Page 151 of Bound By Crimson
Mrs. Thornwick smiled, folding her napkin gently in her lap.
“You’re looking very tired this morning. Didn’t sleep well?”
Lyric reached for her water.
“I was expecting Kai last night.”
“Oh, were you?”
Something in her tone crept across Lyric’s skin.
“Yes,” Lyric said. “He said he’d only be gone a week.”
Mrs. Thornwick lifted her tea to her lips and sipped. Then, casually, she said,
“He called me last night. Said he’s been delayed. Might be another few days.”
Lyric’s chest tightened.
“He—he called you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice even.
“Of course,” Mrs. Thornwick said, as if it were obvious. “He tells me everything.”
Lyric stared at the tablecloth. A slow dread unfurled inside her.
“Why didn’t he call me?” she whispered.
“Perhaps he didn’t want to worry you. Or perhaps he’s learned that you… overreact.”
Mrs. Thornwick’s smile widened.
Lyric blinked quickly, fighting off the sudden sting behind her eyes.
Mrs. Thornwick reached for a croissant, broke it in half, and buttered it slowly.
“You know, dear, the Thornwick men… they like to have their fun.”
The words hit like ice water.
Mrs. Thornwick continued, calm and measured, her knife scraping delicately against the toast.
“It’s a family trait, I’m afraid. They crave passion, mystery, indulgence. You can’t expect them to be… domestic. Not for long.”
Lyric swallowed. Her throat burned.
“He’s not like that,” she said quietly—though the note flashed into her mind like a cruel whisper she couldn’t unsee.
“Isn’t he?”
Mrs. Thornwick looked at her then—really looked—and there was something gleaming in her eyes. Hunger. Victory.
“Oh, sweet girl… how fun can you possibly be for him right now? Look at yourself. You’re waddling around here with swollen ankles and tangled hair, falling asleep before dinner. You think he looks at you and sees the same woman he brought home from New York?”
Lyric stiffened.
Mrs. Thornwick leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowed with interest.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d suspect you got yourself pregnant on purpose. To trap him. To get the Thornwick name.”
