A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 16

Brinley, who had been struggling, caught a glimpse of Fairfax and Darleen in the doorway. Her expression instantly crumpled, and tears streamed down her face.

“That’s not what I meant, I swear,” she sobbed. “Starla, please, let me go… Ah! My incision, it hurts!”

That cry was all it took for Darleen to lose control. “Starla, let her go!” she shrieked, charging into the room like a woman possessed.

Starla had known they were there the moment Brinley’s act began. A twisted smile played on her lips as she met Brinley’s fleeting look of triumph. With a final, vicious tug, she slammed Brinley’s head against the metal bed frame. A blood-curdling scream tore from Brinley’s throat.

Darleen cried out in horror and rushed to pull Brinley into her arms, shielding her protectively. She glared at Starla, her eyes filled with a murderous rage. “Are you crazy? If you want to have a meltdown, do it somewhere else! She just had a C-section! How could you do this to her?”

Brinley was now clutching her abdomen, her face ashen with pain. “Ah, my stomach… It hurts so much.”

“You venomous snake! How could you be so cruel?”

The sight of Brinley in agony fueled Darleen’s fury. To her, Brinley was a hero who had given the Yelchin family twin heirs, a treasure to be protected at all costs. She couldn't tolerate Starla treating her this way.

Starla scoffed. “She wasn’t afraid of tearing her stitches when she deliberately threw herself out of her wheelchair to trap Fairfax. Why should I be the one to treat her with care?”

“You’re talking nonsense! You’re just…”

“Do you still want that apology?” Starla’s voice cut through Darleen’s tirade like a shard of glass. Her gaze shifted from Darleen and landed squarely on Fairfax. He stood there, his jaw clenched, his eyes blazing with a cold fury she had never seen before.

She knew then that he was truly enraged. Enraged on Brinley’s behalf.

Starla tore her eyes away from him and looked back at Brinley. “I hate it when people play games with me. Remember that. The next time you decide to put on a show, this is how I’ll respond.”

The dismissive challenge in her voice nearly sent Darleen into cardiac arrest.

Without another word, Starla left the room. Fairfax glanced at his mother and Brinley before turning to follow her.

“I can’t believe him! What kind of woman did he marry?” Darleen fumed. “And he’s still protecting her!”

“Mom… call a doctor,” Brinley gasped, clutching her stomach.

Darleen’s anger was instantly replaced by panic. “Oh, Brinley, yes, of course, I’ll call a doctor.” She moved to help Brinley lie down, but as her hand touched Brinley’s gown, she felt a damp stickiness. She pulled her hand back and stared at it in horror. It was covered in blood.

“Aah!” Darleen shrieked, fumbling for the emergency call button. “Brinley, are you alright? Oh, that Starla… I’ll kill her! I swear I’ll kill her!”