Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Any woman would have been moved by Lester's words.

But Sylvia didn't want to let herself be swayed so easily.

She smiled and shook her head. "Mr. Sanford, you really don't have to say things like that. With your background, you'll find someone more suitable."

"Shouldn't I be the one to decide who's suitable for me?" Lester replied, his tone serious.

Sylvia met his gaze and, for a moment, didn't know what to say.

He softened. “Alright, I won't push. You've had a long day—get some rest.” He pointed at one of the files on the table. "That school looks promising."

Sylvia glanced down and couldn't help but let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. "Mr. Sanford, I know the Sanford family has branches all over this country."

Lester grinned. "See? You know me better than you think."

He always owned up to his little schemes so openly, never hiding his true intentions.

It was something Sylvia had never experienced before-such straightforward honesty.

As a child, growing up without a father, people had whispered, speculated she was illegitimate. She could never defend herself, so whenever anyone asked about her dad, she'd dodge the question, embarrassed and uncertain.

She was always afraid Naomi would be hurt, and she didn't want others to look at her daughter differently.

Later, when she married Rupert, there was no wedding, no vows, not even a simple gold band. She was kept away from the world, tucked away in a big house with her daughter, as if she was meant to live in the shadows.

Her whole life, it seemed, she was only ever allowed to exist on the margins.

she still caught herself wanting

looked at Lester and managed a

just nodded and

at the papers in her hands, feeling a swirl

later, she heard someone fiddling with the

had forgotten something and come

up to answer, she

it was Lester, he'd just knock. Why was someone trying to

Unless...

through the peephole—and

Rupert.

key, God

changed the locks

jiggle, she took a deep breath and called out, "That's

a

your hand?" Rupert's voice was low, almost a

a second, glancing down at the burn mark on the back of her hand.

hadn't expected

laugh, her arm dropping limply to her side. "Don't worry

to me like that?"

you expect, Mr. Rupert? Why would I have any reason to

can't talk to me, but you can chat with

the door, she could hear the rough edge in