A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 479

Seeing Brinley look to Fairfax for support, Darleen rounded on him as well. "And you! Why did you bring her back? You should have just killed her and Felix right then and there!"

Her words hung in the air, instantly ratcheting up the tension in the room.

Brinley stared at Darleen in disbelief. Last night, her own mother had told her to die. And now Darleen was saying Fairfax should have killed her? They may have had their disagreements, but this was beyond cruel.

Suddenly, Brinley was struck by the sheer viciousness of Darleen's heart. "Mom, how could you say that?" she choked out. "I told you, it's not what you think between me and Felix."

"Then what is it? Tell me, why were you in his car? He was Faraday's mortal enemy! Did you think of Faraday at all when you were rolling around with him?"

The more Darleen spoke, the more agitated she became, her words growing increasingly vulgar. Brinley’s face went deathly pale.

"Enough! That's enough!" Fairfax's sharp voice cut through the tirade, silencing Darleen.

Seeing Fairfax defend Brinley, Darleen's anger surged anew. "Enough? What's enough, Fairfax? She might be the one who murdered Faraday, and you're protecting her?"

She had tolerated him protecting Starla in the past. But now, he was defending the person who might have killed his own brother? Darleen was beyond reason; she was on the verge of a complete breakdown.

"It's not as simple as you think," Fairfax said grimly.

"What's not simple? You saw her get out of Felix's car with your own two eyes. How is that not simple?"

Fairfax didn't want to argue with Darleen. He glanced at a nearby maid. "Is she up yet?"

His tone was curt, frayed by Darleen's hysterics. He seemed to have forgotten that the staff now answered only to Starla.

"Yes, it is."

She walked directly to the dining room. Garret signaled for the staff to serve her immediately.

The night before, Starla had mentioned she was craving something savory, so Garret had been up since dawn preparing Pasty and Tortellini.

Fairfax watched as Starla passed him without a single glance, and the fire in his chest, which he had been struggling to contain, roared to life. If that fire could burn, it would have incinerated the entire Yelchin estate.

"Starla, stop right there!"

He had never felt such intense frustration waiting for someone. He and Brinley had returned at six in the morning, and he had been waiting for Starla to wake up. It was now past nine.