Page 264 of Bound By Crimson

He threw his arms around her neck, and she held him close, breathing in the salty air, the ocean breeze, and the scent of sunscreen and sunshine on his skin.

Behind them, the house stood tall and quiet. The oceanfront estate Grayson had promised.

A safe place.

He was inside, making dinner. He never pushed, never pried. Just stayed steady—

present.

He loved Noah like his own.

And he never once asked her to be anything more than what she was.

She looked out at the water, the sun melting into the waves.

This life wasn’t perfect.

But it was hers.

No one was chasing her now.

No one was watching her through locked doors.

Just Noah’s laughter.

Just the sea.

Just peace.

She kissed his cheek and whispered.

“We made it.”

And this, to her, was everything.