A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 59

Fairfax’s face darkened. "And when do you plan on getting it done?"

"I… I've been busy handling the media fallout from the Brinley situation," Gabriel stammered, his voice shrinking under Fairfax's gaze, which was as dangerous as a coiled viper.

Gabriel quickly corrected himself. "The list of assets is ready. I'll have the lawyers get on it immediately." He remembered something else he needed to report, but seeing Starla there, he decided against it and hurried out of the office.

Starla struggled against Fairfax's hold. "If you don't let go, I won't be so nice."

Fairfax pulled her over to the sofa and pushed her down onto it. "You're staying here today," he repeated, his tone firm and unyielding.

Starla twisted away, shrugging off the hand he had placed on her shoulder. Seeing her flinch from his touch, Fairfax felt the ache in his bruised temple intensify.

He walked over to his desk, sat down, and lit a cigarette, taking a few agitated puffs. "The lawyers will return everything to you today. It's time for you to drop the attitude."

Her temper was giving him a headache. She used to be so docile and agreeable. He never imagined she could cause this much trouble. She had practically torn a hole in the sky.

Starla shot him an icy glare. "Throwing tantrums is a childish game. That's something only Brinley enjoys."

She, on the other hand, always played for keeps.

Starla continued, "And don't bother with returning those things. The moment someone threatens to jump off another building, everyone will just say I'm being petty and unreasonable again."

Fairfax fell silent.

"You must have spent a long time coaxing Brinley down from that rooftop last night, didn't you?" The word "coaxing" dripped with sarcasm. Fairfax's breathing grew heavy.

Starla had no more to say to him. She stood up and walked to the door, but it was locked. She jiggled the handle a few times to no avail before turning back to him. "Open it!"

Fairfax was speechless. That mouth of hers!

Starla knew arguing with Fairfax was like arguing with a mule, so she said no more and returned to the sofa. She was confident he would leave for Brinley in less than an hour; there was no need to waste her breath.

Silence filled the office, broken only by the sound of Fairfax smoking. Unable to stand the tension, he looked over at Starla and was about to speak when he saw her rubbing her wrist. He looked closer and saw a dark bruise circling her fair skin, a clear mark from his own grip.

Fairfax froze. He got up, retrieved a first-aid kit from a cabinet, and knelt in front of her. "Look at you. I'm your husband, why do you fight me so hard? You're only hurting yourself."

He opened the kit and took out a bottle of ointment.

Starla let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Maybe in the past, I was the only one who got hurt. But now…"

Her words trailed off into a cold smile.