A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 214

If he had paid just a little more attention, would their child still be alive?

The thought was so agonizing that he couldn't bear to follow it any further. It felt as though invisible tendrils were wrapping around his heart, squeezing and pulling until he could barely breathe.

Taking several deep breaths to compose himself, Fairfax pushed open the bedroom door.

The room was brightly lit. Starla was awake, sitting up in bed and talking on the phone with someone. When she saw him enter, she quickly wrapped up her call. "You handle things on the Yoran Country side. That's all. I'm hanging up."

Fairfax's gaze lingered on her pale face. The mention of 'Yoran Country' made his heart clench. What did she mean, 'handle things'? What kind of connections did she have there? He thought of the trouble Harriet had been running into in Yoran Country recently, and his eyes darkened.

He walked over with the tray. "You must be hungry. The kitchen made your favorites."

"Is it poisoned?" Starla asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Fairfax flinched. The question, delivered in such a light, dismissive tone, tightened the knot of guilt in his chest. A bitter smile twisted his lips. "I'm sorry."

Sorry for not believing her about the miscarriage. For the fact that she was constantly under threat from his family, even after losing their child.

Starla shot him a sideways glance, her eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and mockery at his unexpected apology.

He couldn't stand the way she looked at him anymore. "Eat first," he said, picking up a plate. "Should I feed you?"

"No, thank you. Get out," she ordered bluntly. "You reek. The smell is making me lose my appetite."

"I showered as soon as I got home," he said through gritted teeth.

"We need to talk," he said.

"Do we have anything to talk about?"

"The baby."

The word hung in the air. A hostile energy immediately radiated from Starla. Fairfax grabbed her hand. "I know you want a baby. I've already contacted the best doctors to help you. Once your body has recovered, we can have as many as you want."

He had spent his time in the shower thinking. Caden was right. He had to give her back a baby. It was the only way to possibly mend the chasm between them.

Starla's eyes narrowed. She snatched her hand back and, in one fluid motion, slapped him hard across the face. Before he could even react, she struck him again, on the other cheek.