A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1

The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the hospital room, turning Starla Lansbury’s stomach. She lay weakly on the bed, the phone pressed to her ear. When the call connected, she spoke first.

“The consent form for the D&C procedure needs a family member’s signature. You need to come to the hospital.”

A half-second of silence hung on the line before the man’s deep voice answered, “When did you get pregnant? Why didn’t I know about this? Starla, there’s a limit to your games!”

The word ‘games’ made her temper flare. “Are you coming or not?”

“I really don’t have time for your drama today!” Fairfax Yelchin’s voice was strained with impatience, despite his effort to control it.

A chill washed over Starla, and saying nothing more, she pulled the phone from her ear. Just as she was about to hang up, a woman's voice drifted through the receiver, "Sir, the C-section was a success. The mother has delivered a beautiful pair of twins, a boy and a girl!"

Starla’s world plunged into darkness. He was here, in the same hospital, but he was with his sister-in-law, celebrating the birth of her twins while his own child was about to be surgically removed. Without another thought, she ended the call.

A female doctor with black-rimmed glasses entered the room, her pen scratching across a clipboard. “When will your husband be here to sign?” she asked briskly. “The operating room is ready.”

“Does he have to be the one to sign it?” Starla asked, her voice tight with suppressed fury.

The doctor paused, looking up from the form. “Pardon?”

Starla met her gaze, her eyes turning unnervingly cold. “He’s busy with his sister-in-law’s new babies. Can I sign it myself?”

A flicker of pity crossed the doctor’s face before she handed over the clipboard. “Fine.”

Starla snatched the pen and quickly signed her name. The doctor then gave her a small pill. “Take this. The procedure will be in half an hour.”

Seeing how weak she was, Molly helped her to a chair in the dining room. "The kitchen just prepared some food. I'll bring it for you."

She returned with a steaming bowl of nourishing soup and some side dishes. Starla had just started eating when the sound of cheerful chatter drifted in from outside. A moment later, Fairfax walked in with his mother, Darleen.

Given the day’s joyous news, Darleen spared Starla her usual glare but didn’t bother to look at her either. “I’ll just go grab that,” she said to Fairfax.

“Alright.”

Darleen headed upstairs. Fairfax’s smile vanished as he approached the table and sat down across from Starla. He crossed his long legs, pulled out a lighter, and with a sharp click, lit a cigarette.

Starla kept her head down, focusing on her food, ignoring him completely.