A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 146

Were there no other women left in the world? What was so special about Starla that he was so obsessed with her? Years ago, his insistence on marrying her had thrown the entire Yelchin family into chaos. And now, even after everything had fallen apart, he still refused to let her go.

“You…” Darleen began, but was cut off by Gabriel’s arrival. He was carrying a food container.

Fairfax had been about to leave with Starla, but now that lunch was here, he softened his tone.

“Since the food’s arrived, why don’t you have a little something before we go?” he asked, looking down at Starla.

She really was starving. Though she despised the antiseptic smell of the hospital, her hunger was becoming unbearable. It was almost one in the afternoon.

Seeing her silence as a reluctant agreement, Fairfax said, “Just eat a little,” and led her to a bench in the hallway.

Gabriel quickly handed over the food. He had been thoughtful enough to bring an extra portion, and it was obvious who that was for. The other container was for Darleen, leaving Xenia and Brinley with nothing.

From inside the room, they could hear Fairfax’s voice, gentle and doting. “Have some of this soup first. This dish isn’t spicy, you can eat it. And the rice is cooked perfectly.”

The sound of his affectionate words made Darleen’s head spin with rage.

Brinley forced a dutiful smile. “Mom, why don’t you eat something?”

“You have it. I have no appetite,” Darleen snapped. It was true. Listening to Fairfax coddle Starla, she was already full of anger.

Brinley had no appetite either. After all the drama of the past few days, hearing Fairfax still speak to Starla with such tenderness ignited a fire of jealousy so intense it felt like it would burn through her. She envied Starla, and she hated her.

“You should eat, Brinley,” Xenia offered.

Brinley shook her head. “I’m not hungry either.”

Outside in the hallway, Starla wanted nothing to do with Fairfax, but he insisted on feeding her a few spoonfuls of food and half a bowl of soup. Her stomach finally settled.

“I’m done,” she said, turning her head away as he offered another bite.

“Just a little more. Be good,” he coaxed. It was late, and she must have been famished. Her health was already fragile.

“I said I’m done!”

She couldn’t understand why he was suddenly so concerned about her well-being. Didn’t he believe that her heavy bleeding yesterday was just an overreaction to a rich diet during her period?

Seeing that she was resolute, Fairfax didn’t push her further. Instead, he picked up her utensils and finished the rest of her meal himself.