A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1285

When Starla walked into the hospital room, Elmer was just ending his call with Yardley.

Seeing her, his harsh expression softened slightly, though a shadow of irritation lingered. "You're at the estate tonight?"

"Yes."

"He should be spending what little time he has left with that woman," Elmer muttered under his breath, before tossing his phone aside.

When he looked back at Starla, his eyes were filled with nothing but doting warmth. "Why didn't you just sleep at the castle? Did your brother bother you?"

"I wouldn't call it a bother," Starla replied, taking a seat beside his bed. It was just exhausting having to deal with him. Especially since his obsession with Susanna was now dragging Fairfax into the mix.

Elmer studied her for a moment. "Your house will be ready soon. Once it is, you won't ever have to see him if you don't want to."

"Thank you, Father."

"Silly girl. It's your home. You should live exactly however makes you comfortable."

*Comfortable.* The word surprised her. She hadn't realized comfort was something that existed within the cutthroat walls of the Hoggart family.

Starla glanced at the fruit basket on the nightstand and noticed a few ripe yellow peaches. She reached for one. "Should I peel a peach for you?"

"No, those are your favorites. Eat them yourself."

Starla froze. She looked down at the peach, her heart giving a strange tug. She was genuinely shocked that Elmer knew what she liked. He was a busy, intimidating patriarch—she assumed he didn't know the first thing about her personal preferences.

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