Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia stared at his face, and couldn't help but think of the mysterious man at Kay's wedding in her previous life.

They looked so much alike.

But back then, Edwin and Naomi were already gone-she'd arranged the whole funeral herself.

Their deaths had left her bedridden for two weeks.

She remembered how she couldn't lean back against anything without pain, and Edwin, worried she'd catch a chill, had sent his assistant out to buy her a lightweight down jacket-something warm but not too bulky.

"Come on, put it on," he'd said. "Your mom sees you like this and she'll end up crying in secret again."

Edwin never went long without mentioning Naomi.

Sylvia felt touched, but she also struggled with the secret she kept about Naomi's fate.

Pressing her lips together, she finally asked, "Was what Ms. Winslet said true? You let yourself be overlooked because of my mom?"

Edwin paused, mid-way through helping her with her sleeve, and gave her a gentle, easy smile. "What are you thinking? I'm just not that talented-that's why I'm not the favorite. The Garcias have Rupert, that's more than enough. Honestly, I like this quiet life with your mom."

"Even if she's... not perfect?"

"Your mom? She's got her quirks, sure, but she's been really good to me. Don't let Kay twist your thinking. With or without your mom, Kay and I were never going to happen," Edwin said, his tone final.

Sylvia's fingers tightened, but she didn't push the matter.

Edwin had no reason to lie-if he'd wanted to be with Kay, he could've just divorced Naomi and done it openly. Naomi and Sylvia were on their own; they didn't have the power to stop him.

be something

accident, and now with Naomi's troubles, she felt

to get some

"Alright."

her back, so she curled up on her stomach

"Edwin? What is it?"

don't blame

don't want to talk about strangers. I'm going to

putting a hard stop to

left

drifted off. In her dreams, she

died in the

not true! I just talked to my

your mom Bridget

didn't hurt Bridget or your son! Am I not

Edwin went

pouring rain to

That's when the accident happened."

When

calmly told

on for

Sylvia felt nothing

desperate

"It was Bridget! It had to be