Page 96 of Bound By Crimson

Chapter Ninety-Six

Over the Wall

The wall loomed ahead, bathed in moonlight. It wasn’t far, but every step had felt endless.

The air was cold and sharp in her lungs, and the stone beneath her feet felt harder than it ever had.

Noah’s tiny weight against her chest reminded her what this was for. She clutched him tighter, heart pounding harder than her steps.

Though she didn’t look back, every sound made her feel like someone was behind her. The estate still pressed on her spine like a shadow. The place where her freedom had been suffocated.

What if this is another game?

What if Editha set this up too?

What if Grayson isn’t real at all?

She didn’t dare speak.

Didn’t dare whisper his name.

She’d been waiting so long her chest ached. Her legs felt numb from standing so still. Panic pressed against her throat— What if he’s not coming? What if she’d misunderstood?

But she couldn’t go back now.

Not after this.

Footsteps .

Soft, then heavier.

Like someone was carrying something.

She held her breath.

Then she heard it.

“Lyric?”

A whisper.

A real voice.

Grayson.

She pressed her forehead against the cold stone.

“Yeah… I’m here.”

There was a pause.

Then he asked, “Are you ready? Do you still want this? I didn’t hear from you yesterday. I was getting worried.”

“Yeah. I still want this… more than ever.”

The top of a ladder appeared over the edge of the wall.

She heard it scrape against the stone as he adjusted it, then the sounds of climbing.

Then—she saw him.

Her breath caught.

Grayson.

Tall, broad-shouldered. Dark-blond hair tousled from the wind. A slight stubble along his jaw.

His eyes were blue and searching—gentle, but alert.

He looked like someone who could either catch her or carry her.

He’s real.

He looked down at her and his face shifted—just slightly.

A softness. A breath.

Like he’d just exhaled after holding it too long.

“You’re… you’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

She swallowed.

Don’t cry.

“Stand back a bit,” he said. “I’m going to lower the second ladder.”

She stepped away, holding Noah tighter.

Her hair was tangled. Her clothes were smudged. She felt like a fugitive clawing her way to freedom.

But she didn’t care .

Not now.

Grayson dropped the second ladder gently on her side of the wall. It hit the ground with a soft thunk.

Her legs trembled as she stepped onto the first rung.

Noah stirred against her.

She climbed, one shaky step at a time—arms aching, bag slung over her shoulder, breath held tight in her chest.

She was halfway up when—

All the lights came on.

Floodlights burst across the estate grounds, cutting through the dark. The garden lit up like a stage.

Voices rang out in the distance.

“Charles, you go that way! I’ll take the gardens!”

Bernarda.

She was yelling loud—but not panicked. Almost… deliberate.

Lyric’s heart slammed. She knew what Bernarda was doing.

Warning her.

Charles was coming.

She moved faster, hands scrambling upward.

Then—a snag.

Her bag caught on something near the ladder’s rung. She pulled—it wouldn’t budge.

Noah stirred again, a soft whimper escaping him.

No, no, no.

She climbed down halfway, holding Noah tight, fumbling for the strap.

It tore free.

She didn’t stop to breathe.

Back up. Fast. Every step a scream in her legs.

Grayson leaned over the edge, eyes wide. “Give me the baby!”

She froze.

Charles was close now—she could hear his boots hitting the stone.

Grayson was real—but still a stranger. How could she just hand over her baby to him? Should she trust him?

Her arms locked around Noah protectively .

She didn’t have time to think. If she waited even a second longer, Charles would reach her.

Grayson reached farther down. “I swear—I won’t let anything happen to him. But you have to move now.”

Lyric looked up.

Then back.

Then up again.

Her fingers loosened—just slightly—as she kissed Noah’s head.

“I’m sorry, baby. Mama’s right behind you.”

She lifted him.

Grayson took him—steady, sure.

Then reached down for her.

A voice rang out behind her.

“Get down from there right now, or I’m calling the police!”

Charles.

She twisted halfway, balancing on the ladder, eyes blazing.

“Go ahead!” she shouted down. “Call them—tell them you locked me up and stole my baby. See how that goes.”

His face contorted with shock.

She didn’t wait for a reply.

She grabbed Grayson’s hand—and hauled herself over the wall.

Then down the other side, her feet finally hit solid ground.

Grayson gently handed Noah back to her. Then knocked the ladder down so Charles couldn’t follow.

And she realized—

She was free.