Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia's heart skipped a beat when she spotted a familiar silhouette.

Bridget.

Even bundled up against the chill, that silhouette haunted Sylvia through lifetimes. How could she ever forget?

But what was Bridget doing at the gynecology department?

"Sylvia, are you alright?" Fiona called out from ahead.

"Yeah, I'm coming."

Rushing to catch up, Sylvia looked back only to find Bridget had disappeared.

Fiona gestured towards a staircase, "Just up here."

Sylvia nodded, her mind elsewhere as she followed Fiona upstairs.

Could Bridget have been taking a shortcut through the gynecology department?

Once upstairs, Sylvia helped Fiona find a seat in the waiting area. The clinic's specialist was a friend of Fiona's, someone she deeply trusted.

Rather than seeking out a private clinic, Fiona preferred to wait for her trusted specialist.

Sylvia understood. The wealthy always had their trusted doctors, hesitant to share their personal health information with just anybody. Rupert was the same, entrusting all his medical appointments to Chris, never venturing to see another doctor.

Ugh!

Why was she thinking about him again?

Yet, thoughts of Rupert brought back the image of Bridget sneaking around.

While pondering, Fiona mentioned she was thirsty.

"Shoot, I forgot to bring water up," she said, rummaging through her bag.

"I'll get you some," Sylvia offered, standing.

"Thanks, it'll be a bit of a wait anyway. Don't rush on my account. And grab something for yourself if you're hungry. You look like you've lost weight again, no wonder your mom's always asking you over for dinner." Fiona's gentle concern warmed Sylvia's heart, prompting a smile as she headed out for water.

A nurse mentioned a vending machine downstairs, so Sylvia made her way back to the gynecology department by chance.

There, she saw Bridget with a piece of paper, hurrying into an examination room.

Curiosity piqued, Sylvia followed.

Perhaps because it was nearing lunch, the waiting area was less crowded, allowing Sylvia to stand unnoticed outside the room. "Congratulations, you're pregnant," she overheard, her heart tightening.

The inevitable had happened.

Despite changing many of her life's choices, that child was still on its way.noveldrama

Once born, Rupert would undoubtedly side with Bridget and the child, regardless of the circumstances.

At least in this life, her Stella wouldn't suffer.

Sylvia instinctively touched her belly, a bitter sweetness spreading within her.

Then, Bridget's voice emerged from the room.

"Terminate it."

"Are you sure?" the doctor hesitated.

"Yes, please arrange the procedure as soon as possible. And... this is for you," Bridget said, pushing a thick envelope towards the doctor"Was I here today?"

Glancing at the envelope, clearly containing a significant amount, the doctor bit his lip and corrected himself, "No, you were here for an irregular period. Let me prescribe something to regulate it."

"Thank you, doctor." Bridget's voice held a faint smile.

The doctor quickly altered the

medical record from 'early

Ve

pregnancy' to 'irregular period,' then discreetly prepared a prescription under a different name.

"I've prescribed medication under a different name. You can pick it up at the counter, leaving no record of this visit." "Understood."

As Bridget approached the exit, Sylvia, jarred back to reality by the sound of approaching footsteps, ducked into a nearby room.

The doctor inside, noticing her sudden entrance, adjusted his glasses and gave her a puzzled look.

"Mandy? Running around like this while pregnant? I've been calling your name for ages."