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.

eyes widened. He actually looked like

for the holidays, especially after everything

over at

as usual, was unreadable-like the whole 'wedding ring'

the Garcia family while

She nodded.

that, the topic of the wedding rings was

had to get back to the hospital,

rang, and he got

was calling-well, they all

him to the door, watching as he headed to his

"Mr. Rupert."

say anything, Sylvia moved in, stood

first time Sylvia had

eyes softened. He reached up, cupped her head,

ended, he was

It's freezing out

"Okay."

porch, watching him drive away, her eyes filled with

days later-New Year's

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

her seemed to sense it

arms.

still in pajamas, looking every bit as lazy

she asked, startled. Hadn't he said

eyes, his voice rough with sleep. "About two hours ago. You were

the night."

finally opened his eyes, meeting her