Page 140 of Bound By Crimson

Before she turned back toward the estate, she glanced once more at the wall.

At the ivy curling like skeletal fingers across ancient stone.

She paused for a moment, realizing that this was the only place that she felt safe.

It was the first time in weeks she’d felt like she could breathe.

She turned away from the wall, carrying herself back to the house,

Not because she wanted to—

But because she had nowhere else to go.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Swallowing Surrender

Lyric didn’t sleep that night either, but she made a decision.

If she wanted to keep Kai—wanted her child to have a family—then she had to try.

Really try.

Not with honesty or resistance, but with submission. With sugar.

With everything Mrs. Thornwick wanted her to be.

So the next morning, she changed.

She dressed carefully, brushing out her hair, putting on a soft pink blouse she’d worn once before—the one Mrs. Thornwick had once complimented.

Her face was pale, but she smiled through it.

And then she knocked on the drawing room door.

“Come in,” came that cool, controlled voice.

Lyric stepped in, hands clasped in front of her.

The older woman was seated by the window, sipping her tea as if the world had always spun her way.

A small bandage crossed her cheekbone—white and precise, like a badge of her own performance.

“I just wanted to say,” Lyric began, forcing her voice to stay even, “that I’ve been thinking about everything. And… I’m sorry. I overreacted. I know you were only trying to help.”

Mrs. Thornwick turned slowly. Her smile was like polished glass.

“Well,” she said softly. “That’s very wise of you to apologize. Growth is never easy, dear. Especially when you’re emotional.”

Lyric’s stomach twisted—but she nodded.

“I also wanted to say,” she added, “the nursery is beautiful. I didn’t say that before, and I should have. Thank you for doing that.”

Mrs. Thornwick looked pleased. “You’re very welcome. I do have experience, after all.”

From that moment, Lyric leaned into the performance.

She complimented the staff on the meals.