Page 94 of Bound By Crimson
She pressed her hand protectively over her belly.
She remembered Callie’s words— “Don’t let him push you into giving up something that you love.”
But she loved him more.
And she loved her baby more.
Because the truth was—she didn’t want to fight. She didn’t want to struggle. She didn’t want to keep running a race just to prove she could.
He was offering her rest.
A life.
Love.
And maybe... maybe that was worth everything else.
She nodded slowly, the words sticking in her throat.
“Then yes,” she whispered. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The Cost of Love
Outside, the city moved on without her. The boutique, though empty, felt like it was holding its breath.
Lyric stood in the doorway, clutching the key in her hand like it still had something to unlock.
But there was nothing left inside.
The displays had been cleared. The racks were empty. Even the walls looked duller now, stripped of their personality. Just bare paint and silence.
Kat stood beside her, biting her lip, trying not to cry.
“You sure about this?” she asked for the third time.
Lyric nodded, but it was slow. Hesitant.
“No,” she whispered. “But I’m doing it anyway.”
Kat gave a weak laugh and blinked back tears. “You built this place from scratch. You brought something beautiful to life here.”
Lyric smiled, but it trembled.
“It was more than a store. It was my escape. My start.”
Kat wrapped her arms around her. “It’ll feel better soon. I think.”
Her words tumbled out awkwardly. “I mean, I hope. I’m not good at goodbyes.”
Lyric swallowed back emotion. “Neither am I.”
They stood there for another moment, breathing in the scent of dust and old ambition.
“I have something for you,” Lyric said softly.
She reached into her purse and handed Kat an envelope. Kat’s eyes widened as she opened it—and gasped.
