Page 188 of Bound By Crimson
Let her rot in this place, like she was nothing.
And worst of all—
She still wanted to believe he wasn’t the one who put her here.
Still prayed that somewhere inside him, love had lived.
Still hoped he hadn’t meant for this to happen.
But another part of her, the part forged in loneliness and betrayal, knew better.
He wasn’t coming.
No one was coming.
She’d told Rowan not to look for her.
Made her promise.
Told her to take the money and run—to disappear and never come back.
At the time, Lyric truly believed she’d find a way out.
She hadn’t known how deep the trap went—hadn’t known she’d become a prisoner.
And now…
Now that promise felt like a chain around her own neck.
Rowan wasn’t coming.
Because Lyric had told her not to.
If she wanted to live—if she wanted Noah to live—she would have to save herself.
Her throat closed around a sob she refused to let out. She tipped her head back against the wall, willing herself not to cry.
I loved you,she thought bitterly.And you buried me alive.
The gut-punch of truth tore through her, leaving nothing but the quiet throb of survival.
She clutched the pillow tighter against her chest, squeezing her eyes shut until the tears burned hot trails down her cheeks.
You made me love you.
You made me believe in a life that never existed.
And now… now I will have to live in shame for the rest of my life.
The words echoed inside her—bitter, broken, final.
And outside the locked door, the house fell silent.
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Twist the Knife
She heard the key turn before she heard the knock.
