Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 367

Eloise gripped her phone tight and absentmindedly rubbed her stomach. "You know, I've been pregnant before, too," she said quietly.

Sylvia felt a sharp, stabbing ache in her chest. No wonder Eloise was falling apart.

"Hey, Sylvia, I'm not even drunk yet. Come on, have a couple drinks with me."

"Sure," Sylvia agreed. She knew Eloise needed to let off some steam-honestly, so did she.

A sleek black car cruised down the wide avenue. The window was rolled down a crack, letting wisps of cigarette smoke curl around the driver's shadowed face.

Orson, at the wheel, suddenly pulled to the curb. He nodded toward the sidewalk. "Mr. Rupert, that's Ms. Lloyd. Who's the guy with her?"

Rupert looked up just in time to see another man carrying her purse and laughing as he followed her into an underground bar.

His cigarette snapped in two between his fingers. The burning tip fell onto the back of his hand, but he didn't even flinch.

"Pull over," Rupert said coldly.

"Yes, sir."

Inside the bar, Sylvia was already feeling a little lightheaded after two shots of bourbon.

She grabbed Eloise's hand across the table. "Eloise, I figured it out. He never loved you. That's it! It's not your fault!"

Eloise, usually all business and steel, burst out laughing. "You're damn right! Screw him! Cheers!"

They clinked glasses, but after the next round, Eloise slumped over, completely out.

and let her cheek fall to the

man at another table noticed and swaggered over, reaching for Sylvia's

a hand twisted his

saw Rupert's ice-cold stare. His

"Mr. Rupert-sir, I—"

"Get lost," Rupert growled.

bolted,

the table, glaring at the

get someone to take Ms. Eloise home,"

"Yes, sir."

his arms and carried her out of the

look at the bartender, who froze, dropping two glasses in terror and watching in

bolt upright and started banging on

the car! I'm gonna be

over,

making it

before she threw

over

watering, until a bottle of

appeared under her nose.

sorrows at midnight like everyone else?" Rupert's dry, mocking voice cut through

back. The cold wind stung her eyes

seemed both close and impossibly far away-an outline blurred by the city lights, looming and

hand, frowning deeply. "Why didn't

The last night