Page 253 of Bound By Crimson
She picked it up, smoothing the aged paper flat with her fingers.
Eden—
You will learn to love me. I promise.
—M.
Her breath caught.
Just one letter.
Is this my father?
She stared at it for a moment longer—then folded it sharply and tossed it into the satchel.
She’d deal with it later.
She moved quietly, methodically.
She caught her reflection in an antique mirror. She hadn’t looked at herself in so long, she hadn’t noticed the dark circles under her eyes, the dry, dull hair.
She was pale. Thin. A ghost of herself. And that made her angry.
A thought jumped to her mind.
What would Grayson think of me?
She pushed the thought away. Tonight was about getting her and Noah out.
Tonight, she would move fast.
But now—she prepared.
She zipped the satchel closed and slid it beside the attic wall, hidden in shadow.
Whatever came next, she wouldn’t face it unprepared.
Tonight is the night.
Chapter Ninety-Five
The Escape
Nobody came to feed her all day. Editha didn’t come to taunt her. It was better that way. Especially today.
The sun had long since set.
Shadows crept across the attic like fingers, stretching across forgotten trunks and dusty beams.
Lyric stood near the wall, her bag already packed and resting beside her. The boots she found were now laced tightly to her ankles. Her father’s cardigan—soft, frayed, loyal—wrapped her in borrowed strength. Her mother’s locket rested at the base of her throat, cool and heavy.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Not with fear.
With adrenaline.
With the weight of what came next.
