Page 137 of Bound By Crimson
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.
