A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 46

Starla had just finished dinner with Tanya when her phone rang. It was Harriet.

"You little brat," Harriet's voice was a low snarl. "I really underestimated you." A girl with nothing had managed to create a scandal so massive that even she and the Yelchins combined couldn't suppress it.

Starla laughed, a sound dripping with contempt. "To be underestimated by you… I suppose that means I've done something right?"

The casual disdain was like a knife twisting in Harriet's gut.

"I have an old friend of yours here," Harriet said, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "I think you'll feel quite sentimental."

Starla froze.

"Accept my friend request. I'll send you the video."

She hung up before Starla could respond. A moment later, a friend request popped up on her screen. Her brow furrowed, but she accepted it. A video file appeared immediately. Starla tapped play, and her blood ran cold.

The screen showed a woman, bloodied and bound to a chair.

"You take them in, but you don't teach them, do you?" a voice in the video taunted. "Now that she's caused trouble, it's only right that you take responsibility."

Starla's breath caught in her throat. Her heart hammered against her ribs. The scene then cut to the orphanage—the place where she grew up—being engulfed in flames.

Before she could fully process the horror, the video was retracted. It was a move Brinley often pulled, a lesson clearly learned from her mother.

Harriet's call came again instantly. "How's that for a warning?" Her tone was arrogant and brutal.

"Brinley is my only daughter," Harriet hissed. "You'll pay a price for what you've done to her!"

Just as they were approaching, her phone rang again. It was her brother, Yardley.

"Bro?" she answered, her voice trembling.

"The situation at the Blue Dove Orphanage has been handled."

"What?"

"Yes. I was in a meeting, so I couldn't call you sooner. You just heard about it?"

Starla felt the massive weight in her chest lift instantly. In that moment, she understood what it meant to have a family that could truly protect her.