A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 22

The argument in the room escalated. No matter what Fairfax said, Starla refused to back down from suing Brinley. Tanya, who had been waiting outside, overheard Fairfax say, “She fell last night. The wound reopened, and she lost a lot of blood…”

That was the last straw. Tanya burst into the room.

“Fairfax, are you insane? Is being married to you a capital crime? Why are you tormenting her like this?” she raged. “It’s always ‘Brinley, Brinley, Brinley.’ Did you know Starla had a major hemorrhage last night, too?”

She was livid. She’d never seen someone so blatantly side against their own wife. Brinley fell and reopened her wound? Good, she deserved it. She’d practically thrown herself in front of Fairfax to stop him from going to Starla.

Meeting Fairfax’s dangerous gaze, Tanya felt no fear. “Your own wife, because of that bitch, lost her—”

“Tanya,” Starla cut her off sharply.

Tanya glanced at Starla, who gave her a slight shake of the head.

Tanya nodded. “Fine. If you’re so determined to take her side, then just divorce Starla already and spend the rest of your life with that bitch.”

Just as Tanya stopped, Fairfax picked up the thread. “Were you going to say she had a miscarriage?”

Tanya and Starla froze.

Fairfax’s eyes bored into Starla. “Tell me. Did you have a miscarriage?”

Starla’s gaze was glacial. She said nothing, simply staring back at him in silence.

A strange smile touched Fairfax’s lips before he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.

Tanya stared at the closed door, then back at Starla. “What the hell was that attitude? Is he saying you’re faking it? My God…”

She trailed off, pacing the room in frustration.

“I told you,” Starla said quietly. “He never believed I was pregnant, so why would he believe I miscarried? To him, everything I say now is just an excuse to keep him here, away from Brinley.”

This was the state of their marriage. He didn’t believe she was pregnant. And she didn’t believe he was innocent with Brinley.

“But you’re divorcing him!” Tanya exclaimed. “Who’s trying to keep him here?”

“Perhaps,” Starla mused, “he never thought I’d actually go through with it.”

“Now you can reply. She’s worried about her image, but you’re not, right?” Tanya prodded. Starla let out a dry laugh. Of course not. She typed back: [It was more than five minutes, wasn’t he? Not a complete win for you, then?]

She no longer cared about the man, but she wouldn’t lose face in front of the mistress.

Brinley’s reply was instant: [Only six minutes. Are you proud of that? How pathetic!]

“Screenshot it!” Tanya urged.

Starla did, just as Brinley retracted the message again. Then she typed two more messages.

[He’s nothing but trash, but you seem happy to have picked him up.]

[Don’t worry. You’re about to become even more pathetic than me.]

Then, silence. Brinley was probably with Fairfax now.

Tanya looked at Starla, her tone serious. “What’s your plan, Starla?”