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 wanted to slap

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

glanced over at

whole 'wedding ring'

you to visit the Garcia family

She nodded.

topic of the wedding rings was

Chris had to get back to

and he got ready to

was calling-well,

headed to his car. Just before he left, she called

"Mr. Rupert."

before he could say anything, Sylvia moved in, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him—a quick,

Sylvia had ever

He reached up,

he was

It's freezing out

"Okay."

him drive away, her eyes filled with a swirl of emotions-complicated, but

days later-New Year's

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

beside her seemed to sense it and pulled

arms.

looking every bit as lazy

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

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

of the night." Sylvia frowned, trying to

opened his eyes,