Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 58

Rupert strolled over to the window, flung it open, and flicked a cigarette towards his buddy, lighting it up with one hand.

His friend pocketed the cigarette but didn't light it up. Gazing through the swirling smoke at Rupert, he quizzed, puzzled, "Who is this woman, anyway? Got you personally escorting her? Bridget was hurt, and you didn't stay with her for even one night. I saw you leaving another hospital room early that morning; don't tell me it was hers?"

"Yeah," Rupert's response was curt and to the point.

His friend nearly stumbled in shock. He rushed to face Rupert and got a clear view of the marks at his collar.

At first, he couldn't believe his eyes, but as looking closely, he was absolutely floored.

Rupert? With a hickey? Impossible!

Rupert had been with Bridget for three years, and they hardly ever appeared hand in hand, let alone something as intimate as a hickey.

He and Rupert had been classmates since high school, with him veering into medicine after finding finance too daunting, only to discover medicine was even more terrifying.

Now serving as both a hospital doctor and Rupert's personal physician, he was intimately aware of Rupert's health.

His astonishment stemmed from the surprisingly pristine nature of Rupert's annual physical reports, especially in certain sensitive areas. He once suspected Rupert had some issues in there and even offered medication. Rupert claimed he was a germophobe. And now here he was, sporting a hickey like it was nothing. Who would believe he was a germophobe?

still unsure, ventured cautiously, "That looks pretty intense.

"It's not her."

leaned against the windowsill, his silhouette framed against the backdrop, exuding an

talk about her condition," Rupert steered the conversation away from his

but it's her mental

her," the doctor said earnestly,

fell silent for a

ask about organ donation for children? She's so young; she can't

icy, a clear

hands, "I won't ask, won't tell others

snuffed out his cigarette, turned and left the

standing by the corridor window, waiting for her turn to be

a fight with an inmate and was killed.

looked up at Rupert, "Is Julian really the mere cause of me turning into

a sneer playing on

her trapped in an

said, "Right, I deserved it. Uncle, the punishment

not pleased with her

mentioned Sylvia, "No. 1205, Sylvia, please proceed to Examination Room