A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 420

Overwhelmed, Darleen turned and fled upstairs, unable to face Starla any longer.

Xenia stared at the enormous pile of curtains and carpets, her heart sinking. But one look at Starla’s cold, implacable expression told her this was no empty threat. If they didn’t work, they wouldn’t eat. Starla was more than capable of starving them!

With a feeling of dread, Xenia resigned herself to the task and walked toward the baskets.

“Remember to scrub every single inch,” Starla called after her. “Someone will be inspecting your work.”

The words hit Xenia like a physical blow, and she nearly stumbled. She cursed Starla under her breath, calling her every vile name she could think of, but she didn’t dare say a word out loud. In just a few short days, Starla had broken her.

Xenia carried the first load toward one of the bathrooms, but one of Starla’s maids blocked her path.

“What are you doing?” Xenia demanded.

“These are too large. You’ll have to wash them at the outdoor spigot.”

“Outside? It’s freezing out there, and you want me to wash these outside?”

The wind was howling, and the sky looked heavy with the promise of snow. Had Starla completely lost her mind?

“Did you think this was a vacation?” the maid replied coolly. “You’re here to work, not to be treated like the lady of the house.”

Xenia’s face flushed with fury. “Are you actually treating me like a maid?”

“Is there a difference right now?”

Brinley had eaten a little. Sally had done enough work to earn food for one person, and they had split the meager portion. Sally needed her strength, so she’d taken the larger share, leaving Brinley with next to nothing.

She thought back to the expensive supplements Darleen had brought her right after the birth, items she had turned her nose up at. Now, she would have given anything for them. It was true what they said: you never appreciated food until you were starving.

When Darleen entered the room with a thunderous expression, Brinley glanced at Sally, who took the hint. “I’ll be right outside,” Sally said, nodding before she left.

Once they were alone, Brinley couldn't contain her anxiety any longer. “Mom, how did it go?”

Darleen’s sour face was answer enough, but Brinley had to ask.

“Don’t even ask!” Darleen snapped. The question was like a match to a tinderbox, igniting all her pent-up frustration from the day.