A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 469

Even if he didn't trust Starla, he had to trust his own sight.

...

Outside the fast-food restaurant, Brinley was drenched in a cold sweat.

On the phone, Felix's voice was sharp with panic and rage. "I told you not to involve me in your problems right now! And what happens? You make me pick you up, and we run right into Fairfax! Brinley, I'm telling you, if Fairfax finds out about us, we're both finished!"

His tone was explosive. The man who had once called her 'darling' was now speaking to her with undisguised fury. The change was whiplash-inducing.

After weeks of suffering under Starla's thumb, Brinley had viewed Felix as her only lifeline. Now, his harsh words felt like a betrayal, and the injustice of it all was overwhelming.

"Why are you speaking to me like that?" she asked, her voice choked with tears.

"How do you want me to speak to you? I told you our plan was close to succeeding! I told you to be patient, but you wouldn't listen! You just had to have me pick you up tonight!"

"So you're blaming me?" Brinley cried. "How was I supposed to know Fairfax would follow us?"

His accusations felt like a knife twisting in her gut. She had done so much for him over the years. He used to be so gentle with her. Now... this.

"This is all your fault, Brinley! Didn't you know our relationship had to remain a secret? Are you trying to get us both killed? Maybe that would be for the best!"

"This is your mess!" Felix snarled. "You're the one who kept whining for me to come get you!"

His complete lack of tenderness was the final straw. Brinley felt a profound sense of despair and hurt. "You want me to handle this alone?"

"What else? You want me to go tell Fairfax that you insisted I come pick you up?"

"You...!" Brinley was so angry she could barely breathe. She took several deep breaths, but the suffocating feeling in her chest wouldn't go away.

She glanced back. Fairfax's car was still there, an unmoving shadow. Even though she couldn't see inside, she could feel the oppressive weight of his presence.