Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia could tell Chris had seen right through her, so she didn't bother pretending. "What's going on with him? Is this about what happened with Yves last time?"

Chris frowned, unsure where to even begin.

After the Yves incident, Sylvia had grown totally averse to Rupert.

Rupert, for his part, looked calm on the outside, but every bit of his turmoil showed itself in how slowly he was recovering.

He was in a dark place.

It got so bad he had to get a minor spinal procedure, and he's still in recovery- walking with a cane.

Chris opened his mouth, but then remembered Rupert's warning.

Don't tell Sylvia.

From the day he'd met Rupert, Chris knew the guy was cold and obsessive. Rupert was convinced Sylvia belonged to him, and he'd keep her through business logic and sheer force, never warmth.

Sylvia, on the other hand, was stubborn and conflicted.

The person she cared about, and the person she tried hardest to ignore, were one and the same-Rupert.

Her biggest pain was that her head and her heart just couldn't line up.

Watching them, Chris sometimes wondered if things would've been better if, back then, Sylvia had owned up to that night, admitted she was the woman, and just married Rupert while everyone was still talking about it.

But after all that had happened, he realized a forced marriage-unaccepted by both-would never end well, no matter how hard Rupert tried to hold on.

In an ordinary family,

and Rupert stood together, everyone called them a

Well.

for the best if they

Even Chris thought so.

snapping him

accident -hurt his back. He's recovering, can't put too much strain on

what he meant by "work just

mom calls me that. Watch it," Chris snapped,

got time to joke, he must really be fine. I'll get going.

elhet

turned to

Bottle

Sylvia

belongs to s

the wine, finally asking

so concerned-are you worried

voice cool. "I just don't want to owe him

back, "So what about him risking his life racing to save you?

was he really trying to save? Do I have to spell it out? He covered for Kay because of Reese. He used me to catch ves, afraid xves would lose control and hurt Reese. To this day, Reese doesn't even know Yves hurt those other women because of her. Everyone's

as if she'd already accepted the

Chris noticed her hands, hidden

Ms. Sanford..." Chris started, but the words died

e-invite, right? Reese wanted me to help