Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 6

Tears finally slipped down, hitting the back of Randal's hand.

He reacted as if he'd been burned, his fingers twitching slightly, though he didn't pull away.

"Engaged?" His voice suddenly cracked. "What fiancée from five years ago?"

Willa was taken aback.

The shock in Randal's eyes didn't look like an act.

But what difference did it make?

There was no going back for them.

"Let go of me," she said hoarsely.

"Who told you I was engaged?"

Randal demanded relentlessly, finally releasing his grip.

Before Willa could respond, the bedroom door swung open.

Zack walked in holding a glass of milk. Seeing the two of them, he froze, his brows knitting together. "Randal? Why are you in my room?"

His gaze fell on their close proximity, and his tone darkened. "What are you... doing?"

Reacting instantly, Willa choked back her tears and shoved Randal away.

Randal acted completely unfazed. He straightened his posture naturally, the menacing aura vanishing in a split second, looking as calm as if nothing had happened.

"I forgot my pajamas. Your mother told me to grab some from your closet. I saw the door cracked open, so I just walked in. Forgot your girlfriend was here. I think I... startled her."

Zack's expression softened slightly, though suspicion lingered in his eyes.

He walked over, handed the milk to Willa, and then went to the closet to pull out a new set of pajamas for Randal. "Next time, you should knock before coming in. Willa is a girl, it's not appropriate."

He paused when he saw her.

"Up so early?" He smiled playfully, his voice laced with morning gravel. "Looks like my cousin... lacks stamina."

Willa offered a sickly sweet smile, refusing to back down. "Zack is considerate. He knows I'm tired, so he let me sleep in. As for you, you look terrible. Out pulling heists all night?"

Randal's face darkened. He took a step forward, backing her against the doorframe, and lowered his voice. "I just hate the thought of my cousin sharing a bed with a woman like you. It makes my skin crawl."

Willa's breath hitched, but she forced a composed front. "Then you'd better get used to it. Zack and I are serious. We'll even save you a seat at the head table at our wedding."

From downstairs, Mrs. York called out, "Randal, Willa, come down for breakfast!"

Using his momentary distraction, Willa slipped through the gap beside him and hurried downstairs without looking back.

Randal stood frozen in place, his eyes turning to ice as he stared at the spot on the staircase where she had vanished. "Don't even think about it, Willa," he muttered.