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

Rupert's eyes

was almost unreal. Now there was a thin line

his phone and shot off a message

Don't hold back.

behind her, fumbled with her

it immediately: it was the same one

it off and

saw how pale

"It's not about "

of police sirens

in her eyes. "What's going on? Why are there police

window, parted the curtains for a quick look, then

down so their eyes met. "You don't know anything,

Sylvia hesitated, then nodded.

to a

shirt on the

hers. "Change into that

bathroom, changed, and walked straight for the private dining

leaving, she glanced back at

cigarette, his face hidden

gone,

other end, he

obsession with collecting human skin-always bought it off the dark web, so nobody found out. He came here for the jewelry

said, exhaling a stream of smoke. "The cops are