Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia froze, not quite sure what Rupert meant.

It almost sounded like he was asking for a label-like he wanted to define their relationship or something.

But how could there even be a label between them?

He was in love with Bridget. To him, Sylvia was just someone to use.

She was the kind of person he'd sacrifice without a second thought.

Sylvia felt her chest tighten. Her voice came out cold: "Oh, right. I forgot. You're my Uncle Rupert."

Rupert's eyes narrowed, shadows swirling in their depths. Suddenly, he lost his patience and grabbed the back of her head, pulling her into a rough, punishing kiss.

Their breaths tangled, the air between them turning electric and wild. She barely had time to resist before her strength gave out and all she could do was let him take what he wanted. A low, helpless sound escaped her throat.

"Mmm..."

Rupert's breathing hitched. He gripped her waist, his voice gravelly, almost desperate: "Sylvia, you're going to drive me insane."

She frowned, about to protest, but her back hit the wall, making her flinch in pain.

"Ah-"

Rupert let out an exasperated sigh and gently pulled her down to sit. "Turn around. Let me put something on that cut."

Sylvia wanted to say no, but her body just gave in and she sat down, exhausted.

Rupert grabbed some disinfectant from the table and dabbed it on the scrape along her back.

was a surface wound, nothing

Rupert's eyes

was almost unreal. Now there was a thin line of

pulled out his phone and shot off a

Don't hold back.

his pause behind her, fumbled with her torn shirt. "Are

something warm landed on her shoulders-a jacket. She recognized it immediately: it was

and handed it back. "I'm fine. Not

he saw how pale she looked, something

"It's not about "

he could finish, the sharp sound of police sirens cut

her feet, panic in her eyes. "What's going on? Why

the window, parted the curtains for a quick look, then grabbed her and pulled her

leaning down so their eyes met. "You don't

Sylvia hesitated, then nodded.

to

on

into that

bathroom, changed, and walked straight for the private

leaving, she glanced

window, lighting a cigarette, his face hidden in a haze of smoke— impossible

gone, Rupert called

the other end, he heard

web, so nobody found out. He came here for the jewelry expo, and the moment he landed, someone sent him a link. It was a site

stream of smoke. "The cops