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.

slick with sweat, her knuckles white as she clung to her dress, her whole

someone pushed me,"

and the

face changed. She looked at Sylvia in horror. "Sylvia, since when did you become so cruel? I saw it!

could get a word in, Naomi lost her patience. She swung her purse at Freya. "Freya!

to her knees, bursting into tears. "Don't hit me! Please, I'm sorry, I won't say anything else! Please just leave

it looked like Naomi and

everyone watching, Naomi didn't dare swing her purse again. She was shaking with anger, her face

for the driver, who hurried over and

Sylvia a

the baby,

leaving a

realize what had just happened. She could feel everyone's eyes burning into her. Her breathing was still

looked like she was about to faint. Sylvia

shook her head, and just then

"Get to the hospital -now! Look at the mess you and your

It was Tristan.

Sylvia and Naomi

She gripped Sylvia's hand, about to say something, when a

back door. “Mrs. Naomi, Mr. Tristan sent me