A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 372

Starla enunciated the word ‘rules’ with heavy, deliberate emphasis.

“Don’t you remember? When I first came to the Yelchin estate, you were the one who kept telling me that a prestigious family like yours has rules, that it’s not like an orphanage…”

Darleen fell silent, her face flushed with rage.

Fairfax’s expression was grim. He took another drag from his cigarette. “Just say it. What do you want?”

He had no patience for this game. Seeing his mother and sister in their thin nightgowns, shivering outside, had solidified his decision. There was no point in continuing this marriage.

Starla scoffed. “What do I want? What am I even allowed to want in the Yelchin family? What would I dare to ask for?”

Fairfax was silent.

“You don’t dare?” Darleen exploded. “Is there anything you don’t dare to do? Everything you’ve done since yesterday has been about getting more, hasn’t it? Fine, Starla, you win! Whatever you want, we’ll give it to you. Isn’t that enough?”

“Sorry,” Starla said with a smug smile. “This time, I don’t want to win.”

Darleen and Xenia felt their blood boil, nearly spitting up blood in sheer frustration.

“I don’t want anything from this family,” Starla continued, “so don’t you dare label me a gold digger.”

They had always accused her of being after their money. Now that she claimed to want nothing, they would learn that a person with no demands is the most terrifying kind of opponent.

“You’re so noble,” Darleen sneered. “How could you not be after the money?”

“I’m not. I’m really not.”

In the end, Fairfax still left.

Alone with Starla, Darleen shot her a venomous glare.

“What are you standing around for?” Starla said to servants coolly. “They haven't had breakfast yet. Aren't you going to serve them?”

Ordinarily, the prospect of food would have been a relief to Darleen and Xenia, but coming from Starla, it felt like a trap.

Their suspicions were confirmed when breakfast was served. It was last night’s leftovers, all heated together into an unidentifiable, unappetizing mush.

Darleen trembled with rage. “What is this? What are you feeding us?”

“Don’t be so picky. When I don’t give you food, you say I’m a terrible daughter-in-law. Now that I’m feeding you, you complain about the quality. You’re lucky to be getting anything at all. Don’t push it.”