Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia's breath hitched, her heart tight as if someone had seized it in a fist and slammed it down onto a frozen lake.

"For who? What am I supposed to apologize for?" she snapped back, her voice sharp.

Rupert said nothing, his face as cold and hard as a Chicago winter.

His grip on her arm tightened, digging in as if he wanted to snap it.

He leaned in, voice low so only the two of them could hear, every word deliberate: "Sylvia, you're the first person to ever lie to me twice."

She scoffed. "Learned from the best. Why on earth do you think I'd ever be the side chick to a guy who lies to me and tries to blackmail me?"

"So it was all fake?" Rupert's eyes were glacial, locked on hers.

Yes.

Sylvia opened her mouth, but the word stuck in her throat.

She dropped her gaze to his hand, his fingers still clamped on her wrist. "Uncle Rupert, Mrs. Sanford is watching you," she said quietly.

Rupert glanced over at Reese and let go of her at once, stepping back.

See? Sylvia thought. The truth, the lies-it didn't even matter. He'd already made his choice.

As he put distance between them, Sylvia let her arm fall limply to her side.

All that was left on her face was a bold slash of red lipstick-her eyes were drained of hope.

Almost at the same moment, the butler appeared with a couple of staff to escort Sylvia out.

Strangely, Sylvia felt relieved.

She'd finally done what she came to do.

The photos-her roommate had taken those. And she'd told her ex post them online.

Because Rupert would never choose her.

when to

Which meant Tristan would have to publicly deny any connection with her.

From tonight on, Tristan could never treat her like his personal on-call girl again.

Sylvia turned away, the light in her eyes fading with every step.

As she brushed past Rupert, she whispered, "Uncle Rupert. Goodbye."

She walked out without a backward glance.

Tristan snorted. "Let her go! Let's all sit down and eat!"

In an instant, everyone's faces snapped into bright, cheerful smiles, as if nothing had happened at all.

Even the dining room lights seemed to flicker a little warmer.

Reese walked over to Rupert, trying to soothe him. “Mr. Rupert, come on, let's sit Sylvia wouldn't have felt

comfortable staying anywaJone

reached for his arm.

Rupert instinctively pulled away.

Reese's heart skipped.

Before she could say anything, Edwin's assistant rushed in, breathless.noveldrama

"Mr. Edwin, Ms. Lloyd just drove off in your car!"

"That can't be right-Sylvia barely knows how to drive," Naomi said, shaking her head.

Across the room, Chris dropped his wine glass with a crash.

He didn't care about the mess, just shouted, "Hurry! Stop her! Don't let her leave!"

Rupert shot Chris a dark look, and Chris looked away, guilt written all over his face.

The next second, a deafening crash sounded from outside.

Everyone shot to their

feet-everyone except Rupert, who stood frozen, something inside him

shattering, waves of him

crashing through his eyes.

He shoved the butler aside. "Out of my way."

Rupert ran out of the house.

The Garcia family's driver yelled, wasn't me! Ms. Lloyd just floored it and

oed right into the

t belongs to sw

Rupert stared at the mangled car, unable to comprehend the force of the impact.

Sylvia was slumped in the driver's seat, blood streaking down her pale face, soaking into her scarlet coat.

She looked like a broken, lifeless porcelain doll.

Rupert's hands shook as he reached for her, but he couldn't seem to move.

Snow from the trees, shaken loose by the crash, drifted down, blurring his vision. "Sylvia!" he shouted, voice raw.

But the girl who always had a comeback for him didn't move at all.

Somewhere in the haze of unconsciousness, Sylvia thought she heard someone calling her name.

Same annoying tone as always.

She forced her eyes open just a crack, seeing bloodied hands clawing at the twisted car door.

Looked like him.

No-it couldn't be.

He'd already chosen someone else.