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.

family, the Garcias

Sanford heiress. When she and Rupert stood

Well.

was for the best

Even Chris thought so.

softly, snapping him

a bad accident -hurt his back. He's recovering, can't put too much strain on it, but, uh... don't

he meant by "work just fine." She shot him

me that. Watch it,"

must really be fine. I'll get

elhet

turned

Bottle

Sylvia handed

belongs to s

called after her, clutching the wine, finally asking

suddenly so concerned-are you worried about

voice cool. "I just don't

"So what about him risking his life racing to save

was quiet, but steady. "Who 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

spoke softly, as if she'd already

hands, hidden in her sleeves,

because Ms. Sanford..." Chris started, but the words died in his

Reese wanted me to