Page 112 of Bound By Crimson

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She paused, watching his face for a flicker of understanding.

“She said everyone needs to justify their presence. And then… she said this isn’t a place for strays.”

The last word caught in her throat.

“I’m probably reading too much into it,” she added after a beat. “It just… didn’t sit right.”

She didn’t say anything else.

She just waited.

Kai sat up slowly, running a hand through his hair. His smile was soft, but a little tired.

“Lyric, you must’ve misunderstood her. She wouldn’t say something like that to be cruel. It’s just how she was raised. She’s very… old-fashioned.”

“I don’t know.” Lyric pulled the sheet up around herself, feeling the weight settle deeper into her chest.

“It just felt…strange.”

He leaned down and kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment.

“You’re overthinking it. She probably meant that everyone has a role to play. That’s all. Don’t let it get to you, okay?”

Lyric nodded—but the knot in her stomach stayed tight.

After a quiet pause, Kai exhaled and swung his legs over the side of the bed.

“I should tell you something,” he said.

“I got a call while I was out yesterday. From the firm. They’re dealing with a mess since I left. They asked me to come back for a few days—just to help sort it out.”

Her stomach dropped.

Not a little. Not slightly.It dropped.

He was leaving.

And she would be here—alone.

With her.

She didn’t move. Didn’t let it show. But inside, her mind spun. They had only been here a few days. She hadn’t even memorized the layout of the estate yet. She still got turned around in the hallways. The staff didn’t speak unless spoken to. Mrs. Thornwick always spoke like she knew more than Lyric ever would.

A few days felt like a lifetime.

She pushed it all down, every jagged edge of it.

“You’re leaving?” she asked, her voice steadier than it should’ve been.

“Just for a few days,” he reassured.

“I’ll be back before you even miss me.”

She forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Will you still have breakfast with me before you go?”

He turned, grinning. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

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