Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Rupert was sitting on the couch, flipping through some paperwork when he glanced up at her.

"Awake? Looks like that fits you pretty well."

"Yeah," she replied, nodding, but there was something off about the way he said it

that made her pause.

Just then, Orson came out of the kitchen.

"Mr. Rupert, Ms. Lloyd, breakfast is ready."

Rupert closed his folder and stood up, then gently ushered Sylvia over to the dining table.

"I'll have the driver take you to the studio later," he told her as she sat down.

Sylvia checked her watch but didn't argue. "Alright."

As breakfast was winding down, she snuck a glance at him and asked carefully, "Uncle Rupert, you took your meds yesterday-how are you feeling today?"

Rupert's expression darkened just a touch. "I'm fine."

Sylvia persisted, "Make sure you take your pills after breakfast—just to be safe."

He just nodded, setting down his fork and fixing his gaze on her.

Sylvia squirmed under his stare, feeling awkward. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Wiping his hands, Rupert said quietly, "Just surprised you still care, that's all." Sylvia was about to retort, but a security guard knocked and walked in.

"Mr. Rupert, we found Ms. Simpson. She's safe, and right now—" "Ahem!" Orson cleared his throat loudly, shooting a glare at the guard.

create a cozy

baffled, glancing at Orson as if to say,

rolled

her fork and knife down, her face going pale as she stared

gets for lying to you? She gets to just run off with her boyfriend, no

Rupert said nothing.

it-even now, he was

another second. She stood up abruptly, accidentally

down, she realized the box was still

his

hit her like a punch to

in a shaky breath. "You lied to me

explain, "Ms. Lloyd,

She turned on

helplessly at

waved him off and glared coldly at the guard who'd barged

"What now?"

flight for Christmas Day," the guard

"So Bridget's just given up and skipped town?" Rupert lit a cigarette, tossing

into the studio

down when a coworker appeared with fresh coffee,

had no

said, accepting the

a grudge—they still had to

going back to

stared at her computer, the

made her chest