A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1064

Hearing the phrase "used to it" made Yvonne pause, her heart aching for Starla.

She was used to it? What kind of hell did someone have to go through to get used to that?

Yvonne took a deep breath. "He doesn't deserve you."

"No, he doesn't," Starla agreed.

Every time she had opened her heart, it had been a mistake. Loving Fairfax was a mistake. Falling for Herbert was a mistake.

"That's why my heart is closed off now." It didn't matter what tricks they played anymore. As far as she was concerned, men were entirely unreliable. Fairfax and Herbert were cut from the same treacherous cloth.

"Let me help you run away," Yvonne offered. Even though Amos had said it would mean war with Fairfax, Yvonne couldn't just sit back and watch. So what if bridges burned? Amos might act simple-minded sometimes, letting Fairfax think he was the smarter one, but in a real fight, Yvonne knew exactly who would come out on top.

Starla looked at her.

"I mean it," Yvonne said earnestly. "I'll help you."

Starla shook her head. "No need."

"Starla..."

"I appreciate the offer, really. We haven't even known each other that long, and you're already standing by me." It just proved how utterly both Fairfax and Yardley had failed as human beings.

"This isn't the time to be touched," Yvonne urged. "You need to pull yourself together and get out."

"I will run," Starla sighed. "Just... not yet."

"Then when?"

"It's the only way. Otherwise, I'll never be free of them."

Starla had originally considered fighting back directly, but she'd realized that even if she won, it wouldn't bring her peace. It required a more permanent solution.

Yvonne nodded resolutely. "Alright. We'll do it. This time, they're going to lose you for good."

They needed to feel the finality of it down to their bones. Whatever pain they suffered afterward would no longer be Starla's problem.

...

Dinner was a tense affair. Amos and Yvonne were nowhere to be seen. Neither could stomach looking at Fairfax right now, so they'd opted to eat elsewhere.

That left only Fairfax and Starla at the dining table.