Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

After dinner, Sylvia stood up, ready to leave, but Reese gently slipped her arm through Sylvia's.

"Sylvia, why are you suddenly marrying Yves? I thought you and my brother..."

"No, you got it wrong," Sylvia cut her off, not wanting Lester dragged into this

mess.

Reese looked around, then pulled Sylvia aside, lowering her voice. "Look, Yves is a decent guy, but his mom? Not so much. You can't just look at the man-you need to check out the whole family. You should think this through. I mean, you could do way better-someone like my brother or even Mr. Rupert. You're not exactly lacking in options, you know?"

Sylvia felt a sharp pang inside.

Sometimes, she wished Reese would just flaunt her perfect life, give Sylvia a reason to hate her or at least keep her distance. But Reese's confidence, her ease, just highlighted how out of place Sylvia truly was.

Kids who grow up wrapped in love-they get praised even if their petals are a little uneven. What others call "showing off" is just Reese's normal.

Sylvia pressed her lips together, swallowed the bitterness, and forced a calm smile, nodding.

She couldn't even remember what Reese said next.

After they said goodbye, Yves called out to her.

"Sylvia, I've looked into everything about you. Just behave yourself and get ready to marry me I'll treat you right."

to like me

stepped closer, his shadow looming over her, eyes

and walked off to the parking lot with Mrs.

The night air suddenly turned cold, sending a shiver

tighter and started looking for

a car rolled up beside her. The window slid down halfway, revealing the sharp, chiselled lines of a man's

"Get in."

him a look and kept walking. The car slowed to match her

dying to know how

matchmaking dinner went? It

invite you to

act," Rupert said, eyes

now, Mr. Rupert?" she

path, she

she'd lost him. No such luck-he got out and caught up in a

could react, he grabbed her wrist and pulled

old brick building was

age worn

yankh her free, but Rupert pinned her

dangerous, his handsome face

stared her down, voice low and tense. "Talk. I've got all night if