Page 175 of Bound By Crimson

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A sound finally broke from her lips. Guttural. Shaky. A sob that never fully formed.

She looked down at her stomach.

He knew. Of course he knew.

He knew who she was.

He knew this baby was real.

He kissed her belly every night.

He named their son.

He said we’re a family now.

Her hand clamped over her mouth as nausea clawed its way up her throat.

Did he plan this from the beginning?

Had he seen her, known her, stalked her?

Had she been a game?

Her heart punched against her ribs.

He’s my uncle.

The thought hit like a wave of bile.

She doubled over, breath hitching, body trembling.

No. No, no, no. This wasn’t an accident. This wasn’t confusion.

This was on purpose.

And now—

Now she couldn’t even go to the police.

She couldn’t even fight back.

If this got out—if the truth about their blood, about the baby—

Her son would carry the weight.

He didn’t deserve that.

He didn’t ask for any of this.

She had to protect him.

Even if it meant letting the world believe she was a liar.

Even if it meant vanishing.

Even if it meant never getting answers.

Her breath hitched again.

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