Page 55 of Bound By Crimson

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She promised she would think about it. But he already knew her answer. Then he kissed her like a vow.

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October drifted into early November.

Back home, the house felt both comforting and suffocating.

Velora checked in often, making sure everything was fine. Lyric told her it was. She was safe. She was just figuring things out.

But every day without Kai stretched longer.

And he never let her forget him.

Texts. Calls. Late-night voicemails.

“I can't sleep without you.”

“I wake up reaching for you.”

“Pennsylvania is too far.”

“You belong with me.”

At first, his words made her blush. Then ache.

Then—crave.

She tried to busy herself with work at the shop—dusting antique mirrors, arranging moonstone rings, restocking crystal shelves—but every moment away from him felt heavier than the last.

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By mid November, the chill deepened.

Her once-cozy home now felt too large, too empty.

As she sat alone one night, scrolling through holiday sales and event flyers, she realized something devastating.

She would be alone for Christmas.

No parents. No family dinners.

No laughter. No warmth.

Just a quiet house filled with fading memories and empty rooms.

And Kai was only a few hours away.

Calling. Waiting. Wanting her.

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Now she couldn’t deny it any longer.

She wanted him.

She wanted belonging.

And this house—this shrine to the past—was suffocating her.

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