A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 29

“And don’t you think for a second that going public means you’ll be Mrs. Yelchin forever,” Darleen continued, her voice shaking with rage. “In your dreams! Even if the whole world knows, you’re still a worthless commoner with no family to back you up. Even if Fairfax protects you, I have a hundred ways to deal with you!”

Listening to Darleen’s tirade, Starla let out a soft laugh. “It seems you haven’t read the reports very carefully.”

“What are you talking about?” Darleen’s chest heaved with anger. Starla’s casual tone was driving her insane.

“There were two images released,” Starla explained coolly. “One was my marriage certificate with Fairfax. The other was our divorce agreement. Be Mrs. Yelchin forever? Please. Since we seem to want the same thing, perhaps you could do me a favor and persuade Fairfax to sign the papers as soon as possible.”

Darleen was stunned into silence. This girl was insane.

“You’re the one who brought up the divorce agreement? What right do you have?”

“Whether I have the right or not, it’s been brought up, hasn’t it?” Starla replied, tired of her posturing. “From now on, have your son’s lawyers speak to mine. As for you…” Her voice dripped with disdain.

“As for you, stop pretending you have any authority as my ‘mother-in-law.’ What do I need your permission for? And you won’t spare me? Do I look like I need to be spared by you?”

“You… you are an absolute disgrace! It’s true what they say about children raised without a mother…”

At the mention of her mother, Starla’s eyes narrowed, and she cut her off sharply. “Your eldest son’s wife had a mother to teach her, didn’t she? Look at how well-mannered she is, and yet the entire city is still cursing her name. Oh, and right, the mother who taught her is being cursed right along with her.”

Darleen felt a rush of blood to her head. Before she could retort, Starla had already hung up. She tried calling back, but the line wouldn’t connect.

“This is infuriating! Who does she think she is?” Darleen fumed.

“Mom,” Brinley called out weakly.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, don’t worry,” Darleen said, forcing a gentle tone. “I’ll call Fairfax. He’ll handle this. Someone has to be able to control her!”

She stormed out, dialing Fairfax’s number.

Fairfax stood in stunned silence. The pressure in the room became unbearable.

What was she playing at? Blocking his number, Gabriel’s number… Did that mean she had blocked the entire Yelchin family? Was she hiding in the shadows, launching attack after attack on Brinley while they couldn't even find her?

The thought made him tremble with rage. “She still hasn’t gone back to Maple Heights?”

The only contact he’d had with her today was through Tanya’s phone, and she’d hung up on him after several sentences, giving him no clue as to her whereabouts.

Gabriel shook his head. “No, sir.”

“Then find out where she is!” Fairfax roared.

Was this really how she was going to play it? Leaving them no room to even negotiate?