Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia's eyes went wide as she glanced at the man beside her, blurting out, "He's my Uncle Rupert. Distant relative."

"Distant or not, family's family! Mr. Rupert, you're actually... Uncle Rupert?"

Ms. Ward nearly dropped the plate of pierogi in her hands.

Sylvia quickly reached out and took the plate. "Yeah, he was just passing by. He's leaving now."

As she spoke, she nudged Rupert with her elbow, hinting for him to get moving.

But Rupert stayed put, steady as a rock, his eyes dropping to the plate of pierogi.noveldrama

Ms. Ward, ever sharp, asked carefully, "Would you like some, Mr. Rupert? I made plenty."

Sylvia jumped in before he could answer. "He's good! He already ate with someone else. I'll eat with you."

Rupert's eyes flicked over to Sylvia, voice calm. "You didn't eat with anyone else?"

The room fell silent, awkwardly so.

Ms. Ward glanced between them. Uncle and niece, right? Then why did this sound like a squabble between kids?

Sensing the tension, Ms. Ward clapped her hands. "Let's just eat together. You two go sit, I'll boil up a few more."

Before Sylvia could protest, Ms. Ward had already disappeared into the kitchen.

Sylvia shot Rupert a glare fit to kill.

He didn't seem bothered, removing his shoes politely at the door, hanging his coat on Sylvia's rack like he'd done it a hundred times.

A few minutes later, Ms. Ward returned with two steaming plates of pierogi, setting them down on the table.

Rupert nodded a thank you and gestured for Ms. Ward to join them.

Without hesitation, Ms. Ward sat next to Sylvia, sharing a plate with her.

Sylvia had already eaten dinner and wasn't hungry. She gnawed on her fork, watching Rupert dig in across the table.

How could he still be eating?

Ms. Ward had barely finished her second pierogi before she started chatting. "You know, the Garcia family really does turn out handsome men."

"Sylvia, if you hadn't said anything, I'd have thought your big brother giving you a ride home was your boyfriend. He's so sweet and attentive-way better than the last boyfriend you brought home...”

Seriously, could she pick a worse moment?

Sylvia stuffed a pierogi into Ms. Ward's mouth. "Ms. Ward, less talk, more eating."

Ms. Ward chewed, then, with the air

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of an experienced woman, said, "Sylvia, I mean well. That boyfriend of yours is unreliable. Dropped you off once, and now that you're working late, he's nowhere to be seen. Doesn't care at all. Ask your Uncle Rupert-can you really count on a man like that?"

Across the table, Rupert's expression grew stormier by the second.

Sylvia rubbed her temples and muttered, "Why don't you just ask him yourself?"

Ms. Ward, never shy, turned to

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Rupert. "Don't you think so, Mr. Rupert? Sylvia's beautiful and could have any boyfriend she wants. She needs someone gentle and charming-like her big brother here..."

"Ms. Ward!" Sylvia cut in sharply, "Eat before the pierogi get cold."

Ms. Ward mumbled an "okay," dipping a pierogi in vinegar. Only after biting in did

she realize she hadn't given any vinegar to Rupert or Sylvia.

"Oh, my memory! Here, let me pour you both some."

She set little dishes of vinegar in front of Rupert. "Mr. Rupert, try the vinegar. It's homemade, brought all the way from my hometown. Really special-you just have to get used to it."

Rupert's face darkened even more as he stared at the vinegar.

Sylvia couldn't help but crack a smile-something about the way Ms. Ward said it was just too funny.

But when she looked up, she met Rupert's deep, intense gaze.

His eyes were like vines, curling around her, dangerous and unyielding.

Sylvia coughed lightly, quickly reaching to take the vinegar dish from Ms. Ward.