Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Everyone was chatting and bickering at once when Sylvia noticed Bridget suddenly moving toward her.

Maybe it was just instinct, but Sylvia immediately sensed something was off. She quickly let go of Freya's hand.

But she was a second too late. Freya, who a moment ago had been acting all frantic and desperate, actually shoved Sylvia right into Bridget.

A shriek rang out. Bridget tumbled backwards, rolling down the three steps behind her.

She landed awkwardly on the hardwood floor, clutching her stomach and grimacing in pain. "Oh God, my stomach-it hurts so much..."

A coworker glared at Sylvia. "Sylvia! Bridget was just trying to make sure you were okay, and you treat her like this?"

Another coworker knelt down to help Bridget and gasped at the sight of Bridget's dress. "Oh my God-there's so much blood!"

"My baby..." Bridget moaned, her voice barely a whisper.

Sylvia's first instinct was to help-she reached out to steady Bridget, but just then someone barreled past her. She lost her balance, scraping her arm along the wooden edge of the steps. Blood welled up under the torn skin.

"Bridget!"

Miriam came running out of nowhere, dropping to her knees and pulling Bridget close.

white as she

think someone pushed me," she

darted to Sylvia and the two standing with

horror. "Sylvia, since when did you become

her patience.

hit me! Please, I'm

the more it looked like Naomi and Sylvia were

purse again. She was shaking

out for the driver, who hurried over and lifted Bridget i the back of a

a look

If anything happens to Bridget or the

off, leaving a cloud

then did Sylvia realize what had just happened. She could feel everyone's eyes burning into her.

like she was about to faint. Sylvia caught her just in time.

shook her head, and just then her phone

voice. "Get to the

It was Tristan.

leaving both Sylvia and Naomi feeling sick to their

to say something, when a black town car pulled up in

the back door. “Mrs. Naomi,