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.

to be something she was

since the accident, and now

"Try to get some

"Alright."

curled up on her stomach instead. As her cheek hit

"Edwin? What is it?"

blame

want to talk about

putting a hard

and left the

off. In her dreams, she was back in

mom and Edwin died in

not true! I just talked to my mom yesterday-there's no way

tell your mom

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

mom and Edwin went out

to

you. That's when the

When

calmly told

on for Naomi

felt nothing

desperate

arms. "It was Bridget! It had to be