Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

The bitter chill swept through the long avenue, January winds cutting sharp along the frozen streets of Kingstoria.

Even in this lively city, winter wrapped everything in a quiet, somber hush.

Sylvia stepped out of the yellow cab, fumbling with her bags as she pulled up the collar of her oversized wool sweater to shield half her face from the biting cold.

As she turned, she caught sight of the Garcia Manor's front gates, decked out in twinkling lights and festive ribbons-strange for this time of year.

It wasn't Christmas, so what was the big occasion?

Sylvia waved to the security guy at the gate and hurried inside.

Naomi was on the porch, bossing the staff around as usual.

"Mom."

"Sylvia, you're here! What's that? You wrapped it up so pretty."

Naomi reached for the bag, but Sylvia tucked it behind her back. “Nothing, just something I grabbed on the way. What's with all the decorations today?"

Naomi only answered once the staff finished sweeping the last of the fallen leaves. She linked arms with Sylvia and led her toward the dining room.

"Tristan's got some guests coming over. Asked me to make it special. I guess my hard days are finally paying off. See those flowers I picked out? Aren't they gorgeous?"

Sylvia glanced out the window. The arrangements were stunning, each bloom carefully chosen and arranged. The beauty of it all was almost blinding.noveldrama

She forced a smile. "They're lovely."

In the dining room, the staff lined up to show Naomi the appetizers-platters of cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit for her approval.

Naomi surveyed everything with the air of a queen. Sylvia played along; after all, this was the first time her mother had been in charge in this house.

Just as they were laughing, footsteps echoed from the hall.

"Mr. Rupert."

He was here.

Sylvia stood, subconsciously tightening her grip on her bag. With the room empty, maybe this was her chance to give it to him-better now than sneaking around later.

She was about to step forward when Tristan's warm voice rang out from the entry. "Reese, you made it! Looks like Rupert's been taking good care of you."

"Thank you. Mr. Rupert was kind enough to pick me up."

A woman's gentle voice floated over from a few steps away-soft, sincere, and somehow oddly familiar to Sylvia.

But in her memory, there was no one Tristan would speak to that kindly.

Then the woman appeared, rolling in beside Rupert in a motorized wheelchair. She wore a creamy white cashmere dress that draped over her legs, looking as delicate as whipped cream on a freshly baked pie. sŵnovel

She reminded Sylvia of the fresh bouquets Naomi had set out-pretty and impossible not to want to protect.

Most surprising of all, she was holding Rupert's hand.

Sylvia stared at their interlaced fingers, stunned, until she noticed the woman smiling right at her.

"And this is...?"

Tristan's gaze flicked to Sylvia, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Edwin's... stepdaughter."

For a second, Sylvia thought this woman must be one of the Garcia family's older relatives, like Rupert.

She quickly smiled. "Hi, I'm Sylvia."

"Oh! You're the one from the hospital restroom, right? I recognized your voice." The woman's face lit uplas she grabbed Sylvia's hand. "Thank you so much. I'm Reese Sanford."

"Oh, it was nothing. I meant to pay you back for—”

"No need. Give it to him." Reese nudged Rupert's arm. Even from her wheelchair, her laughter was bright and easy. "Let's call it even for thật coffee you owed me. How come you never told me you had such a beautiful niece? I should've brought a gift."

"No worries," Sylvia muttered.

Rupert didn't look at Sylvia, just gave Reese a soft smile.

Sylvia wasn't naive-she realized instantly that Reese wasn't some distant Garcia relative.

And she'd never seen Rupert look so relaxed with any woman before.

Suddenly, Sylvia couldn't find her words. She just quietly slid her bag a little

further behind her back, trying to make herself invisible.