Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 1

According to the rules, relatives were not allowed to view the process at crematorium.

Supported by the icy steel bed, Sylvia Lloyd paid her way into the crematorium's inner sanctum.

The air was tinged with the scent of burning, intermingled with the ash that danced in the sunlight. Perhaps it was someone's ashes. Soon, her precious daughter would become just that.

Sylvia was clad in a long black dress that barely covered her gaunt frame even in the smallest size, her eyes, swollen and red from crying, now held a serene calm.

She reached out to touch the cold, stiff hand that protruded from beneath the white shroud, and into her daughter's palm, she placed two pink paper stars. "Wait for me, Stella."

Time seemed to stand still until a worker approached, pulling Sylvia away to reveal Stella's face under the shroud.

At eight years old, Stella was frail and thin, her ribcage starkly defined, with a noticeable dip at the bottom.

she gazed at that dip.

attempting consolation, softly said, "Sorry for your loss. At least your daughter's kidney saved another child, who will now

Right now, they're celebrating his grand birthday party. Did

at Stella, Sylvia forced a pale smile, "Go ahead, let's not delay. I hope my daughter finds a better life

worker prepared to move

Sylvia wasn't afraid; Stella was finally at peace, no longer despised by her own

Daddy like

Daddy like Ms. Simpson's

you because of me?

destroyed by Rupert Garcia's

the biggest amusement park, a dream day with her father. Instead, he had put her in a surgery

ironic thing was that a blood-stained children's watch lay beside her, dialing

the busy line, Sylvia had held back tears and hugged

since Bridget Simpson returned from abroad with her son, boldly accusing Sylvia of harming them, Rupert had made her a madwoman,