A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 77

Molly quickly returned with a fresh bowl of soup. Fairfax took it from her and once again held a spoonful to Starla's lips. "Don't you know how weak you are right now? Open your mouth."

His voice was a low coax, his eyes intense. Starla knew he wouldn't back down. Seething, she snatched the bowl from his hands and drank every last drop in a few angry gulps.

"That's a good girl," he said softly.

Bang!

She slammed the empty bowl onto the table. The angry red mark on his neck seemed to mock her, and she forced herself to look away. They finished the rest of their breakfast in a tense, suffocating silence.

Afterward, she made for the door.

"I told you," Fairfax blocked her path, "you're not leaving the house."

"And what if I insist?"

Their wills clashed in the silent hallway. Fairfax’s eyes were cold, a familiar ruthlessness creeping into his gaze. Seeing it directed at her sent a dull ache through Starla's chest. She had always known he was a formidable man, but in all their years of marriage, he had never turned that side on her. She wondered if he would now.

Not that it mattered. She wasn't afraid. If he wanted to play rough, she could be just as ruthless.

His eyes narrowed. "Are you that desperate to see him?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion. Him, Herbert.

"I don't know who I might want to see out there," she retorted, "but I know for a fact that you have someone you're eager to see."

"I already told you, my involvement with her these past six months has been solely about the children."

"So, you're saying you won't leave for her again? Is that a promise?"

The air crackled with tension. Fairfax's expression grew colder by the second. He was just about to nod, to give her the promise she demanded, when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and his brow furrowed.

After a moment's hesitation, he answered.

"So that's why you were so content to stay here last night," Starla said, raising an eyebrow. "You weren't protecting me. You were guarding me for Brinley's sake."

Fairfax's jaw tightened. "That was two years ago! Why bring it up now? Are you determined to make everyone miserable?"

"Yes," she replied without a hint of hesitation.

Fairfax was speechless.

"You think Brinley is miserable now?" Starla continued, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Oh, this is just the beginning."

"What else are you planning to do?"

"So much more." She intended to repay every ounce of pain Brinley had inflicted on her, with interest.