A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 152

Frustrated, Fairfax tipped the bowl to his lips and drank the entire contents in one go.

"There. I'll drink it myself. We'll see if it sends me to the hospital."

Starla didn't respond. She thought he was being ridiculous.

Fairfax set the empty bowl down but didn't leave. He stared at her back for a moment before asking, "Who was that 'brother' you were talking to on the phone?"

He'd heard her mention it the moment he walked in. Brother? She grew up in an orphanage; what brother could she possibly have?

The question made Starla's breath catch, but she recovered in an instant. "What brother? Did you think I have a powerful family to back me up, like Brinley does?"

She turned her head slightly. "Sorry to disappoint you. I don't. The Yelchin family really got a raw deal marrying me."

Her sarcastic, self-deprecating tone infuriated him all over again. He opened his mouth to say something, but his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and rejected the call. After another look at Starla's back, he stood up.

"Get some rest. I'll have the kitchen send something up when it's ready."

He was trying to accommodate her in every way he could, even relaxing his strict rule against eating in the bedroom.

As soon as Fairfax stepped out the door, his phone rang again. This time, he answered it.

"What is it now?" he snapped, the irritation clear in his voice.

Starla knew the name. Justin Gass was the world's leading cardiac surgeon. He was known for pulling patients back from the brink of death, a man they said could bargain with Death itself. Wealthy families sought him out for all sorts of ailments, even those outside his specialty. He was brilliant, but also notoriously difficult to persuade. Her own biotech company had made a major breakthrough a year ago thanks to a small piece of advice from him. He was practically retired now, enjoying a quiet life, and hated being disturbed.

"Yes," Garret continued. "His men are already on their way. It seems the boy's illness is genuine. Mr. Hoggart has already contacted Mr. Gass to…"

"There's no need for that," Starla interrupted.

Garret paused, confused. "Miss?"

"Stay out of it when it comes to the baby," she instructed. "If Fairfax can convince Mr. Gass to help, that's his own doing."

They wouldn't interfere. Besides, Justin hadn't performed surgery in two years. Getting him to agree wouldn't be easy for Fairfax.