Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

There was something magnetic about him-something that drew you in, but made you wary all the same.

Rupert had arrived.

He strode toward Sylvia, and just then, Bridget spun her wheelchair around and threw herself into his arms.

"Mr. Rupert, I'm fine, really. Don't blame Sylvia. I just wanted to talk to her, that's all. After all, we're getting married in a month."

"There's nothing to talk about with her."

Rupert's voice was cold as ice as he gently helped Bridget back into her wheelchair.

Bridget frowned, leaning into Rupert. "Mr. Rupert, please, don't be like this. She's family, after all."

"She isn't." Rupert's gaze was steely, void of warmth.

"Well, if she's not family, then I guess she's just a stranger." Bridget glanced at Sylvia, putting on an act of helplessness.

A chill shot down Sylvia's spine.

Suddenly, words echoed in her mind, as if from another lifetime.

"Sylvia, eight years with Mr. Rupert can't compete with me. The moment I came back, he couldn't wait to push you aside for me and his son. He even said-he said he never saw you or your daughter as his own. You were always outsiders."

Sylvia clutched at her chest, gasping for breath. Her face grew paler by the second, her eyes rimmed bright red-so red they looked almost bloody.

"Get out! Get out!"

She lurched toward Bridget, but her strength gave out, and she crashed hard onto the floor.

of you, just

Chris rushed forward, catching her before she could

I hate him!" She clung to

up, locking eyes with Rupert's cold, indifferent stare. He looked

change. He simply turned Bridget's

With a pained grunt, she

sighed, scooping

Worbet

her back bed Hershot antirritated look at the

did Bridget even know she

Dr. Chris. But Ms. Simpson is just so pitiful...

moment, he thought maybe Rupert had the

Chris barely had a chance to sit when he

red house, 12252050

Chris thought she was delirious, but when he leaned in, she

numbers,

Suddenly, a

thought struck him. He

nurse back in.

Watch hen't

lose in, you h

me?"

Chris left, the nurse rolled

baby, and now she's

that, she shut the door and stalked

...

Hospital parking lot.