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.

so hard to create a cozy

looked baffled, glancing at Orson as if

rolled his

and knife down, her face

her go on purpose! So this is what she gets for lying to you? She gets to just run off with her

Rupert said nothing.

it-even now, he was still

second. She stood up abruptly, accidentally knocking over Rupert's bottle

she looked down, she realized the box

hadn't taken his medicine

her like a punch to the

drew in a shaky breath. "You lied to

hurried to explain,

it. She turned on her heel and walked

at

and glared coldly at the guard who'd

"What now?"

a flight for Christmas Day," the guard

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

into the studio

barely sat down when a coworker appeared with fresh coffee, suddenly all

really sorry. We had no

said, accepting the coffee with a

a grudge—they still had to work

visibly relaxed, going

computer, the thought of Rupert

made her