Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 369

At that moment, footsteps echoed in the hallway. Sylvia snapped out of her

thoughts, quickly lay back, and shut her eyes tight.

A few seconds later, she felt a heavy gaze fall on her.

He stood there for a while, just watching. Sylvia kept still, pretending to sleep, until something warm and damp pressed gently against her cheek-a washcloth. She flinched, startled to realize he was cleaning her face.

When he finished, he took her hand, opening her palm. As the cloth ran over her fingers, her hand trembled.

Rupert looked down at Sylvia's reddened palm. He let out a sharp sigh, half frustrated, half amused.

He flicked his gaze toward her, still lying there, pretending to be asleep. His voice was low and gruff. "You didn't make a peep when you got hurt, but you sure know how to act like it stings now."

Busted, Sylvia yanked her hand back and rolled over, squeezing her eyes shut again.

Rupert tossed the washcloth onto the headboard and settled onto the edge of the bed.

"When did you get so hard to please, huh?"

"Playing deaf now?"

Sylvia's head was pounding-she just didn't have the energy to argue.

Before she could react, Rupert pulled her

damp, her gaze shimmering with tears she stubbornly refused to

hurt

then said

up and

her throat tight and raw, like

couch, the ashtray

...

was woken by a text from

sorry about last night. You had a little too much too, right? Get some

replied, dropping her phone onto the bed. Her head felt like it might explode. She flopped face-first into the

whiff of a scent-sharp

and realized she was in Rupert's

here; it was close to the

the hallway

by the tall

he saw her. "Ms.

thanks. I should

with a loud,

chuckled, "Mr. Rupert's already gone to the

Rupert wasn't around, Sylvia finally sat down and took a bite.