Page 31 of Bound By Crimson

Chapter Thirty-One

The Chill Beneath

Lyric spent the late afternoon unpacking, trying to make the guest room feel like hers.

She draped one of her soft throws over the faded armchair, placed a framed photo of her and Kai on the windowsill, and laid out a sketchbook on the antique desk in the corner.

But despite her efforts, the room still felt foreign.

The wallpaper was peeling slightly in one corner.

The light flickered once when she turned on the lamp.

It was all clean, all proper—but there was something about the silence that made her skin hum.

When the sun dipped low and the house settled into hush, she padded barefoot down the hallway, wrapped in a silk robe. She didn’t need to knock—he was always waiting.

Kai opened the door with that familiar smile, shirt slightly unbuttoned, hair tousled like he hadn’t bothered trying to tame it.

“You’re becoming quite the rebel,” he teased, stepping aside to let her in.

She smirked. “You said your mom stays on the other side of the house.”

“She does,” he said, locking the door behind her. “And honestly, this kind of adds some excitement to our relationship. ”

She laughed as he pulled her in, guiding her to the bed. But the laughter softened quickly into something quieter— comfort. His arms wrapped around her, and they lay down together without urgency.

He didn’t try to initiate anything. He just held her. One hand resting gently on the small curve of her belly, his thumb tracing soft circles as if memorizing the shape of their future.

“I’m so happy,” he murmured. “I’m so glad we did this—everything.”

She turned her face into his chest, smiling. “Me too.”

“I feel like I can finally breathe again,” he whispered. “Like I can finally just focus on what matters—me and you. And this baby.”

She pressed closer to him, soaking in every word.

“I want us to get married,” he said after a beat. “Before the baby comes. Here. In the garden, maybe.”

Her heart thudded, full and warm.

“You mean it?”

“I do,” he said, brushing his lips across her forehead. “I want our child to come into a real family. I want to give you my name. I want it all with you.”

She didn’t answer right away. Just nodded, burying herself into his warmth.

They drifted there, bodies curved together, quiet. And even though her eyes were heavy, her mind buzzed.

Was this it? Was this what happiness looked like—hushed and sacred, tucked away in a place the world couldn’t touch?

She was just about to fall asleep when she heard it.

The soft click of the doorknob.

It turned, slowly. Once.

Then stopped.

Her eyes snapped open.

Kai was already asleep, his breathing deep and steady beside her.

She stared at the door, heart thudding in her chest.

They had locked it. She had watched him do it.

For a long, breathless moment, nothing happened.

No knock.

No voice.

Just silence.

Maybe the house settled.

Maybe she imagined it.

Maybe the old mechanics shifted in their sleep like everything else.

Still… she didn’t move. She just stared at the door, until her eyes burned and her chest ached.

Eventually, she let herself believe it was nothing.

She turned into Kai’s chest, clinging a little tighter.

Sleep never came.

---

Lyric woke early, though she hadn’t really slept.

She waited until Kai’s breathing shifted into the slow rhythm of deep sleep before slipping out of bed.

The hallway was still dark, but morning would come soon—and with it, the staff.

She knew now: the maids didn’t knock. They simply came.

It was the rule.

No sleeping in.

She padded barefoot back down the long corridor, heart racing like a teenager sneaking home past curfew.

Her door creaked softly as she pushed it open, and she exhaled only once she was inside.

Safe.

Alone.

She washed her face, fixed her hair, and changed quickly—just in time.

The maids entered moments later with cheery voices and fresh linens, none the wiser.

Later that morning, Kai met her in the hall, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Put your swimsuit on,” he whispered. “There’s one part of the house I haven’t shown you yet.”

Her curiosity lit up instantly.

She changed quickly, tugging on a soft robe over her suit.

He led her through a winding corridor she hadn’t seen before, down a narrow staircase, and through a set of tall glass doors.

The air inside was warm and dewy.

It was a pool room—but not just any pool.

