Page 263 of Bound By Crimson

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She hadn’t realized how tightly she’d been holding herself until now.

For the first time in forever, her body began to let go.

Not because she was saved.

But because—for the first time in a long time—she didn’t feel alone.

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The sky was beginning to lighten.

They had a long way to go.

But she wasn’t running anymore.

She was driving toward something.

Something new.

Something safe.

It wasn’t the end.

It wasn’t quite a beginning either.

It was something she never thought she’d have.

Freedom.

Epilogue

Sunset

The sky burned gold and crimson as the sun dipped toward the horizon.

Waves rolled in slow and steady, whispering against the shore.

Lyric stood barefoot in the sand, the hem of her dress fluttering in the breeze. Her hair was longer now, sun-kissed and free, dancing around her face.

She looked peaceful.

She was.

Noah giggled behind her, stumbling through the soft dunes. Tiny feet kicking up sand.

Chubby hands reaching for seashells. His laughter cut through the air like music.

“Careful, baby,” she called softly.

He turned toward her, cheeks flushed pink, eyes bright.

“Mama!”

He held up a small shell in his chubby fist, giggling.

She smiled, walking over to him, kneeling in the warm sand.

“That’s a beautiful one,” she said, brushing his hair back. “Just like you.”

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