A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 12

Tanya, who had returned for her phone, walked in on the scene and froze in shock. She instinctively moved to check on Starla, but a single cold glare from Fairfax stopped her.

Tanya’s own temper flared. “Starla!”

Fairfax’s hair was slightly disheveled, a vein throbbing in his temple. “Starla,” he seethed, his grip on her wrist so tight it felt like it would shatter her bones. The room was thick with tension.

“Let her go!” Tanya demanded.

Starla met Fairfax’s icy gaze. “What? Are you going to hit me for her?”

“You’re being completely unreasonable.” He flung her hand away and moved to push Brinley’s wheelchair out of the room. As they turned, Brinley cast a smug, triumphant look back at Starla.

Just as they reached the door, Starla’s mocking voice cut through the air. “Remember this. Today’s slaps are just a down payment.”

The message was clear: she wasn’t letting the matter of her children or Draken Haven go.

Fairfax and Brinley both froze.

Fairfax paused, turning to look back at her, but Brinley cut in. “Fairfax, my stomach hurts. Please, get me a doctor.”

Whatever Fairfax had been about to say died on his lips. Without another word, he pushed Brinley out of the room.

Once they were gone, Tanya rushed to Starla’s side. “What was she doing here? Doesn’t she know how disgusting she is, showing her face to you?”

Then she remembered Brinley’s face. “And her cheeks… did you do that?”

Both of Brinley’s cheeks had been red and swollen, clear evidence of several hard slaps.

After the doctor left, Starla asked Tanya, “Is everyone in Marina City saying Fairfax is going to take Brinley in now?”

The rumors had started circulating the month after Faraday’s death, when Brinley began appearing with Fairfax at various events.

“It’s worse than that,” Tanya said. “They’re saying Faraday’s death was suspicious, that Fairfax and Brinley were having an affair all along. They’re even saying her kids are really Fairfax’s.”

It was insane. How could the Yelchin family let this happen, tarnishing their own name? It was all because of Brinley’s wealthy mother.

“Honey, I know you’re furious with them, but please don’t do anything rash,” Tanya pleaded. “Brinley’s mother is a lunatic. After what you did to Brinley today, she’s definitely coming for you.”

Starla’s eyes glinted with a cold light. “She won’t let it go? Good. Because I have no intention of letting it go either.”