Page 45 of Bound By Crimson

Chapter Forty-Five

Stained in Silence

He came to her room that evening.

Calm.

Collected.

Like everything was already decided.

Lyric was sitting by the window when he knocked softly, then let himself in.

“I have to go back to the city tomorrow,” Kai said, brushing imaginary lint from his cuff. “Just for a few days. Maybe more.”

She turned, hopeful. “Take me with you.”

He frowned. “That’s not what I meant.”

Her stomach dropped. Again.

He took a few steps into the room. “I just… I need to know I can trust you. That you’ll be kind to my mother while I’m gone.”

“Kai—”

“My mother’s trying,” he cut in. “She’s willing to forgive what happened if you’re willing to try. But you need to meet her halfway.”

Lyric rose slowly to her feet. Her voice was soft, pleading.

“I’ve tried. I’ve really tried. But I want to go. I don’t want to stay here. This place—it’s not what I imagined. Let’s go back to New York. Please. ”

Kai’s face hardened.

“We’re not going anywhere. This is our life now. We’re starting our family here. And that’s that.”

She stared at him, disbelieving.

“And the lipstick? On your neck—when you walked through that door. That wasn’t mine.”

He rolled his eyes. Sighed heavily.

“Why are you doing this? Why are you acting like this?”

“I’m not—”

“Is this because you’re pregnant?” His voice sharpened. “Is it depression? Hormones? You need to tell me if you’re struggling. I’m trying to understand you, Lyric, but you’re making it really hard.”

Her heart pounded against her ribs.

“No. I’m not depressed. I’m—”

But the words broke apart in her mouth.

Alone. Cornered.

Trapped.

As he spoke, her thoughts scattered.

She already knew it—but the truth hit harder now.

She had nothing in her name. Not the boutique. Not the money. Not even a phone plan.

Every dollar she had made—every safety net—had been handed to Kai.

How could I have been so foolish?

Even if she wanted to leave, there was nowhere to go.

Kai stepped closer. His voice softened.

“I don’t want this to be us. I love you, Lyric. I know this has been hard. But we’ll get through it. Okay?”

She nodded before she could stop herself.

And when he opened his arms, she stepped into them.

Not because she believed him.

Not because she trusted him.

But because she was so tired of holding herself up alone.

Because it hurt too much to keep standing without anyone to lean on.

Because for one desperate second, even lies felt softer than silence .

He kissed her temple. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

She nodded again, even though her heart was screaming.

And when he left the room, closing the door behind him—

The silence rushed back in.

Only now, it wasn’t quiet.

It was roaring.