Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 492

Chris couldn't help but twitch at Orson's words, quickening his steps toward the voices coming from the backyard.

There, he saw Sylvia directing Rupert-who looked every bit the proper English gentleman in his crisp suit-while he dug holes and buried seeds in the garden. When Sylvia spotted Chris, she waved and grinned, "Dr. Chris, there you are!"

Rupert, still clutching a shovel, looked rather out of place with dirt smeared all over his dress pants, but it did nothing to diminish his usual air of authority.

His expression, however, was less than pleased. “Christine, put your phone away. If I catch you snapping a photo, you won't make it out of here alive."

Chris flashed a guilty smile and hurried to shove his phone back in his pocket.

Then he remembered Rupert's wound and piped up, "Hey, take it easy, alright? You know, your "

Rupert's glare was sharp enough to cut steel.

Chris quickly switched gears, "I mean, Ms. Lloyd only just got over that carbon monoxide poisoning yesterday. She shouldn't be overexerting herself."

Sylvia, oblivious to the tense exchange, brushed off her jeans. "I'm fine, really."

"Still, better safe than sorry. Why don't you both come inside and take a breather? I'll check you over, just in case."

He was mostly worried about Rupert-who was supposed to be recovering from a gunshot wound, not moonlighting as a gardener. Seriously, what next? Dying dramatically on a bed of roses?

"Alright, if you insist," Sylvia said, handing the gardening tools back to Rupert and following Chris toward the house.

in his hand, a rare, almost imperceptible smile tugging

in the spring, or

boss," Orson replied, surprised to

Chris gave Sylvia a quick

to make sure they were alone, then lowered his voice, "Are you still

them,” Sylvia answered, almost

feeling now?"

said, grabbing a paper towel to

a little-until he realized Sylvia had already gone through a mountain of paper

"Still at

matter how I feel? As long as he's happy, that's my job,

don't talk like that. Just give him some time,

I'm dying," Sylvia whispered,

heart twisted, but with

words

Sylvia. This

laugh. “I knew you'd say that.

Dr. Chris, as your patient-if you ever get the chance, will

she called him "Dr. Chris" made it impossible for him to ignore

will," he promised

she managed, her smile

Rupert came in, now