A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 263

Every mention of the ‘divorce agreement’ was exactly what Darleen wanted to hear, yet Starla's tone was so… arrogant.

Yes, arrogant. That was it. She sounded as if she were the one magnanimously dumping Fairfax, a posture that ignited a firestorm of rage within Darleen. She deeply despised Starla, but hearing that mocking tone made her blood pressure skyrocket. What was she implying? That she was an expert at turning her son against his wife? Darleen wished she could reach through the phone and strangle her.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“It means,” Starla said, her voice dripping with condescension, “can I get the signed divorce agreement from you tomorrow?”

If she left it to Fairfax alone, Starla worried he might come up with some other ridiculous scheme. But with his dear mother constantly nagging him, she doubted he'd be able to resist. And his inability to resist was precisely what she was counting on. She couldn't wait to be free of this suffocating, nauseating relationship.

Listening to Starla’s haughty tone, Darleen felt like she was about to explode.

“Don’t you worry. You’ll get it,” she spat. “Once you’re out of this city and without Fairfax, let’s see who’s left to protect you!”

Darleen said it with venom. Did Starla think she was safe just because she had Herbert? The Farley family elders were not to be trifled with. They were only holding back now because she was still technically Fairfax’s wife. The moment she wasn’t, they would tear her to shreds for seducing their golden boy.

“Then I’ll be waiting for your good news,” Starla chirped, her cheerful tone being the final nail in the coffin of Darleen's self-control.

A signed divorce agreement would be the best news Darleen had heard in ages. She had long prayed for the day that woman was gone from the Yelchin family for good.

Darleen slammed the phone down and marched to Brinley’s hospital room.

Brinley’s eyes were red-rimmed, clear evidence of a recent crying spell. Xenia was there, too.

“Who do you think?” Darleen sneered. “Who else but that cursed orphan who jinxed her entire family to death!”

Before the tragedy with the baby, Darleen had maintained some level of restraint, mostly for Fairfax’s sake. She hadn’t always said the ugliest things that came to mind.

But not today.

With Brinley’s child dead and her own face smarting from a slap, her verbal filter was gone.

When Brinley and Xenia heard it was Starla, they both stared at Darleen, their eyes wide with disbelief.