A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 369

Brinley had witnessed the entire confrontation from the top of the stairs, but like a frightened mouse, she had remained hidden, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.

Now, she wanted to at least toss a couple of coats down to Darleen and Xenia, but Starla’s people were patrolling the upstairs hallway, making it impossible. Besides, her room didn't overlook the front entrance; only Starla's did, and that was a door she wouldn't dare approach.

Just then, her phone rang. It was her mother, Harriet Seabrook.

The moment Brinley answered, she burst into tears. "Mom…"

Harriet’s voice was sharp on the other end. "What's wrong? Why are you crying? You silly girl, I told you that you must not cry during your postpartum recovery! Are you deliberately ignoring my advice?"

Her tone was impatient, clearly burdened by her own problems.

"Mom, when are you coming back?" Brinley asked, her voice thick with misery.

She couldn't take it anymore. She had thought Darleen was a force to be reckoned with, but Starla had neutralized her without breaking a sweat. With Darleen powerless, Brinley felt utterly lost and alone, and she desperately missed her mother.

"I'm not finished with my business here! How can I come back?" Harriet snapped.

The last thing she wanted to discuss was her return to Marina City. The people who had promised to help her had gone silent, and she was still stuck. Days had passed with no news.

The longer she waited, the more frantic she became. The fines levied against her in Yoran Country, on top of the breach of contract penalties, were piling up. If she couldn't resolve this soon, she would be financially ruined.

"But you said you'd be back soon," Brinley whimpered.

Then the line went dead.

Brinley stared at her phone, fighting the urge to smash it against the wall.

Quest, Quest, Quest. What was so important about Quest? Why was her mother so obsessed with saving him? If she could help, wouldn't she have done it already? She hadn't even seen the way Fairfax looked at her these days.

Harriet’s fixation on Quest grated on her nerves, and a bitter resentment began to fester.

…

Starla had fallen asleep at nine the previous night and had slept soundly until well after eight in the morning. She felt wonderfully refreshed as she made her way downstairs for breakfast.