A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 213

Besides, Caden thought, when Fairfax was busy suppressing Starla's 'tantrums,' he seemed to have plenty of solutions. Why was he suddenly out of ideas now?

Fairfax took another hard drag from his cigarette. "If not you, then who? You're always full of schemes."

It was true that Caden was known for his cleverness, but this was different.

"This isn't the same. The mess you've made is too big. Starla wants nothing to do with you anymore," he said bluntly. "When a woman decides she's done with a man, it doesn't matter how much she loved him before. Now, every time she looks at you, she sees something pathetic."

Fairfax's face grew even darker at Caden's harsh words.

"Don't get mad at me for telling you the truth. Right now, you have zero chance of winning her back through apologies or sweet talk. The only thing you can do is refuse to grant her a divorce. But given her personality, that will only make her hate you more."

Caden was right. Starla was doing everything in her power to get a divorce, and Fairfax's refusal was only fueling her resentment.

"Is there really no other way?" Fairfax asked, a note of desperation in his voice.

"No. Unless you can somehow give her back the baby she lost."

The word 'baby' struck Fairfax like a physical blow. For two years, Starla had tried everything to get pregnant. It was only in the last six months, after Faraday's death and the ensuing chaos at the family estate, that her obsession with having a baby had seemed to fade.

"Although," Caden added thoughtfully, "even if you could give her a baby now, I'm not sure she would forgive you."

He knew Starla's temperament all too well.

"I don't know why I even bothered calling you," Fairfax grumbled, shooting Caden an irritated look now that it was clear he had no useful advice to offer.

"And remember," Caden warned, "this is probably your last chance. If you do anything else to upset her, it's really over between you two."

…

After Caden left, Fairfax sat alone in the study, smoking one cigarette after another until the sky outside was completely dark.

He finally went to the kitchen. Molly saw him and said respectfully, "This is all for Mrs. Yelchin. Shall I take it up to her room?"

"I'll take it," Fairfax said.

An image of Starla's pale, drawn face flashed in his mind, and his breath hitched. He suddenly felt a profound, suffocating guilt. He was a damn fool. Why couldn't he have just trusted her? Why hadn't he shown her more concern back then?