Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia had considered dozens of scenarios, even suspecting Bridget might want her help in getting an abortion, thus making her the villain for ages. But never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Bridget pushing her into the chilly lake that autumn.

The Garcia family's man-made lake was deep, and Sylvia was immediately engulfed by the bone-chilling water.

She struggled desperately, "Hel-"

As soon as she opened her mouth, water rushed in, preventing her from uttering a complete sentence.

Sylvia thought it was the end for her until Bridget suddenly started screaming for help.

""Help! Sylvia's fallen into the lake!"

Bridget's cries drew a crowd.

But by then, Sylvia, weighed down by her waterlogged coat, was barely struggling, her body sinking deeper.

Suddenly, a figure plunged into the water and forcefully hauled her to shore.

Sylvia coughed up water, dazedly looking at the man holding her.noveldrama

It was Rupert.

His head bowed, water dripping from his hair, his eyes fixated on her, tinged with crimson.

"Sylvia, Sylvia."

He had never called her like that before.

""It hurts."

Sylvia, clutching her abdomen, looked down.

Her beige knit dress now sported a faint bloodstain.

Great! Her period had started!

Sylvia, who rarely experienced menstrual cramps, passed out from the pain.

When Sylvia woke up again, the pain in her abdomen had lessened.

But the sight of Rupert sitting by the bed still startled her.

His expression was cold, his dark eyes emotionless as he said softly, "You're not pregnant."

Sylvia nodded, "I told you I couldn't be carrying your child."

Rupert's fingers twitched on his

knee as he spoke in a deep voice et

"Since there's nothing wrong,

no need to blame Bridget.ere's

She said it

was an accident."

"What did you say!"

Sylvia's voice suddenly sharp, like a burst balloon, trembling as it deflated.

Rupert didn't look at her, standing up without a word.

"I've said what needed to be said. Don't spread rumors."

"What are you talking about! Do you really think it was an accident? What if I had been pregnant? Would you just let it go like this?"

Sylvia's hands trembled uncontrollably, gripping the blanket to steady herself, her eyes filled with sorrow and hatred as she stared at him.

Rupert, wrapped in a black coat, created a stark contrast against the white wall behind him, looking ominously like a ghost.

"It was an accident, and there are no what-ifs."

Sylvia, pale and stiff in bed, didn't even notice when Rupert left.

The healing scars on her heart tore open once more, the pain almost as intense as when she lost Stella in her past life.

"It's okay, it won't happen again, there won't be a next time..."

She consoled herself hoarsely, but tears fell uncontrollably. Click.

The door opened, and Bridget walked in with a smile.

"Crying? Did Rupert break up with you?"

Sylvia took a deep breath, looking up at the triumphant Bridget, "So what?"

Bridget stood at the foot of the bed clicking her tongue, "If I had known you weren't pregnant, I wouldn't have wasted my time. But... how did the icy lake water taste?"

"I might not be pregnant, but you and Rupert have been together for so long, why can't you conceive? Tristan lost his eldest son years ago and craves a large family the most. You've been unable to conceive for over three years, do you need to visit a fertility clinic? Is it your issue or Rupert's? If there's something unspeakable, you must speak up. Otherwise, without a child, Tristan won't welcome you into the family."

Sylvia deliberately let her gaze linger on Bridget's abdomen.

She wasn't wrong about Tristan's desires; his disdain for Naomi had another reason.