Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

She shot Rupert a string of numbers, then swiped left and deleted the chat.

Fiona's eyes looked like they were about to roll back in her head before Sylvia finally released her grip.

Honestly, Sylvia wanted to strangle Fiona right then and there.

But this was a new life, a fresh start. She'd promised Stella she'd be different this time.

There was no way she'd let someone like Fiona ruin the rest of her life.

As soon as Fiona broke free, she started shrieking like a banshee, "Help! Somebody help me!"

Before the words even faded, the door burst open. Warren, his arm freshly bandaged, stormed in with a couple of bodyguards in tow.

He yanked Sylvia away. "Sylvia, calm down! If it weren't for Rupert, my mother and I wouldn't be in this mess. He forced us into this!"

Sylvia went instantly quiet, her face draining of what little color it had left. She glared at Warren, her eyes burning red at the corners.

"You knew? You were in on this?"

Warren's mouth dropped open he clearly hadn't meant to let that slip.

Fiona, still rubbing her neck, spat out, "Of course he knew! He's the one who handed you over to Rupert in the first place!"

Breath hitching, Sylvia stared at Warren and struggled in his arms.

me. But you used me to bargain for

on you, so who are you to judge me? Sylvia, I'm all

flipped in Warren. The fake kindness vanished, replaced by a twisted, furious look that revealed every

hard, knocking her to the

up at him, terrified. He looked

deep breath, then plastered

was an accident. Here, let

"Don't touch me!"

scrambled away, putting several

he dropped the act. "Fine.

her out, closing the door behind

of the lock echoed, and Sylvia collapsed to the floor,

had no idea how much

door opened again. Warren was back, and a attendant handed her a thick

swnlight

dragged her out

swirled in the air, blanketing everything in white. Sylvia just

big red house, its

hand and gave her a soft, almost sincere

settled

Hospital.

clouded with worry when