A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 129

At nine o'clock that evening, Fairfax arrived at Herbert's house. Herbert's expression soured the moment he saw him, and Fairfax's was no better. The two men sat facing each other, one with a cigarette between his fingers, the other swirling a glass of red wine. Under the bright lights, their faces were carved from ice.

Fairfax broke the silence. "Where is she?"

He meant Starla. After the fire at Petal Villa, he had rushed back to find her gone. He immediately sent Gabriel to find her, but her exact whereabouts were unknown. All they knew was that she had been escorted away by that man from Yoran Country—Herbert's man. Ever since Fairfax discovered the man's presence, he had been convinced he worked for Herbert.

Herbert gave him a cold look. The air between them was thick with tension, all traces of their former friendship gone.

"I'm not divorcing her," Fairfax stated, his voice firm.

"What do you think she'll do if she finds out you came to see me?" Herbert countered.

"I don't give a damn what she'll do! Herbert, don't push me too far!" Fairfax was on the brink. "After all these years, do you even realize what you're doing?"

"And what does 'all these years' mean? Am I supposed to help you fix your marriage?"

A chill settled deeper in Fairfax's eyes. In his experience, Herbert was a man of few words. But now, for Starla, he was twisting the knife with an uncharacteristic sharpness.

Fairfax's breathing grew ragged. "Where the hell is she?"

"Brinley and her children will be your responsibility for the rest of your life."

Fairfax was speechless. For the past six months, Faraday's death had been like a bomb that had shattered his world. Faraday was gone, at peace, but Fairfax was left to deal with the shrapnel—Brinley and the children.

Fairfax now knew exactly what it felt like to have a knife twisted in his heart. But he refused to leave without getting Starla's location from Herbert. The atmosphere in the villa was thick with heavy, unyielding tension.

...

Meanwhile, at Cosmos Summit, Starla received an update.

"Fairfax arrived at Mr. Farley's house at nine o'clock," Garret informed her. "He's demanding to know your whereabouts."

Starla paused on her way upstairs, a frown creasing her brow. Sometimes, Fairfax could be incredibly dense!

"He's been convinced these past few days that Mr. Farley is helping you," Garret continued. "He also thinks I work for Mr. Farley."