A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 26

Starla was half-asleep when her phone rang. Seeing it was Caden, she answered groggily. “It’s the middle of the night. What do you want?”

“Your husband is with us.”

Starla’s hand tightened on the phone. “So?” her voice grew colder.

“He’s had a lot to drink. Are you going to come pick him up?”

“Call Brinley,” Starla said flatly, and hung up before he could say another word.

Back at the club, the men were standing on the curb, Caden’s phone on speaker. When Starla’s sharp reply cut through the air, Fairfax’s expression turned glacial.

A black Maybach pulled up. Herbert glanced at his watch and got in. The window rolled down halfway, framing his handsome profile in the glow of the streetlight. After being silent all night, he fixed his sharp, cold eyes on Fairfax. “This time, whose side are you on?”

The question hung in the air. Darian and Caden both turned to look at Fairfax, who was visibly bristling.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Fairfax bit out.

Herbert’s eyes narrowed, then opened again, deeper and colder than before. “I support you getting a divorce.”

Darian and Caden stared, speechless. What was with Herbert?

Fairfax’s face was a thundercloud of impending violence. Before he could respond, Herbert looked away, and the car window slid up. As his icy profile disappeared from view, they heard him say two words to his driver: “Let’s go.”

The car roared to life and sped away.

Darian and Caden both looked at Fairfax, utterly confused. The usually quiet Herbert had never offered an opinion on Fairfax’s personal life before. And was that even an opinion? Why was he so forcefully ‘supporting’ a divorce?

Fairfax’s hands were clenched into fists, his body radiating pure rage. He had called his friends out for a drink to ease his frustration, and now he felt worse than ever.

To top it all off, Caden muttered, “I didn’t think Herbert and Starla even knew each other. But his tone just now… it sounded like he was on Starla’s side.”

Fairfax’s face grew even darker. Darian shot Caden a look, warning him to shut up.

…

Darleen’s face tightened. Fairfax, too, listened to his call, his expression growing tense and grim.

…

Meanwhile, Starla had been escorted from the hospital by Garret. Instead of going back to Maple Heights, she was taken to Creek Haven, a lavish estate at Cosmos Summit in Marina City.

“This is Mr. Hoggart’s property in the city, Miss,” Garret explained. “He instructed me to bring you here directly.”

Starla nodded. “Thank you.”

This was for the best. At Maple Heights, Fairfax could appear at any time, which would be a constant annoyance.

Four years ago, Cosmos Summit had been the most coveted piece of real estate among the city’s elite. From its peak, one could see all of Marina City. Even Fairfax had tried to buy it, but it had been sold at auction to a mysterious buyer.

Starla had often wondered who in Marina City had deeper pockets than Fairfax. She never would have guessed the mystery buyer was her own brother, Yardley.

“I’ve asked the kitchen to prepare some nourishing soup for you, Miss,” Garret said. “Once you’ve eaten, we can discuss the matters you wish to handle.”