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.

could react, Rupert pulled her

her gaze shimmering with tears she stubbornly

didn't say a word, but her hurt and resentment were

darkened. He lingered a moment, then said coolly,

up and left

throat tight and raw, like there was a stone

couch, the ashtray

...

Sylvia was woken by

about last night. You had a little too much too,

phone onto the bed. Her head felt like it

whiff of a

and realized she

most of his nights here; it was close

noise from the

The room spun until she steadied herself, then she hurried out, crossing the corridor. She paused by the tall windows in the living room,

saw her. "Ms. Lloyd! You're up. Come have

thanks. I should head

with

chuckled, "Mr. Rupert's already gone to the office. I'm just here to

she was sure Rupert wasn't around, Sylvia finally sat down and took a bite. Orson poured her a glass of water and handed