A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 209

When Starla woke up, she felt dizzy and disoriented. Fairfax was sitting in a chair by her bed, an unlit cigarette resting between his fingers. He looked over as she stirred, his eyes as deep and dark as a well. The intensity of his gaze sent a chill down her spine.

"Are we at the hospital?" she asked, noticing the standard-issue hospital gown she was wearing.

"Do you want to be discharged?" he asked.

Starla raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I know you don't like the smell of disinfectant. You'd be more comfortable back at Luwood Mountain."

His voice was gentle, almost unnaturally so.

Starla simply watched him in silence. Since when did he know what she liked and disliked? What a novelty.

Fairfax reached out and gently stroked her pale cheek. "So, are we going?"

"You can go by yourself," she replied coldly.

A faint smile touched his lips. "Go by myself? So you can disappear the second I turn my back, just like last time?"

He had already told her he wouldn't let her out of his sight again. He wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.

His words made her expression harden. "What did the doctor say?" she asked, her tone clipped.

At her question, Fairfax's face tensed for a fraction of a second. The hand holding the cigarette tightened, crushing the filter. But the moment passed as quickly as it came.

"Nothing serious," he said smoothly. "Just that you need to get plenty of rest for a while."

"Is that all?"

He nodded. "Yes, that's all."

"Of course I'm going back!" she snapped. She despised the smell of this place. But his sudden attentiveness didn't move her in the slightest; in fact, his clinginess was just another source of irritation.

Hearing her agree, Fairfax stood up and tossed the unsmoked cigarette into the trash. He then bent down, wrapped her in his jacket, and lifted her into his arms.

As they exited the elevator, a cool breeze hit them. He instinctively tightened the jacket around her, shielding her from the cold.

Starla was petite, and in Fairfax's arms, she seemed even smaller.

Gabriel had already turned on the heat in the car, and a wave of warmth washed over Starla as soon as they got in. Fairfax continued to hold her.

She struggled slightly. "Let me go."

"Be good," he murmured. "Just get some more sleep."