Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 45

Willa knew that he wasn't going to let this go until he got his way. Letting out a resigned sigh, she turned and opened the door wider.

Randal strolled in, his eyes sweeping across the living room before he even pushed open the bathroom door for a quick look, as if he were hunting for something.

Willa watched him numbly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Seen enough? There's absolutely nothing of Zack's in here. Are you satisfied?"

Randal stopped in front of her, flashing a wicked smile. He ran his tongue over his lip, his tone laced with lazy arrogance. "But what am I supposed to do? I just can't stand seeing you with him, looking so damn happy."

"Break up with him immediately." His eyes darkened into a terrifying, icy glare. "Otherwise, I can't guarantee what I might do."

Willa stared at him in utter disbelief. "Randal, he is your cousin!"

Randal shrugged indifferently, his smile turning even more reckless and malicious. "You already know I'm a lunatic. Even I don't know what a lunatic is capable of."

A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her. She collapsed onto the sofa, her voice completely hoarse. "You already have a fiancée. Why won't you just leave me alone?"

"I never had any intention of leaving you alone." Randal leaned down, looming over her with an intimidating presence.

Before she could even react, a soft pressure brushed against her lips.

The kiss caught her completely off guard, ending almost as soon as it began.

She froze, completely forgetting to push him away.

Randal straightened up, looking immensely satisfied. "That's what you owed me from the other day."

"Willa," he called her name suddenly, his smile fading into a chilling, bizarre obsession. "I'm giving you one week. Cut ties with Zack. Completely."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked out. The suffocating hostility dissipated entirely, and he even considerately clicked the door shut behind him.

Willa remained frozen on the couch, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs as his words echoed through her mind.

"Ms. Sherman only provides a recommendation. HR has the final say," the woman cut her off, her tone stiff. "We evaluated all factors and felt the other candidate was a better fit. That's all. I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye."

The line went dead.

Willa gripped her phone, her fingers turning icy.

The more she thought about it, the more something felt wrong. She rummaged through her things, found the business card Ms. Sherman had given her, and dialed the number on it.

After a few rings, a gentle voice answered. "Hello, who is this?"

"Ms. Sherman, hello. I apologize for bothering you," Willa said, steadying her nerves. "I just called HR to ask about the interview results, and they told me... you've already filled the position..."

"Filled the position? That... I was never notified of this." Ms. Sherman sounded just as surprised. "Let me go find out what exactly is going on."