A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 113

It was already four in the afternoon by the time they returned to Petal Villa. Starla wasn't speaking to Fairfax. Having learned his lesson from that morning, Fairfax didn't dare make any more unilateral decisions about her meals. He had Gabriel hire three nutritionists specifically to cook for her.

However, when the lead nutritionist, a woman named Gemma, stepped forward and said, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Yelchin. I'm Gemma. Annika asked us to take good care of you. Please let us know whatever you'd like to eat,” Starla’s gaze shot to Fairfax.

At the mention of Annika’s name, Fairfax’s brow furrowed in frustration.

Starla let out a soft, sharp laugh. “A request from the grand matriarch herself? In that case, you should all just take it easy. I wouldn't want to overwork you.”

The nutritionists Fairfax had arranged were connected to Annika? How strange. It seemed the old woman, resting and recovering in the nursing home, still couldn't keep her nose out of their business.

Gemma bowed her head slightly. “You’re too kind, Mrs. Yelchin. Annika simply instructed us to look after you. It’s no trouble at all.”

Starla ignored her, her eyes fixed on Fairfax, whose simmering anger was about to boil over. He suddenly kicked the nearby table, sending it scraping across the floor. “Get out! All of you, get out!”

Gemma hesitated. “But…”

“I said get out! Are you deaf?” Fairfax roared. He hadn’t expected the nutritionists he’d requested at the last minute to be Annika’s people.

After they were hurriedly ushered out, the bitter feeling in Starla’s heart lingered.

Fairfax was on the phone with Gabriel, his voice laced with fury. “If you can’t even handle a simple task like this, then get the hell out of my company!”

“Are you talking about the nutritionists?” Gabriel sounded stressed. “Annika found out you were looking for some and insisted that her people be sent over.”

“She’s all the way out in Cirrus City. How would she even know?” Fairfax demanded.

“I… I don’t know.”

The word dripped with scorn. The smile on her face was particularly grating to him now.

“As I recall, you were quite thorough when you assigned a dozen bodyguards to Brinley. You didn’t ask her to settle for ‘simple.’”

“Why must you…”

“Oh, I’m not comparing myself to her,” Starla cut in smoothly. “I’m just done with settling for less.”

She didn’t need to compare herself to Brinley; she was past that. She was just holding up a mirror, forcing him to see the mess he’d made.

Fairfax’s headache intensified. He desperately wanted things to go back to the way they were, back when she was sweet and obedient. He pulled her into his arms, his voice softening. “Alright, no compromises. I’ll cook for you, how about that?”

To him, this was the ultimate concession, the grandest gesture to placate her.