Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia could barely take it anymore. The pain was so intense, she felt like something was crawling under her skin. Rupert held her tightly, his strong arms wrapped around her, keeping her from squirming away.

"Stay still. Do you want to lose your hand?" His voice was low and firm, and the warmth of his breath against her ear left no room for argument.

The thought of her injured hand made Sylvia stop struggling. Ever since leaving the Garcia Manor, the wound on her hand had been throbbing painfully. She hadn't even registered a word Naomi said to her.

Rupert retrieved a bottle of saline solution from the first aid kit. "Brace yourself," he murmured.

Before Sylvia could process his words, Rupert began to rinse the wound. The sharp sting made her scalp tingle, and her fingers tremble.

It felt like something was wriggling beneath her flesh.

Unable to bear it, she tried to pull away, but Rupert's grip tightened.

Then, she felt a strange sensation around the wound.

Looking down, Sylvia saw Rupert not only cleaning her wound but also gently caressing the skin around it to ease her pain.

She blinked in surprise.

After a moment, the blood and debris were washed away, but a small shard was embedded deeply.

Just as she was about to suggest handling it herself, Rupert opened another bottle of saline and rinsed his own injured hand.

Blood seeped through the bandage on his palm, but he merely wiped it away, then retrieved a pair of sterilized tweezers from the kit.

Sylvia was taken aback. How could he be so unfazed?

"Close your eyes," Rupert instructed, his face expressionless.

"Why?" Sylvia asked, snapping out of her daze.

"Aren't you afraid of pain?"

"I'm not a kid, I'm not af-ow, that hurts."

Sylvia winced, her face paling, instinctively trying to pull her hand back.

Rupert glanced up, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Not afraid, huh?"

Sylvia bit her lip, realizing she couldn't bluff her way out of this.

As Rupert raised the tweezers, she couldn't help but frown. Suddenly, a large hand gently pressed her face into his shoulder.

All she could smell was his scent,noveldrama

er mind blank for a few

at his

rendering her mind blank for a feet seconds as she stole a glance profile.

The warm light from the car's interior lamp cast a soft glow on his chiseled features.

But even bathed in such warmth, Sylvia couldn't fathom the depths of his inscrutable eyes.

What did he want?

He was the one who used her.

He was the one who publicly distanced himself from her.

And he was the one who wouldn't let her leave.

Thinking of everything that had happened, a wave of pain and suffocation crashed over her, leaving her defenseless.

In that moment, Sylvia seized the chance to pull her hand back, the unfastened bandage falling loose instantly.

"It wasn't tied properly," Rupert said, surprisingly patient.

"I can handle it myself. No need to trouble you, Uncle Rupert. My issues are none of your concern."

Sylvia haphazardly tied a knot, trying to shift away.

Bet

But as soon as she spoke, the temperature inside the car seemed to plummet. Her damp clothes lung to her, heavy and cold, sending a chill down her spine.

Before she could move, Rupert's hands were at her waist, spinning her and

pinning her against the car door.

Sylvia looked up, meeting his gaze.

His dark eyes were as calm and mysterious as a midnight sky, the light within them sending shivers W her spine. They bore into her, as if trying to see into her very soul.

"Did I say something wrong? Who he wants to love has nothing to do with me. But you..."