A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 491

Fairfax’s breathing hitched again. His mind flashed back to the six months following Faraday’s death, a period when he was constantly returning to the Yelchin family estate.

It was during that critical time that Herbert had told him, more than once, “Brinley is a grown woman. She doesn’t need you to exhaust yourself looking after her. You should be focusing on your own family!”

He had also said, “She’s your sister-in-law, so manage your distance. Don’t let Starla get hurt!”

Finally, he had been blunt, “If you keep this up with Brinley, this ambiguous relationship, you’ll hurt Starla, and she will eventually leave you!”

And in the end, after Starla demanded a divorce, Herbert had simply supported it.

Fairfax had always assumed those were the words of a concerned friend. Only now did the true meaning sink in—every single word had been to protect Starla. He recalled how Herbert had repeatedly appeared to rescue Starla from difficult situations, especially when Harriet had been giving her trouble.

Fairfax let out a bitter, mocking laugh. “What right do I have to talk to you about friendship? What kind of friend am I to you?”

If they were truly friends, would they have ever reached this point?

“As it stands now,” Herbert said coolly, “you certainly don’t count as one. After learning how you manipulated your way into her life, do you really think you deserve to be?”

Fairfax had no answer. Did he deserve it? No. The word echoed in his mind with painful clarity. He didn’t deserve to be Starla’s husband, and he certainly didn’t deserve to be Herbert’s friend. He had known about the connection between Herbert and Starla, and he had stolen it for himself. How could he possibly deserve anything?

Fairfax nodded slowly. “You’re right. I don’t deserve any of it. I’m nothing, so what is there to deserve?”

As he finished speaking, Herbert’s car window slid up, shutting him out along with his icy gaze. In that final look, Fairfax knew that any bond of friendship between them was gone for good. And just as Herbert had said, he was unworthy.

Starla hated him to death because of the children, and now Herbert hated him just as fiercely for all the pain Starla had endured.

“What do we do now, sir?” Gabriel pressed. “If this continues, Yelchin Group might…” He trailed off, not daring to finish the sentence.

Darleen and Xenia had no idea how dire the company’s situation had become; they were still pinning all their hopes on Fairfax.

Fairfax’s face tightened with irritation. “First, investigate those incidents.”

“Yes, sir.”

An investigation was necessary. So much had happened, one thing after another, all stemming from his initial distrust of Starla, which had led them to this disastrous state of affairs.