Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 27

The efficiency of the police was astonishingly high. No sooner had Sylvia agreed to a settlement than they had the documents ready for her to sign. One of the officers, who was the woman taking Sylvia's statement earlier, offered a gentle word of caution, "Are you sure you've thought this through?"

Holding the pen, her hand trembling slightly, Sylvia managed a bitter smile, "Yes, I've made up my mind. Let's just get this over with."

After all, she felt like nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game at this point. Without allowing herself a moment of doubt, Sylvia quickly signed her name. The female officer sighed, took the settlement documents, and left.

Almost immediately after, Naomi walked into the hospital room carrying a basket of comfort food.

Their eyes met, and Naomi's eyes were rimmed red with guilt.

"Sylvia..."

"I know all about it. Is Edwin okay?" Sylvia inquired.

Wiping away tears and serving up some soup, Naomi sighed, "He's fine, just got a bit of an earful. You know how Tristan can be. It's all that Julian's fault, the scoundrel! Dressed up like a gentleman, but nothing of the sort." Exhausted, Sylvia confessed, "Mom, I don't want to get married."

Naomi, wary of pressing the issue further, quickly uttered, "I understand. Anyway, the media storm has moved on to Bridget, doesn't affect us anymore. If you don't want to get married, then don't. I was just worried about what they might think, that you're holding out for someone you shouldn't."

of soup. Sylvia,

what's the deal with

saying Bridget staged the whole drama to trap a husband. Now everyone's calling her out for being shameless. She and Rupert, you know how many people envied them? Now

situation and quickly asked

comments criticizing Bridget for not restraining herself and being desperate to marry. Everything had changed on

phone away, urging, "Eat up,

said, "Rupert loves Bridget that much. How can

mean by that?" Naomi asked,

colleagues, right? Could you ask around about

Those people seemed unimportant, and

nurse walked in with an IV

Garcia,

"Hi," Naomi responded..

IV for Sylvia, she joked, "A colleague just

but ask,

the nurse adjusted the drip rate and said, "He and Ms. Simpson looked quite cozy

glanced at Sylvia, who was quietly eating her soup without