Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 294

Last night, Sylvia took her meds and drifted off to sleep early, only to be swept into a whirlwind of dreams that seemed to tumble over one another without rhyme or reason. By morning, she felt utterly drained, as if she'd been running a mental marathon in her sleep.

Rubbing her temples, she glanced at the clock and realized she needed to hustle. After a quick wash, she headed to the hallway to grab her scarf. But something felt off. The texture was different.

Unfolding the scarf, she noticed a golden thread embroidered with the word "weight" glinting in the corner. She paused, puzzled.

Wasn't Rupert the one who said this scarf was super important and he'd never just hand it over to anyone? What on earth was he up to now?

Her first instinct was to think Rupert was roping her into something again. Frustrated, she tossed the scarf aside but couldn't find her own anywhere.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a notification from her work group: a meeting in an hour. With no other choice, she reluctantly wrapped Rupert's scarf around her neck, hoping it would hide the marks there.

As she hurried out the door and into the elevator, she was surprised to see her neighbor already inside. Remembering last night's events, Sylvia felt a flush of embarrassment and avoided eye contact.

Her neighbor gave her a knowing glance, taking in Sylvia's rosy lips with a sly smile. "Slept in, did you?"

admitted,

neighbor teased. "If I had a boyfriend with a body like that, I'd struggle to

turned crimson.

skip breakfast. I made extra

"I wasn't..."

neighbor gestured at Sylvia's lips. "Put on some lipstick,

misunderstanding

...

cloud nine, chatting and

down, and her phone buzzed

Bridget's place,

affectionately, leading him toward the Simpson family home, her face alight with joy, like a

Bridget. Although

at the