Page 125 of Bound By Crimson
Kai stepped in, stopping short when he saw her.
His face shifted—something unreadable flickered in his eyes. Surprise. Maybe guilt. But then he smiled.
“Hey,” he said softly, closing the door behind him.
“I missed you,” she whispered.
“I missed you too.”
His voice was low. Warm. Convincing.
She collapsed into his arms, her body betraying her heart, burying her face against his chest.
“I know,” he murmured, kissing her hair. “I’m sorry.”
She looked up at him, tears forming again. “I just want us back.”
“You have me,” he said, pressing his forehead to hers.
For a moment, it felt like it might be true.
They sat on the bed together, the pillow still between them.
Kai brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Her stomach dropped.
“The firm’s struggling without me. I didn’t expect that, but… I guess I’m more needed than I thought. I have to go back. Not forever. Just for a week or so at a time.” He hesitated then added, “I built that company, Lyric. It’s mine. I’m not ready to just throw it all away.”
“When?” she asked, her voice small.
“In a few days.”
Her throat tightened. “A week?”
“Just one. Maybe two, max.”
Lyric looked away, her vision blurring. “You just got back.”
“I know. I wouldn’t go if I didn’t have to.”
This wasn’t what he promised.
She nodded slowly, but something sharp moved beneath her skin.
I gave up everything.
Her boutique. Her freedom. Her identity. She came here for him—let go of the life she was building so she could fit into his.
But she didn’t say that.
Instead, she tucked the thought deep into the same place where all her doubts were going to live now. Because she didn’t want to seem ungrateful. Because she wanted him to be happy. Because maybe—just maybe—if she kept being what he needed, he’d never want to leave again.
She nodded, biting her lip to keep it from trembling. She wanted to argue. She wanted to scream. But after their last fight, she couldn’t bear to push him further away.
“You’ll come back, though?” she asked, quieter this time.
“Of course,” he said, kissing her again. “You and the baby… you’re everything.”
