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."

curious-since you don't seem to like me at all, why'd you agree to marry me just because

looming over her, eyes dropping down. "Guess

to the parking lot with

words echoing in her ears. The night air suddenly turned cold, sending

her coat tighter and started looking for a

few steps when a car rolled up beside her. The window slid down halfway, revealing

"Get in."

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

"What? You dying to know how my

matchmaking dinner went? It

you to the wedding next week,

act," Rupert

what, you're an actor now, Mr. Rupert?"

her path, she spun off into the pedestrian

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

she could react, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a narrow

building was tangled

age worn into

to yankh her free, but

and dangerous,

low and tense. "Talk. I've got