A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 86

For the past six months, whenever Brinley used the excuse to summon Fairfax, he had always gone. Starla knew that if she stayed with him, she would forever live in the shadow of Brinley and her babies.

“You should divorce him first,” Herbert said.

Starla looked up at him, not quite understanding.

“Whatever conditions he sets,” Herbert elaborated, “agree to them for now.”

Starla was silent. Whatever conditions Fairfax set? Right now, his only condition would undoubtedly be for her to let Brinley go. That was it. If she agreed to leave Brinley alone, he would surely sign the divorce papers. Realization dawned on her.

“Thank you, Mr. Farley.”

Herbert stood up and checked his watch. “Get some rest.” He turned and walked toward the door. Just as he reached it, he seemed to remember something and glanced back at her. “If there’s anything in Marina City that your brother can’t handle for you, call me.”

Starla’s expression froze. Before she could process his words, he was gone.

...

Moments later, Garret came in.

“When can I be discharged?” Starla asked, hating the antiseptic smell of the hospital.

Garret’s face tensed for a second before he answered respectfully, “The medical suite at Cosmos Summit has been prepared. You can go there directly to recuperate after you’re discharged. However, your brother has instructed that you are not to return to work for the time being.”

“Today was an accident. I ate the wrong thing,” Starla explained.

“He is very worried about you,” Garret said. The message was clear: Yardley wasn't interested in excuses. His only priority now was to see that Starla recovered fully.

…

Caden received a call and had to rush back to his company. He was about to go say goodbye to Starla when he ran into Herbert, who told him not to bother. The way he said it, it was almost as if he didn't want Caden seeing Starla alone.

Caden found it odd. “If we both leave, will Starla be okay?”

“Her people are here.”

Caden was taken aback. Her people… Well, if that was the case, Harriet had truly kicked a hornet's nest. The backlash was probably just getting started.

As they reached the lobby, they heard Fairfax on the phone, his voice echoing with frustration. “Starla, what in the world are you trying to do? Do you have any idea what you're doing?”

Caden froze. He was yelling at Starla—the woman who had just been hemorrhaging—all for Harriet? In that instant, he felt like he couldn't call this man his friend anymore.