A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 493

Did Starla really need someone to do chores? Of course not. This was all just a game to torture her, a way to grind her into the dirt, and she was preventing Sally from helping or even sharing food to make sure she felt every moment of it.

“She’s quite clever, isn’t she?” Brinley’s hands clenched into fists. But she was not ready to give in. She wouldn’t surrender so easily.

She stormed away from Sally and was heading back to the main house when she ran into Darleen, who was in the middle of her own chores. Seeing Darleen dressed like a common maid, Brinley felt a surge of contempt, conveniently forgetting that the food she’d eaten while recovering from childbirth had been earned by the labor of Darleen and Xenia.

Darleen looked up, her expression stripped of its usual warmth and affection. “You bitch,” she spat, her eyes filled with scorn.

The insult hit Brinley like a slap, and her face instantly darkened. “Why are you yelling at me? If you have a problem, go take it up with Starla. That would actually show some backbone.”

To think that the three of them, once united in their cause, were now turning on each other, all because of Starla’s machinations.

Darleen’s gaze was no longer that of a mother-in-law but of someone looking at a mortal enemy. “Backbone? I have no backbone! I couldn’t even see you for the snake you are! What kind of strength is that?”

At this point, Darleen didn’t care about appearing strong anymore. Her deepest regret was not recognizing Brinley’s true nature sooner, treating her like a precious treasure when she was anything but.

She regretted it all. If she had known Starla was capable of this, she would have done anything to stop her from marrying into the family, even if it meant dying in front of Fairfax.

And she regretted Brinley. Back then, Brinley had a flourishing business, and then there was that other matter… when Harley Yelchin was abroad… The memories of why they had chosen Brinley as Faraday’s wife now felt like a dagger in her heart. With the family in this state and Harley still away, she knew the official story of him being tied up with business was a lie. She knew exactly what he was doing overseas.

“She forced me, couldn’t you see that?” Brinley gasped. “Fine, believe what you want!”

Darleen didn’t have much strength, and Brinley managed to shove her away. Darleen stumbled back, glaring at her with pure hatred. It was clear she was convinced of Brinley’s guilt.

Brinley didn’t care. As long as Fairfax believed her, that was all that mattered. The opinions of Darleen and the others were worthless. She only needed Fairfax. Deciding she was done with the confrontation, she turned to go back to her room.

Seeing this, Darleen let out a cold, humorless laugh. “There’s no one to do your work for you now. Are you planning on starving tonight, too?”