A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 121

No one knew exactly why she was at such odds with Fairfax this time, but her actions made one thing clear: this wasn't just a tantrum. If Fairfax thought he could keep her as a docile pet like before, he was mistaken. Starla’s new, fiery spirit wouldn’t be so easily tamed.

“Was she hurt?” Herbert asked, his voice returning to its usual dispassionate tone.

“No, sir,” Rudolf replied. “Our men reported she was unharmed when Garret picked her up.” Herbert said nothing more, turning his attention to the documents on his desk, leaving Rudolf to wonder what was truly going on behind his boss's inscrutable facade.

...

Meanwhile, Fairfax had arrived at the hospital and was in an urgent consultation with the doctors about the babies. Brinley and Darleen were there, too.

Brinley looked pale and frail, with fever patches on her forehead and the back of her neck. Her eyes, red-rimmed from crying, fixed on Fairfax. “Faraday,” she whispered.

At the sound of his dead brother’s name, Fairfax’s expression hardened. “I’ve told you,” he said coldly, “I’m not—”

“Don’t say it!” Darleen cut him off, her eyes pleading with him to let it go. As far as she was concerned, Brinley was fragile enough already. What did it matter if she called him Fairfax or Faraday? It wasn't as if anything could happen between them now.

Fairfax couldn't believe it. Despite the vicious public speculation swirling around her, she was still clinging to this delusion. Did she have any idea that the only reason she was left in peace was because he had posted bodyguards outside her room?

Sensing Fairfax’s rising frustration, Darleen quickly changed the subject. “Doctor, what is the situation with my grandson?”

The doctor and the hospital director stood by, their faces grave. “We’ve managed to get his lung infection under control,” the doctor began, “but we’ve discovered a much more serious issue with his heart. He has a severe congenital heart defect.”

“We will, darling, of course we will,” Darleen soothed, trying to calm her.

“No, he has a father!” Brinley cried, her tear-filled eyes turning to Fairfax. “Who says my son doesn't have a father? Faraday, you’ll take care of him, won’t you?” Her voice was shrill, teetering on the edge of another breakdown.

Fairfax’s face turned to stone. Before he could speak, Darleen jumped in. “Yes, yes, of course Faraday will take care of the two babies. Brinley, don’t worry yourself.”

“I told you,” Fairfax’s voice was dangerously low, “I am not Faraday!”

“Shut up!” Darleen snapped, her own sanity fraying. Whenever Brinley’s depression flared up, it sent her into a panic as well.