The space was encased in glass like a conservatory.

Lush plants hung from the rafters.

Ivy climbed the corners.

Sunlight poured through the ceiling and painted golden streaks across the blue water.

She gasped.

“It’s beautiful.”

“I used to come here when I was a kid, me and…” he stopped. Then added “It always felt like my own secret world.”

Me and who? Lyric wondered. But her thoughts were quickly interrupted.

He pulled her toward the water, stripping off his shirt and diving in with a splash.

She laughed and joined him, wading in, letting the warmth soak into her bones.

They played like children, splashing, teasing, chasing each other through the shallows.

For a moment, all the tension melted away.

He caught her by the waist, lifting her gently.

Her laughter echoed against the glass.

That’s when she saw her.

Through the fogged pane, near the far door—

Mrs. Thornwick stood perfectly still, watching.

Her expression unreadable.

Cold.

Disapproving.

Lyric froze.

Her arms loosened around Kai’s neck.

“What is it?” he asked, breathless.

She glanced back—but the window was empty.

“Nothing,” she said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just got a chill.”

He wrapped her tighter. “I’ll warm you up. ”

But something in her had already cooled.

---

That evening, they dined in the formal dining room.

Long polished table, more forks than Lyric knew what to do with, and a chandelier that looked like it belonged in a museum.

Mrs. Thornwick sat at the head of the table, elegant in a dark green silk dress.

She made pleasant conversation—about the weather, the roses, the chef’s new marinade.

Until Kai, beaming, said,

“We’ve been talking about getting married. Before the baby comes. I thought the garden would be perfect.”

Lyric smiled, warmth blooming in her chest.

Mrs. Thornwick tilted her head, smile tight.

“Oh, that’s a lovely idea. I imagine something simple would suit you best, yes?”

Her eyes flicked to Lyric.

“After all, that’s what you’re used to.”

The warmth drained from Lyric’s chest.

She stared down at her plate.

“And is there a ring?” Mrs. Thornwick asked sweetly.

“I’d love to see it.”

There was a pause.

Kai shifted slightly.

“We… haven’t picked one yet.”

Mrs. Thornwick’s smile didn’t falter.

“Ah. Well. There’s still time.”

Lyric swallowed hard, suddenly hyper-aware of her bare left hand.

Why wasn’t there a ring?

Kai reached beneath the table, squeezed her knee gently, like a silent reassurance.

But her thoughts kept circling.

She wanted to be excited .

Instead, she felt like she’d been offered a future wrapped in lace—

Only to find the edges fraying in her hands.

---

That night, after the table had been cleared and the manor dipped into its nightly silence, Lyric slipped into Kai’s room as she always did. The hallway felt colder than usual. The shadows stretched a little longer. Still, when she opened his door, his soft smile greeted her like always.

They climbed into bed together, limbs folding naturally. He kissed her shoulder, resting a hand gently against her belly.

“Five months already,” she said, her voice low in the dark. “How much longer should we wait… if we’re going to be married?”

Kai didn’t tense, but he went still. Then he pulled her hand up and pressed his lips against her ring finger.

“First, we need to get you a ring,” he whispered. “The right one. The perfect one. I’ll find it for you. Don’t worry.”

His thumb brushed soft circles over the bare skin, and her eyes fluttered shut. That was all it took to anchor her again.

“Maybe we should just elope,” she said softly. “I mean… I don’t really have anyone. No family to invite. It would be easier.”

Kai smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“A Thornwick doesn’t wed in secret, Lyric. We don’t hide family. We build legacy.”

She fell silent. Somehow, that made her feel even smaller.

---

The next morning, she prepared to slip back to her room. Before she left, Kai kissed her temple and said,

“I must go into town today. Just for a few hours.”

She blinked, trying to hide the small jolt of excitement rising in her chest.

Maybe he’s going to get the ring, she thought.

Maybe today’s the day.

She kissed him gently.

“All right. Have fun.”

And with that, he was gone.