A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 23

Starla considered the thought for a moment before saying, “Tomorrow, my marriage license and the divorce agreement with Fairfax will be all over Marina City.”

“What?!” Tanya was stunned. “You’re going to announce your marriage? But why…?”

“I’m divorcing him, yes,” Starla explained. “But if Brinley wants my position, she’ll have to do it with the label of ‘homewrecker’ pinned to her name.”

It was no secret how Brinley's mother, Harriet, had clawed her way up in the business world. The mother and daughter were both hypocrites, desperate to maintain a facade of the powerful, independent woman while despising labels like ‘mistress’ and ‘homewrecker.’ So, that was exactly where Starla would strike.

“Once your marriage license is public, Brinley will be crucified as the other woman!” Tanya realized.

The city had been buzzing with rumors that Fairfax would nobly take care of his twin brother’s widow and children. No one knew he was already married. The news would be explosive, and all the public scorn would be directed at Brinley.

The revenge was sweet, but Tanya was still worried. “But Harriet will come after you. Honey, maybe we should think of another way?”

“Don’t worry,” Starla said, her voice softening. “She has a millionaire mom, but I…”

She trailed off, closing her eyes for a moment. “I have family who will protect me, unconditionally.”

Family. The word had always felt foreign to her, but now, saying it filled her with a warmth she’d never known.

Tanya was confused. “What? Family? You have family?”

“Yes. Mine.”

Her own family. People who would stand by her in this world.

“But… I thought you didn’t have anyone,” Tanya said cautiously. She had always believed Starla grew up in an orphanage, which was why she’d been so protective of her over the years.

“But… you…” Tanya was still reeling. For years, she’d heard people mock Starla—the orphan, the charity case who’d married up. Who could have imagined that this supposed nobody was the lost princess of the Hoggart Group? That the man worshipped by women worldwide was her own brother?

“Honey, am I dreaming? Here, pinch me.”

Starla obliged, twisting a bit of skin on her friend’s cheek.

“Ow, ow, ow! It hurts! It’s real!” The dreamlike haze vanished, replaced by pure elation. “Well, in that case, I’m not worried at all! With Yardley Hoggart as your brother, they’re the ones who should be scared. This is going to be their worst nightmare!”

Compared to the Hoggart Group, Brinley's millionaire mom was nothing more than an ant. A jolt of adrenaline shot through Tanya, and she began pacing the room excitedly.

“Go wild! I officially support you going absolutely nuts! Wreck them all!”

Her fears for Starla had vanished. Now, she was just excited to watch the show.