Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia spent almost the entire holiday in a hospital bed.

The only thing that kept her sane was the company-Chris and Naomi kept her entertained with stories and gossip, and Lester would pop in pretty regularly too.

She definitely didn't expect what happened next. The day she was finally getting discharged, while she and Naomi were packing up her things, Lester showed up -with a woman she didn't recognize.

"Sylvia, hey! How are you feeling?" the woman greeted her, waving

enthusiastically. Sylvia's gaze drifted to the wedding band on the woman's finger.

She offered a polite, puzzled smile. "Hi... and you are?"

The woman laughed, a little embarrassed. "Oh, right, your memory. I'm Reese- Lester's sister. We used to be really close before, but I guess you don't remember. I've been wanting to visit, but my brother here wasn't having it."

Lester rolled his eyes. "She's here to recover, not to party. Besides, aren't you drowning in wedding planning?"

Reese groaned dramatically. "Don't even get me started. Who knew getting married meant drowning in checklists and seating charts? Thank God Mr. Rupert has been helping, or I'd have lost my mind by now. Though, sometimes I wonder if he's got an ulterior motive..."

She sounded like she was complaining, but the happiness in her eyes gave her

away.

Sylvia couldn't help but smile, feeling a strange sense of relief as she replied, "I've heard a lot about you. My mom always said the nicest things. And congrats on your wedding!"

behind her hand. "You're making me

grinned. “No need to be embarrassed. You really

in the

getting out today, there's no need to fuss," Sylvia said as she kept packing, steering the conversation away

getting discharged today, too. He caught a nasty flu, kept running a fever that wouldn't break. He's finally better, so I thought I'd pick him up and swing by

suddenly

and found

Why are you

"Mr.

Mr. Rupert from the

know him? I might hand

but I'm not

laugh was so easy and natural that everyone

wanted to say something else, but Lester

in, "Yeah, let's

for her bag, but Lester beat her

"Thanks," she said.

a little, lowering his voice. "If you really want to thank me, maybe

was hinting at. A guy like Lester didn't need a free

so after a second, she said, "Are you free tonight? Let