Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 486

Sylvia stood outside the brightly lit mansion, her hand halfway to the doorbell before she let it fall to her side.

Would it really be him?

As she hesitated, the door swung open and Orson stepped out onto the porch.

"Ms. Lloyd, Mr. Rupert is expecting you."

"Expecting me? He knew I was coming?" Sylvia's brows shot up in surprise.

Orson didn't answer, just gestured her inside.

She lingered for a moment, torn, but finally followed him in, her heart thudding as the familiar house came into view-closer than she'd been in years.

A storm of conflicting feelings churned inside her, pulling her in all directions.

If Rupert was the one who'd saved her... what on earth was she supposed to say?

Lost in thought, she barely realized she was standing in the foyer. The place hadn't changed-same old English antiques, the scent of lemon polish and woodsmoke. She barely had a chance to look around before a man's footsteps echoed from the staircase behind her.

She balled her fists, steeling herself, and turned.

Rupert must've stepped out from the shower-damp hair, a black silk robe hanging open over his chest, skin still glistening with steam.

His movements were easy, relaxed. No sign of injury-no gunshot wound, not even a scratch from a scuffle.

Sylvia froze, her heart caught in her throat-then suddenly, it plummeted.

She should be relieved it wasn't Rupert; that way, she owed him nothing.

But... somehow, there was an ache she couldn't put into words. She took a deep breath and forced her face into a calm mask.

"Uncle Rupert."

"Take a seat."

he sat, a cigarette already between his fingers.

flickered, casting his sharp features in

She shook

She turned to leave.

voice stopped her cold, icy

mom

spun, disbelief etched on her face. "What's that supposed to

"You tell me."

looked up, eyes hard, toying with the lighter in his

meant when

the pain grounding

t not enough to

my

"Yes."

but the

Step into the trap.

was that

cruelest part? Just minutes ago, she'd

that he

she just felt played.

"If I refuse?"

you don't

pulled her under, like she was drowning in the deep end

blurred as tears threatened. She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing, fighting the urge to

opened her eyes and looked at him—her gaze

worry, Uncle Rupert.

help her mom-Naomi-but in that instant, she couldn't

grand. Ten