A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 73

"Mr. Yelchin," Molly's voice came from the hallway. "Your mother and Miss Xenia are here."

Starla froze. The air in the dimly lit room grew cold. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "So, the executioner has arrived. Let me go."

She tried to sit up, her body tensing like a warrior bracing for battle. She had no intention of hiding. All pretenses were gone, so why bother?

Fairfax sighed, his head aching. He grabbed her wrist. "You're staying right here." He switched on the bedside lamp and pushed her back down under the covers. "Get some sleep. I'll handle this."

He wouldn't let her go downstairs. If she did, there was no telling what kind of scene would erupt. These past few days had made one thing brutally clear: the old Starla was gone. The woman who had once respectfully deferred to her in-laws, doted on the family matriarch, and treated her sister-in-laws with kindness was no more. The quiet, obedient wife had been replaced by a wild, unpredictable force of nature.

Fairfax stood up to leave.

Lying in bed, Starla let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Are you coming back up later?"

"Where else would I go?" The snide question grated on his nerves.

"You've spent plenty of nights away from Petal Villa in the last six months. You know perfectly well where you could go."

Fairfax winced. This again. It seemed her resentment wasn't going to fade anytime soon. He pulled on a robe and turned back to her. "From now on, I won't be leaving for my brother's children anymore."

He emphasized the last words, trying to make her understand that his absences had been for the twins, not for Brinley.

Her smirk only widened. "Your brother's children, you say? Don't worry, you'll have plenty of reasons to leave for them in the future."

The sarcasm in her voice was thick enough to cut. He felt helpless. He knew the past six months had wounded her deeply, and he had no idea how long it would take for that wound to heal. He stepped forward and ruffled her hair. "Be good."

"She had my apartment at Maple Heights trashed," Starla added.

"What? So… wait…" Tanya was stunned. If Harriet had trashed Starla’s place, was it possible Starla hadn't been involved with the fire? She cleared her throat. "Okay, well, you should get some sleep."

If Starla said she didn't do it, then she didn't do it. But whoever had, Tanya thought, had done the world a favor.

...

Downstairs, Darleen’s eyes fell on Fairfax as he descended alone, clad in a loosely tied robe. Through the open collar, she could see faint scratch marks on his chest. Her blood began to boil. "Where is she?"

Fairfax ignored the question, sinking into the sofa across from her. He picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table, lit one, and took a long drag.