Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 73

The second Zack stepped through the front door, the suffocating tension in the house hit him.

Donovan York looked up, his eyes blazing. "Get in here! Stand right there!"

Zack jumped, his knees nearly giving out beneath him.

Marianne York quickly stepped in to defuse the situation. "Let's just talk this out. He's an adult now, you can't treat him like a disobedient child anymore."

Donovan's chest heaved with fury, staring at his son in utter disappointment.

"Look at the mess he's made! You've completely spoiled him."

Marianne gently pulled her husband toward the sofa, keeping her tone calm, though the heavy concern in her eyes was unmistakable.

"Tell me the truth. What is your relationship with Willa?"

Zack put on a brave face, feigning innocence. "Mom, you already know. She's my girlfriend. I brought her here, remember?"

Donovan slammed his hand down on the coffee table so hard the porcelain teacups rattled.

"Girlfriend? You're still lying to my face!"

Knowing he was cornered, Zack finally cracked. "Fine! She's not my girlfriend yet, but I have feelings for her. I want to be with her."

"Absolutely not!" Donovan roared.

"Why not?" Zack shot back, his temper flaring.

"Because she's Randal's ex-girlfriend! You need to kill this ridiculous fantasy right now."

"Did Randal tell you that?" Zack sprang to his feet, indignant. "Why should I? I didn't steal her. What crime is it to like someone?"

Donovan's face turned a dangerous shade of purple, his fingers trembling with rage.

"Look at the way you're acting! Is this how I raised you to speak to your parents? Where are your manners?"

He sank back onto the couch, taking a slow sip of tea to steady his breathing before continuing. "The entire social circle is in an uproar. Are you determined to let the whole world know you're fighting your own cousin over a woman?"

"She doesn't belong to him! I didn't take her from anyone!" Zack yelled, his eyes red-rimmed.

"Then why did you and Randal get into a physical altercation?"

Looking out for him?

Did either of them even care what he actually wanted?

—

When Randal stepped out of the club, Scarlett was waiting for him in the lobby. She had clearly been there a while.

She stepped into his path, lifting her chin to maintain her regal posture.

"Are you avoiding me?"

"Don't flatter yourself," he replied, walking right past her without a second glance.

"Don't you have anything to explain to me?" she demanded, her pride wounded.

"Do I owe you an explanation?" Randal finally stopped and looked back at her, his eyes devoid of anything but cold indifference.

Scarlett flinched at the icy glare, her voice softening. "Randal, I'm your fiancée. We grew up together. You shouldn't be keeping things from me."