Page 9 of Bound By Crimson

Chapter Nine

Ghosts and Goodbyes

The days after the dinner blurred together.

Kai had texted once he landed, just as he’d promised. Then again, the next day. Short, careful messages. Nothing overwhelming. Just enough to keep her thinking about him.

And she did. Constantly.

But life went on. She worked her shifts. Sketching between customers. She loved sketching gowns, jackets, entire outfits—always dreaming about what they could become.

Late one afternoon, the bells above the Velvet Cauldron’s door chimed.

Lyric looked up from the counter—and froze.

Rowan.

Her former best friend hesitated just inside the shop, fingers tightening around the strap of her purse. She looked smaller than Lyric remembered—shoulders hunched, eyes wide with uncertainty.

“I—” Rowan’s voice caught. She swallowed. “I won’t stay long. I just wanted to say something.”

Velora, seated at the reading nook with her ledger, glanced up but wisely stayed quiet .

Lyric’s pulse quickened. She couldn’t seem to find her voice, so she just nodded once.

Rowan stepped closer but kept her distance.

“I broke up with Eric,” she said, words tumbling out fast. “After the dance. After what he did. I should’ve done it ages ago. You were right about him.”

Lyric stayed silent.

“I know you probably don’t care. You don’t owe me anything. But I wanted you to hear it from me.” Rowan exhaled shakily. “And I’m leaving town. I applied to a cosmetology program in New York. I got accepted. I’m moving in July to get everything set up before classes start.”

Lyric blinked. “New York?”

“I need a fresh start. I want to stop being the person who hurts people. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I just…” Her breath hitched. “I miss my friend.”

Only then did Lyric notice the faint tear tracks on Rowan’s cheeks.

Rowan hesitated. “If you ever want to catch up before I go… maybe for coffee?”

Her voice was soft. Hopeful. “But if not, I understand.”

Lyric’s throat tightened. She managed a small nod. “Maybe.”

She wasn’t sure if she meant it. But she meant to think about it.

Rowan smiled faintly. “That’s all I needed.”

Before Lyric could say anything more, Rowan turned and walked out, the bells chiming softly behind her.

The door fell closed behind Rowan. For a moment there was silence.

Velora set down her ledger and stood, brushing invisible dust from her skirt.

“That was brave of her.”

Lyric frowned. “Brave? She destroyed our friendship. ”

Velora nodded slowly, moving toward her.

“Yes. She did. And you have every right to be angry. Betrayal cuts deep—especially when it’s someone you trusted.

” She paused. “But I don’t know if you realize how much Rowan’s been carrying.

I’ve known that girl since you were both in pigtails.

Her parents nearly split last year. There were rumors of worse things… things that weighed heavy on her.”

Lyric looked down at the countertop, lips pressed tight. “That doesn’t excuse what she did.”

“No. But it might explain why.” Velora’s gaze softened. “When people feel alone, they cling to whoever offers them comfort. Even if that person is poison.”

Lyric shook her head. “I still feel like I don’t owe her anything.”

“You don’t.” Velora touched her hand.

“But I want you to think about something.” Velora said gently. “Men like Eric… they pit women against each other. They thrive on it.”

She moved behind the counter placing her hand on the edge.

“He probably fed Rowan lies. Made her feel chosen. Special. Maybe even made her believe you were the problem.”

Lyric’s throat tightened, but she didn’t speak.

“It’s always the woman who gets blamed,” Velora said softly. “When a man cheats, people rush to forgive him—and crucify her.”

She paused watching Lyric carefully.

“But what they don’t see is how often that woman was groomed. Manipulated. Told she was the only one. That his girlfriend was cruel. Or crazy. Or distant.”

Her eyes sharpened. “It’s an old game, child—and men have been playing it for centuries.”

Then, with quiet certainty.

“Eric is the one who should carry the shame. Not Rowan. Not you.”

Lyric’s eyes stung. “But she still let it happen.”

“She did. And she’s living with that guilt now.” Velora’s gaze turned knowing. “You and Rowan were like sisters once. Don’t let him take that from you too. Don’t let his actions break the bond between two women who should have stood together.”

Lyric interrupted, “Rowan let him take that from us…not me…”

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Lyric stared at the door where Rowan had disappeared.

“I’ll think about it,” she whispered.

---

That evening, after locking up the shop, Lyric made her usual walk to the cemetery.

The air was cool, scented faintly with lilac from the overgrown bushes along the path. She knelt by the headstone marked Dawson, brushing away a few stray leaves.

“I’m okay,” she whispered. “I’m doing okay.”

She didn’t stay long. Just enough to feel connected. To keep the promise she’d made to herself—to never let too much time pass without visiting.

When she returned home, the windows reflected only darkness. The street outside was quiet.

Lyric sat at the small table by the front window, sketchbook open but untouched. She’d tried to draw. Tried to distract herself. But Rowan’s visit lingered in her mind like a shadow she couldn’t quite shake.

I miss my friend.

Don’t let him take that from you too .

Her phone buzzed softly beside her.

Kai .

I can’t stop thinking about you.

How was your day?

Her breath caught. She stared at the screen for a second too long before typing back: It was fine. Busy.

His reply came immediately. Tell me everything.

Before she could respond, her phone rang.

She answered quickly. “Hi.”

“I needed to hear your voice,” Kai said softly .

Lyric smiled, nerves fluttering in her stomach. “I was just about to tell you about my day.”

“Please. I want to know everything.”

She told him about the shop. About a woman who’d come in asking for silver charms shaped like wolves. About Velora’s latest shipment from France. She left out Rowan’s visit. She wasn’t ready to explain that.

Kai listened without interrupting, only offering the occasional soft mm or tell me more. No one had ever listened like that. Not even Rowan.

When she finished, there was a pause. Then his tone darkened.

“I don’t like being this far away from you.”

Her pulse quickened. “Neither do I.”

“It’s too far. Too long.” His voice dropped lower. “I keep thinking about someone else looking at you. Talking to you. Even breathing near you.” There was steel beneath the words. “It makes me want to come back right now and remind everyone who you belong to.”

Lyric felt her cheeks flush. “Kai…”

His breath softened. “I can’t help myself when it comes to you.”

A nervous laugh escaped her. “I don’t really understand how this all happened.”

“What do you mean?” His voice gentled.

“You… choosing me. Wanting me. I’m not exactly—” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “I’m not like the other women in your world.”

“I’ve already told you, Lyric.” His tone was soft but certain. “None of them matter. Only you.” His voice deepened. “The other women want what I have. My name. My power. My money. You are different.”

Lyric swallowed hard, her heart pounding.

“I’ve built a life most people envy,” Kai continued. “The penthouse. The properties. The wealth. But it means nothing. I want a family, Lyric. A marriage. A real future. And when I look at you, I see the woman who could give me that. ”

Her breath trembled. “I’ve always wanted those things. I just… never thought I’d find someone who did too.”

“You have,” Kai said firmly. “And I’m not letting you go.”

The possessiveness in his voice didn’t frighten her. It wrapped around her like a promise. Like protection.

They spoke until the street outside grew even darker, until her eyes grew heavy.

By the time they hung up, the weight of Rowan’s visit had faded.

She set her phone aside, closing her sketchbook.

I’m not going to live in the past anymore.

I’m moving forward.

With him.