Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 702

Preparing for a baby?

Sylvia's hand stiffened around her teacup.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Reese glancing her way.

"Yes, we just got married, and my husband adores children. He said he wants a daddy's little girl first. We've even picked out a name."

"Rupert is certainly eager, already picking out names. What is it?" Kay asked.

"Stella," Reese said softly.

Clang. Sylvia slammed her teacup down onto the saucer.

"What did you say?" Her voice shook with a lethal tremor.

"Stella. It's the name Rupert specifically chose." Reese heavily emphasized the word 'specifically'.

A suffocating wave of fury ignited inside Sylvia.

That was her daughter's name!

What right did Rupert have to give it to someone else?!

Watching Sylvia lose her composure, Kay offered a smug little smirk. "Oh my, what's wrong, Ms. Lloyd? We were just discussing your mother and Reese having babies, but you're reacting as if you're the one in the delivery room."

Sylvia snapped back to reality, realizing every woman at the table was staring at her as if she were unhinged.

She tightened her fists until her knuckles turned white, then forced a blank expression as she grabbed a napkin to wipe the spilled tea.

"It slipped."

Kay sneered, her tone dismissive. "Naomi really should take better care of herself. She's not exactly in her prime, after all. If she can't conceive, there's no need to force it. At least a pretty face guarantees a comfortable life. It would be a shame to exhaust herself and end up with nothing. Though... I suppose there is an endless line of younger women eager to give Mr. Edwin a child."

"Exactly. Men are notoriously fickle. You can dress as young as you want, but age always catches up. Only a son secures your place in the family," Mrs. Yardley chimed in, cooing at the baby in her arms.

Naomi choked on her words.

It was painfully obvious that Kay was insulting her, implying she had climbed the social ladder using her looks instead of family backing.

But she had never been good at verbal sparring, so she merely gripped her teacup in miserable silence.

Seeing this, Sylvia tossed the damp napkin onto the table.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify