A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 40

Fairfax scanned the area, his eyes narrowing. "Why would she be here?"

This wasn't a fashion district or a shopping mall. What business could she have in this part of town?

"This area is almost exclusively biotech research firms," Gabriel explained.

"What kind of research?"

"Two of them specialize in cosmetic ingredient research."

But they were research labs, not retail stores. It made no sense for her to be here.

"And the other biotech firm," Gabriel added hesitantly, "belongs to Herbert Farley."

Fairfax fell silent. The air in the car grew still and heavy. Herbert! It always came back to Herbert! Fairfax lit a cigarette. "We wait."

…

Inside one of the research facilities, Starla and Garret walked through a pristine corridor.

"I had no idea you had so many businesses in Marina City, miss," Garret said, clearly impressed. "Does Fairfax know?"

"What would he know?" Starla scoffed. "His mind is entirely occupied by Brinley."

Starla changed into a white, sterile lab coat. She had received a call earlier that a research project she had funded for three years had finally yielded a successful result.

"This one is my largest venture," she explained. Her love for beauty was personal. She had started this biotech company four years ago. The jewelry design studios and the art gallery had begun as hobbies that had unexpectedly flourished, but this company was the one she had poured her heart and soul into.

"Then you should go on in," Garret said, nodding.

"Alright."

Starla had no desire to engage with him. Garret pulled the car around, and she moved to get in. Fairfax’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. “Starla, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”

She turned her head to look at him, her eyes cold. "And you?"

"What?"

"What's your reasonable explanation?"

Fairfax was momentarily confused. Her explanation for what? For Brinley?

"Brinley is my sister-in-law," he said dismissively. "She's my brother's wife. What explanation do you need?"

"Oh, you're aware she's your sister-in-law?" Starla shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You spend day and night with her. Why don't you give me a reasonable explanation for that?"

The phrase 'day and night' hung in the air like a poisoned dagger, exposing the ugly, unspoken truth of the relationship between a sister-in-law and her brother-in-law.