Page 32 of Bound By Crimson

Chapter Thirty-Two

Maybe Tomorrow

They had been at the estate a few days already. Lyric realized she hadn’t even called Velora or Rowan. She grabbed her phone and started to call Velora—but there was no service.

She spent the morning wandering the gardens, letting the sun warm her face as she walked between towering hedges—all the while looking for a signal.

The blooms were lush, but their scent felt heavy—like they’d been kept alive too long.

As she wandered near the back of the estate, she looked up at one of the high windows.

Mrs. Thornwick stood there.

Watching.

Lyric smiled hesitantly and raised a hand.

The woman didn’t move. Didn’t blink.

Just stood, stone-still—unreadable.

Like a painting hung to intimidate rather than decorate.

The weight of it sank into Lyric’s spine.

She turned away, pretending it didn’t matter—but it did.

Needing to get farther away, she followed the paths until the hedges grew denser, and the house disappeared behind her.

At the farthest edge of the estate, the trees and hedges thinned —

And then she saw it.

A towering stone wall, nearly fifteen feet high, stretching endlessly in both directions like the edge of the world.

It stopped her in her tracks.

She stepped closer. There, nestled in the grass at its base, sat a weathered stone bench—half-sunken, cracked by time.

It looked almost forgotten. But somehow, it felt familiar.

It reminded her of the old graveyard bench she used to sit on, talking to her parents when no one else could hear. That secret place the world couldn’t touch.

A pang of guilt crept into her heart. She had promised she would visit them every day. Now she was so far away.

Maybe this could be her new place to visit them, she thought.

She sat down slowly, brushing a hand over the weathered stone. The wall behind it loomed tall and solid—a towering expanse of gray that cut off the horizon.

She couldn’t see over it.

She wondered what was on the other side.

Maybe—somewhere—there was a hidden door, like in The Secret Garden , the book she had loved as a little girl.

A secret place, just beyond reach.

She leaned her back against the cool stone, tilting her head up toward the sky.

For a moment, there was only the breeze in the hedges… the heavy perfume of roses…

And then—faintly—

Laughter.

Children’s laughter, so soft it could’ve been the wind.

She closed her eyes, listening harder, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

Maybe it had never been there at all.

Still, she smiled a little to herself and let her head rest back against the wall.

If there’s a door, maybe someday I’ll find it, she thought.

Her thoughts were broken up by the buzzing of her phone.

Two missed calls from Velora… six from Rowan.

She smiled and quickly called Velora .

It rang twice before she answered, her voice warm and steady.

“Hello, Little Star.”

Lyric grinned. “Hi. I just wanted to check in and let you know everything’s okay. It’s… beautiful here, Velora. You should see this place. You would absolutely love it.”

“I’m so glad to hear that,” Velora said gently. “Are you settling in all right?”

“I am,” Lyric said, keeping her voice upbeat. “It’s big, and a little overwhelming, but it’s really something. Like, it has this old charm, but it’s also elegant. I don’t know—it’s hard to describe.”

“You sound good,” Velora said. “I’m happy for you.”

Lyric smiled. “The couple who bought my place, did they settle in okay?”

“Oh yes. They have the sweetest little girl—reminds me a lot of you at that age. They’re such a lovely family.”

Lyric’s heart pulled for a second, but she pushed it down.

“I’m going to call Rowan now,” she said. “I don’t have great signal out here, so I want to catch her while I still can.”

“I’m so glad you two are talking again,” Velora said. “All right, love you. Keep in touch.”

“Love you too.”

The call ended. Lyric didn’t hesitate—she dialed Rowan right after.

Rowan picked up instantly.

“Oh my god,” she blurted. “I haven’t heard from you in days. How is it you didn’t tell me anything?”

Lyric laughed softly. “I’m sorry. The signal here is terrible. I had to walk to the back of the property to make this call.”

“So? What’s it like? Probably a dream come true!”

“It’s… a lot… it’s extravagant.” Lyric said. “Everything’s antique and grand. Chandeliers. Velvet. Secret hallways. All of it.”

“But?” Rowan asked, not missing a beat.

Lyric paused. “But nothing. I just—I don’t know. It’s fine. Everything’s fine.”

“Lyric. ”

She sighed. “His mom. She just… I don’t know. She seems off. Not rude, not even mean. Just cold. Like she hasn’t decided yet if I belong here.”

Rowan didn’t even hesitate. “Once she gets to know you, she’ll absolutely love you.”

“I hope so,” Lyric said quietly. “She has rules… Kai and I aren’t allowed to sleep in the same room until we’re married…”

“What??—but you’re having his baby!” Rowan blurted, then quickly changed tone so she didn’t upset Lyric. “Well, I’m sure your prince charming will change that very soon and you will become Mrs. Thorn in no time!”

Lyric wanted to tell her.

She wanted to spill everything. That Thorn isn’t his real last name. Kai isn’t even his real first name. Malachai Thornwick .

But she didn’t. She was still processing it all herself.

Instead, Lyric agreed. “He left for town today. I think he might be buying me a ring.”

Rowan squealed. “I’m so happy for you, Lyr! Tell me everything when it happens!”

They talked a few more moments, then said their goodbyes.

Lyric stayed out there for a minute longer, letting the quiet wrap around her.

Then she turned to head back toward the house, slowly making her way around the side of the hedge maze.

As the branches thinned and the upper windows came into view, she glanced up, checking if Mrs. Thornwick was still watching her. Thankfully, she wasn’t.

She walked the rest of the way back with her head down, pretending the chill she felt had nothing to do with the window at all.

---

Dinner that evening was silent at first.

The long table felt colder with only two plates.

Kai still hadn’t returned.

Mrs. Thornwick poured herself wine with a sharp clink and gestured for Lyric to sit .

Her posture was perfect.

Her eyes, calculating.

“Did you enjoy your little stroll today, dear?” she asked, the smile never reaching her voice.

“Yes, thank you. I walked the garden a bit. It’s beautiful.”

“It is,” she agreed. “But beauty requires upkeep. Things left untended tend to rot.”

Lyric hesitated, choosing her words carefully.

“I’d be happy to help with anything you need,” she said, trying to sound warm, not defensive.

“Mmm.” The woman tilted her head.

“It’s important, you see, that everyone contributes. A house like this doesn’t run on sentiment.”

Lyric shifted slightly in her seat.

“I understand,” she said simply.

Mrs. Thornwick’s smile tightened.

“Oh, not contribute. Just… justify. We all have to justify our presence. This isn’t a sanctuary for the lost—or a place to take in strays.”

The words struck like cold water.

Before Lyric could respond, the door opened.

Kai stepped in, looking calm and collected.

“Darling,” Mrs. Thornwick said with perfect coolness.

“You’re late. Please, sit.”

The tension cracked in half.

Kai sat beside Lyric and brushed her knee under the table, a quiet reassurance.

But she couldn’t stop replaying what had just been said.

---

Later that night, after they lay curled in bed again, Lyric stared at the ceiling.

There was no ring on her hand.

There had been no surprise. Not even a mention of it.

She ran her fingers over the empty space on her left hand.

Maybe tomorrow, she told herself.

Maybe tomorrow, his promises wouldn’t be just words.