Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

He whispered the words again, heading straight for the door.

Maybe it was Sylvia's imagination, but the usual icy, pine-like chill that clung to him was now masked by a heavy scent of antiseptic and medicine.

When she turned, he was already gone.

Chris snapped back to reality, a little anxious. "I'm going to check on him."

That left only Reese and Sylvia in the room.

Reese didn't press for details; she just helped Sylvia sit down. "Sylvia, I'm sorry. My aunt can be kind of stubborn. I think Mr. Rupert only tolerates her because of me. Let me apologize on their behalf."

Sylvia looked at Reese, at a loss for words.

It took a while before she finally asked, "Reese, about Yves..."

"I had no idea Yves was like that behind the scenes. He hurt so many women-he deserves to answer to the law. You were amazing, but you took such a big risk."

Reese's voice was passionate, even a little naive.

Sylvia only had to think for a second to understand where that innocence came from.

Rupert had never told Reese how twisted Yves's obsession with her had become. He just let her take the fall.

What a joke.

face and

blinked in surprise. "Sylvia, what's so

You're

anything, to be

gently eased Sylvia back onto the bed, reassuring her. "Alright, don't

was about to leave, Sylvia reached out and grabbed

believe the rumors, okay? Just focus

"You guys worry way

Sylvia in, still smiling,

finally been lifted, drifted off to sleep,

Rupert and followed

opened the door, he saw Rupert's tall frame-six-foot-three- collapse heavily to

catching Rupert and helping him onto

straightened up, his white coat

even bother to fix it. Instead, he yanked Rupert's shirt

nurse to bring supplies and meds, tending to the

stood up and said Kay was behind all this, she wouldn't. have gone so far with her

yourself killed, got stabbed threw yourself into the ocean and wrecked your spine. Then Kay and Tristan go looking for her, and you just have to tag along

why not just say it? Look at Mr. Sanford he might as well tattoo 'I love you' on

the words caught in

ghostly pale, sweat beading and dripping from