Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 369

At that moment, footsteps echoed in the hallway. Sylvia snapped out of her thoughts, quickly lay back, and shut her eyes tight.

A few seconds later, she felt a heavy gaze fall on her.

He stood there for a while, just watching. Sylvia kept still, pretending to sleep, until something warm and damp pressed gently against her cheek—a washcloth. She flinched, startled to realize he was cleaning her face.

When he finished, he took her hand, opening her palm. As the cloth ran over her fingers, her hand trembled.

Rupert looked down at Sylvia’s reddened palm. He let out a sharp sigh, half frustrated, half amused.

He flicked his gaze toward her, still lying there, pretending to be asleep. His voice was low and gruff. “You didn’t make a peep when you got hurt, but you sure know how to act like it stings now.”

Busted, Sylvia yanked her hand back and rolled over, squeezing her eyes shut again.

Rupert tossed the washcloth onto the headboard and settled onto the edge of the bed.

“When did you get so hard to please, huh?”

“Playing deaf now?”

Sylvia’s head was pounding—she just didn’t have the energy to argue.

Suddenly, she felt the bed dip behind her. Before she could react, Rupert pulled her over, turning her to face him.

She lifted her eyes, meeting his. Her lashes were damp, her gaze shimmering with tears she stubbornly refused to let fall.

She didn’t say a word, but her hurt and resentment were written all over her face.

Rupert’s expression darkened. He lingered a moment, then said coolly, “There’s water on the nightstand.”

He stood up and left the room.

Sylvia stared at the glass of water, her throat tight and raw, like there was a stone lodged inside.

Rupert spent the night on the living room couch, the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts by morning.

...

At dawn, Sylvia was woken by a text from Eloise, apologizing.

“Sylvia, sorry about last night. You had a little too much too, right? Get some rest this morning, okay? See you this afternoon.”

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