Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 489

Reese reached out to take the jacket from the crook of his arm, but he sidestepped her gesture so smoothly it was almost unnoticeable.

"I've got it. You should get some sleep," Rupert said.

Her hand hovered in mid-air. She looked up at him, a little lost. "Aren't we... going

to bed together?"

Rupert hung up his coat. "Got work to do. You go ahead."

Without waiting for her reply, he headed for his study.

Reese stood there, fingers twisting nervously together. She bit her lip. "Mr. Rupert... Did I do something wrong?"

He paused, his reply flat and distant. "Don't overthink it."

"You said that last time too," Reese pressed, unable to help herself. "But you're always home late, and when you do come back, you've got bruises. Where do you go every night?"

Rupert stopped in his tracks, his eyes suddenly dark and unreadable as he looked at her.

He opened his mouth, but Reese quickly raised a hand to stop him.

jitters, I guess. You're a busy man, Mr. Rupert. It's not like there's much else for you

glancing back, and

took a deep breath, wiped her face hard, and told herself

least he'd agreed to marry her. He was good to

were married, she was sure things

Reese, as Rupert's soon-to-be wife, needed to join him in paying their respects to

with gifts-fancy chocolates, imported cheese, a

they

he said, his tone warm and paternal. "Don't worry. I'll make

who sat beside her with his usual blank expression. She forced a smile. "Really, I'm fine. The wedding's. coming up so soon, I don't want any

hint of a cold smile at the corner of his

you making trouble, Reese. Some people

Reese, but the

down, awkward, not knowing what to say. She quietly ate her

finished, she excused herself—she had medicine to

voice turned pointed. "Last night was a big night

from the maid,

catch a thief," he replied,

shifted. "What's

deserves to be protected. So, the thief had