit more yielding, and the girl shouldn't take things too seriously. Just talk it out."

Willa's face burned. She wanted to clarify their relationship, but fearing it would only turn into a messier scene in front of a stranger, she opted to stay silent.

Randal's expression remained detached, but a sly smile curled his lips. "Push as hard as you want. I should have lost this leg in that accident five years ago anyway."

Such a casual remark ruthlessly pierced through Willa's defenses.

Her heart clenched violently, all her anger immediately dissolving into an overwhelming, helpless ache.

She had no idea how that accident had happened. All she remembered was rushing back to the country after getting the news, only to find him lying in a hospital bed, wrapped in bandages and completely unconscious.

The doctors had said it was a coin toss whether he would even get to keep the leg.

In that brief moment of distraction, Randal seized the opportunity. Pressing his shoulder against the door, he forcefully shoved his way inside.

Willa stumbled backward. When she looked up at him, her voice was heavy with exhaustion. "Randal, what exactly do you want from me?"

Randal leaned lazily against the doorframe, crossing his arms and throwing a mocking glance around the rundown room. "What's the matter? Zack is allowed in, but I'm not?"