Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Fiona met Warren's questioning gaze, lips pressed tight, then grabbed his hand,

holding on as if she'd never let go.

"Warren! They're just trying to tear us apart, you know that, right? You're my son!

Why would I ever hurt you?"

Her words eased some of the doubt in Warren's eyes. But Patrick wasn't about to

let them walk away without the truth coming out.

"I used to think a mother could never hurt her own child, but I was wrong. Fiona,

you would throw your own son under the bus for that good-for-nothing brother of

yours!"

"That's a lie! I never did such a thing! I've been the one looking after Warren all

these years—you have no right to judge me!" Fiona snapped, practically dragging

Warren toward the door. "Come on, Warren, we don't need to stay here. Let's go."

Just as they turned to leave, Rupert stepped forward, blocking their way.

"Warren, you've hated me for years. Don't you want to know the truth about the

accident?"

"Don't listen to him, Warren! Let's just get out of here!" Fiona's voice was frantic

now as she tried to pull Warren away.

But Warren wasn't a fool—he could sense something was off.

"Mom, what are you afraid of? All these years, you've sworn Uncle Rupert killed

Dad to take over the family, but Dad just said Rupert had nothing to do with it.

What really happened back then?"

"I don't know. Your dad died, Rupert was named the heir—it's only natural people

would think that!" Fiona tried to shrug it off.

Rupert's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? Then tell me, what happened to Hilbert that

night?"

At the mention of his uncle, Fiona's face went rigid.

Warren pressed, "Mom, what happened to Uncle Hilbert?"

Fiona let go of his hand, turning away in silence.

"She'll never tell you," Patrick said, stepping forward. "Because the one who hit

me with the car... was Hilbert."

Warren stared at Patrick in disbelief. "No way! Uncle Hilbert knew I was in the

car!"

"Exactly. Do you really think I'd set something up that would put you in danger? I

didn't even have a chance to go through with my own plan."

Patrick shot a furious look at Fiona, who stood frozen, lips trembling, saying

nothing.

"Still won't admit it? Fine, I'll spell it

out. Back then, Hilbert was drowning

in gambling debts. You two cornered

me, begged me to bail him out. I

refused. On my way home, Hilbert

tried to run me off the road to scare

me into helping. After the crash, you

destroyed the evidence and pinned it

all on Rupert."

Patrick advanced on Fiona, his words cutting through the room.

Under everyone's eyes, Fiona finally broke, her voice cracking.

"Yes! I destroyed the evidence! He's

my brother the only real family I

have left in the world! What else was

I supposed to do? We begged you

for help—what more did you want?

You were my husband, wasn't it right

for you to help him?"

"I did help you! After our families

merged, I bailed out you and your

useless brother more times than I

can count!" Patrick's voice shook

now, gesturing to Warren. "But

Warren—he's your son! If you'd

spent less time covering things upnoveldrama

and more time getting him to a

hospital, he wouldn't have suffered

like this!"

Fiona shot back, her words slipping out before she could think. "He's my son! I

can do whatever I want with him!"

As soon as she heard herself, her face fell. She reached for Warren, desperate to

make things right, but he pulled away. His frail body stumbled into a marble pillar.

"All of it... was a lie? What have I been fighting for? Why did you lie to me?"

"Warren, I'm your mother, I did it all for you! After your dad disappeared, if your

uncle went down too, who would protect us?" Fiona's tears spilled over, her sobs

laced with heartbreak.

Her pain tugged at everyone's heartstrings. After all, she and Warren had only

had each other for years.

But Sylvia stepped forward, voice steady, cutting through the pity.

"No, Warren. She didn't do it for you."