Page 257 of Bound By Crimson
Neither of them moved.
Then—Bernarda’s voice sliced through the moment.
She moved fast—faster than Lyric had ever seen her.
She stepped between them, one hand raised.
“Tessa,” she said sharply. “Back in the room. Now.”
Tessa faltered. “But—”
“Now.”
Something in her tone made Tessa obey. She backed into the room behind her, eyes wide with confusion. The door clicked shut.
Bernarda turned to Lyric.
She didn’t speak for a moment. Just looked at the child in Lyric’s arms. Then at Lyric’s face.
“I gave her sleeping pills tonight, it won’t last forever.”
Lyric’s eyes widened.The rattle.That’s why Editha hadn’t woken up.
Bernarda held out a small canvas bag.
“Formula. Bottles. Diapers. Enough for a few days.”
Lyric stared at it, stunned.
Bernarda’s voice dropped low. Fierce, but trembling.
“Go. Now. Before she wakes up.”
Lyric reached for the bag with a shaking hand. “Why are you—?”
“Because he deserves better—you deserve better,” Bernarda said quietly. “I thought you were safe once. I thought your mother made it… Don’t let them get to him.”
Their eyes met.
Something passed between them—silent, heavy, final.
Lyric nodded.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Bernarda stepped back without a word, fading into the shadows.
Lyric stood frozen for one more second.
Then she ran.
Down the grand staircase, careful not to slip.
Through the corridor that led to the back of the estate.
To the door that opened into the gardens.
She reached for the handle. Turned it.
