Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 82

In the hospital.

Sylvia awoke to pitch darkness, her heart pounding with fear. She could sense someone moving around her.

"Who's there?"

"Who's there?"

Her voice was raspy as she grabbed whatever her hand could find and hurled it into the darkness.

Her frantic actions froze everyone in the room. A sob broke the silence, and a figure rushed towards her.

"Sylvia, Sylvia, what's wrong? It's Mom!"

Naomi, tears streaming down her face, moved closer to Sylvia.

Sylvia's hand stopped mid-air, her breathing shaky. "Mom, where are you? Why can't I see you?"

Naomi's pupils dilated, her tears momentarily forgotten. "Sylvia! Don't scare me like that!"

Sylvia stared blankly at an empty space, her voice trembling. "Mom..."

The room fell silent.

Naomi's cry broke the silence. "Doctor! Doctor!"

The doctor who finally arrived was Rupert's friend. After a thorough examination, his expression grew more serious, though he didn't spell out his concerns.

"I'll arrange some tests and we'll go from there," he comforted before leaving, casting a fleeting glance at Rupert on the sofa.

Rupert stood up quietly and left the room. Beside him, Bridget couldn't hide a small, almost imperceptible smile.

Blind, eh? Let's see how Sylvia competes with her now!

Outside the ward.

Rupert didn't wait for his friend to speak, his usually composed demeanor cracking. "How can we restore her sight?"

His friend was taken aback, having never seen Rupert so agitated. "You're worried now? I told you before - her mental state was fragile. How could this have happened?"

Orson paused, then nodded. "Yes."

...

With Naomi and the nurse's help, Sylvia completed all her tests. Just as they returned to the ward, the police arrived with two of the men. The third man, having been beaten too severely by Rupert, was still unconscious.

The officer spoke seriously, "Ms. Lloyd, we received a report from your roommate. We're here to understand what happened."

Hearing this, Sylvia instinctively hid behind Naomi.

Naomi, protective of her daughter, said angrily, "After what they've done to her, what else is there to ask? They're nothing but beasts, ganging up on a woman! I'll never let them off!"

The two men, visibly injured, winced in pain but were more concerned with Naomi's words.

"Mrs. Naomi Garcia, we didn't know she was your daughter. If we had known..."

"Shut up! It doesn't matter whose daughter she is. What gave you the right to do this?" Naomi, usually gentle and reserved, her voice never raised in public, was now trembling with anger.