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.

her face and started to

in surprise.

Reese. You're just...

not know anything, to be loved and

bed, reassuring her. "Alright, don't overthink it. Try to

she was about to leave, Sylvia reached out and grabbed her

the rumors, okay? Just focus

guys worry way more

still smiling, and left

heavy burden had finally been lifted, drifted

after Rupert and followed him back to the hospital

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

quick. He rushed forward, catching Rupert and helping him onto

time he straightened up, his white

fix it. Instead, he yanked Rupert's shirt open to check the wounds-split open again, healing

to bring supplies and meds,

just stood up and said Kay was behind all this,

to explain? That house where she was kept-there were Hanson family bodyguards everywhere. Orson went through hell to get you in, and you almost got yourself killed, got stabbed threw yourself into the ocean and

Look at Mr. Sanford

caught in

man was ghostly pale, sweat beading and dripping from his lashes, pooling on