Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 494

No midnight snack, huh.

Chris and Orson had been cracking open pistachios for ages, chatting away, before they finally shuffled out of the kitchen with the food.

And when they did—well, let's just say expectations weren't high.

All that fuss, and what did they bring? Shoestring fries, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and some garlic-butter shrimp.

A few of the shrimp were even a little burnt.

Chris clicked his tongue. "I swear, you guys must've already eaten without us."

Rupert set his plate down. "Front door's that way. Don't let it hit you on the way out."

"Whoa, whoa, just kidding!" Chris hurried to grab a plate, then got all serious. "Sylvia, thanks for having us over."

Maybe it was just Chris being there, but Sylvia suddenly felt like the house wasn't so cold anymore.

She smiled. "Come on, dig in."

Halfway through dinner, Sylvia pulled out her phone.

"My mom says they found the person who stole her stuff. She's out of the hospital now, too. She wants me to come visit since it's almost New Year's-three days left. I've got some work to finish up there anyway."

"What kind of work?" Chris piped up, always with the nosy questions.

"Mr. Rupert and Ms. Sanford's wedding rings are ready," Sylvia said, her tone

even.

He actually looked like he

scrambled to fix it. "Well, it makes sense Mrs. Naomi wants you home for the holidays, especially after everything that's happened. Moms just want their daughters around this time of

glanced over

usual, was unreadable-like the whole 'wedding ring' thing hadn't even come

visit the Garcia family while we're

She nodded.

the wedding rings was gone, as if it

get back to the

and he got ready to go

who was calling-well, they

he headed to

"Mr. Rupert."

anything, Sylvia moved in, stood on tiptoe,

Sylvia had ever kissed

then his eyes softened. He reached

it finally ended, he was

It's freezing

"Okay."

porch, watching him drive away, her eyes filled with

later-New

the sound of fireworks echoing through the neighborhood. She blinked, a

sense it and pulled her closer, wrapping

arms.

surprised. Turning, she found Rupert, still in pajamas, looking every bit as lazy as he

get here?" she asked, startled. Hadn't he said he

voice rough with sleep. "About two hours ago. You were out cold, so I let

the middle of the night." Sylvia

his