Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 454

When Rupert heard the word "fire," he froze again.

He couldn't help but remember the little girl in his dreams, her clear dislike for him.

Every night, his dreams ended the same way: the little girl running into the flames, holding the hand of a woman whose face he could never quite see. They would share a look, a gentle smile, and then vanish from his dream, leaving him with nothing but the echo of their absence.

While Rupert stood lost in thought, Sylvia managed to slip from his grasp and put a few steps between them.

There was anger in her voice, but a touch of pleading too. "Uncle Rupert, I know I can’t win against you. But I’m still a person. Haven’t you and your son humiliated me enough? Do you really need the whole world to point at me and call me trash before you’re satisfied?"

She didn’t wait for him to respond. Turning on her heel, she walked away.

Rupert reached out, but only caught the coat draped over her shoulders. Sylvia didn’t even slow down—she shrugged off the coat and disappeared into the snowy night without a backward glance.

Snow gathered on Rupert’s shoulders as Orson hurried over, holding an umbrella above him.

“Mr. Rupert, if you keep Ms. Lloyd hidden here, and Tristan finds out... I’m afraid—”

"Tristan always keeps a card up his sleeve," Rupert muttered, lighting a cigarette. The swirling smoke masked the storm in his eyes.

“A card?” Orson asked, confused.

“Cutting out the problem at the root,” Rupert replied, voice cold.

He looked at the house, following the line Sylvia had pointed to earlier, and a vivid image played out in his mind.

Finally, Rupert’s gaze settled on the small garden out back. For a moment, he almost saw two of the most important people in his life standing there.

He crushed out his cigarette, his voice low and distant. "Sylvia doesn’t get to just walk away from this."

Orson saw the obsession in Rupert’s eyes and, for a moment, didn’t know what to say.

***

Sylvia stumbled home, numb and exhausted. She was startled when the door swung open as soon as she touched the handle.

“You’re back!” Ms. Ward exclaimed, ushering her inside. “You’re still recovering, your face is as white as a sheet. I made some chili stew; come eat while it’s still hot.”

“Thank you,” Sylvia managed, realizing she didn’t want to be alone tonight. Her thoughts were too heavy.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify