A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 71

At the hospital, Harriet was on the verge of a breakdown. The news from her contact confirmed her worst fears, and then Clyde called to tell her that Vista Bay had been burned to a smoldering shell. Everything inside—all her jewelry, her vast collection of valuables, and a large amount of cash—was gone.

Shivering with rage, she shot a cold glare at Darleen. "Mrs. Yelchin, I believe the Yelchin family owes me an explanation for this," she hissed. "My daughter gave your family a beautiful pair of twins, and this is how you repay her? By letting your other daughter-in-law run wild? Now she's even burned down my estate at Vista Bay, along with two other villas. Are you going to compensate me for this loss?"

Darleen's temples throbbed with fury. Starla had gone too far. How could she possibly dare to do such a thing? Taking a deep breath, Darleen tried to placate her. "Harriet, please, rest assured. The Yelchin family will absolutely give you a proper accounting for this."

Harriet snorted. "I must have been blind to marry my daughter into your family."

Despite the considerable benefits she had reaped from the alliance over the years, her fury left no room for courtesy.

Darleen's face hardened. "I've already told you, I will give you an explanation!"

While Darleen was willing to be humble when her family was in the wrong, Harriet's insult stung her pride. Suggesting she was 'blind' implied the Yelchins were beneath her. After all the status Harriet had gained through this marriage, was she now looking down on them?

Sensing the shift in Darleen's tone, Harriet pressed her advantage. "And how, Mrs. Yelchin, do you intend to do that?"

It was an empty promise. No one in the Yelchin family, not even Faraday before he died, could control that rogue, Fairfax. Did she really expect Harriet to believe she would get rid of Starla, the woman who was poised to become the next matriarch of the Yelchin family?

Before Darleen could answer, Harriet delivered her ultimatum. "Let me be clear. My Brinley will not remain in the Yelchin family as long as Starla is there."

The message was unmistakable: it was either Starla or Brinley.

Alone in the hospital room, Brinley turned to her mother. "What are you doing? I need to stay with the Yelchins to keep Fairfax close."

Her objective was clear: she had to be there to drive a wedge between Fairfax and Starla, especially now. The fact that Fairfax seemed even more protective of Starla after today’s disaster sent a shiver of panic through her.

"Besides," she added, "Vista Bay is gone. Where will you take me and the children?"

The mention of Vista Bay reignited Harriet’s fury. She wanted to do more than teach Starla a lesson; she wanted her dead. She had truly underestimated the girl.

"Don't you worry," Harriet said, her voice low and tight with suppressed anger. "And don't underestimate your mother-in-law. When pushed, she'll make Starla's life a living hell."