Page 194 of Bound By Crimson

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“You need to breathe,” Bernarda snapped.

They laid her down. The sheets were already damp from earlier contractions.

Tessa wiped her forehead with shaking hands.

“I’ll get her,” she whispered. “I’ll go get her now.”

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Editha arrived within minutes.

Composed. Smirking. A ghost in heels.

“Well,” she said, glancing at the wet trail leading from the hallway to the bed, “you’re in labor. How exciting.”

Lyric clutched the bedframe. “I need a hospital. Please. I can’t—this isn’t safe.”

Editha tilted her head.

“Oh no, my dear. The Thornwicks have always believed in natural births. This estate has hosted dozens of them. Some of them even survived.”

“What?” Lyric gasped. “You can’t be serious—”

“The maids are trained. You’ll be just fine.”

“I need Kai,” Lyric begged, writhing. “He should be here. Where is he?”

The name tore from her lips before she could stop it—and shame burned hotter than the contraction ripping through her.

She hated herself for wanting him even now.

For calling for the man who had betrayed her.

For calling for her uncle.

Editha just smiled.

She turned to go. “Good luck, sweetheart.”

The door clicked behind her.

Lyric screamed.

The pain was stretching time.

Her vision swam. The ceiling breathed. Her hands clawed at the sheets. She could feel Noah pressing down, too soon, too hard, like her body wasn’t ready—but it had no choice.

He should be here. He should be holding my hand. He should be saying my name. He should love us.

Tessa knelt beside her, whispering reassurance through tears.

Bernarda was all business, folding towels, checking for progress.

Another contraction hit.

Lyric screamed until her throat tore open.

She was alone.

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