Page 193 of Bound By Crimson
That’s when she moved.
Shaking, soaked in sweat, she pushed off the mattress. Her bare feet hit the floor. Her legs almost buckled.
She grabbed the doorframe, forcing herself upright.
Her eyes flicked to the floor—sharp shards of glass scattered across the threshold.
Carefully, she stepped around them, one arm braced against the wall, the other wrapped protectively around her stomach.
The hallway spun around her.
She took one step. Then another.
The walls supported her more than her own body.
Just get to the stairs. Get to a phone. Get out.
Then—
A warm gush between her legs.
Her nightgown clung to her thighs.
She looked down.
Her water had broken—right there in the hallway—like she was less than human.
She cried out—from the pain—from the shame.
And then—
“Stop!”
Bernarda.
Storming down the hall with her sleeves rolled, eyes sharp and furious. Behind her, Tessa looked stricken, covering her mouth.
“No,” Bernarda barked. “Absolutely not. Get her back to bed.”
“I didn’t mean to—she was—”
“Not now, Tessa. Grab her arm.”
Lyric tried to resist, but her knees gave out.
The next contraction hit like fire through her spine.
Tessa caught her. Bernarda grabbed her other side.
Together, they half-carried, half-dragged her back toward the room.
“Watch the glass,” Tessa warned breathlessly, steering them around the shards.
Bernarda cursed under her breath and kicked a few larger pieces aside with the toe of her boot.
They stumbled back into the room.
“No! Please! I need help—I need out—I need—”
