A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1143

Herbert was right. Starla was determined to get Tanya out of Smaro Town.

When she woke up from her nap and found Herbert wasn't in the room, she immediately dialed Tanya's number.

"You need to leave town right now," she urged the moment the call connected.

Tanya froze on the other end of the line. "What happened?"

"Darian is tearing the world apart looking for you. And as for me... you know my situation."

Hearing that, Tanya instantly understood. Starla couldn't afford to be exposed to anyone. If Tanya stayed, it was only a matter of time before Darian's search party tracked her down, bringing unwanted eyes directly to Starla's doorstep.

Truthfully, Tanya had been wrestling with this exact thought since she left the restaurant. She knew her presence was a walking liability for her friend. She had finally managed to escape Fairfax and break free from the Hoggart family. If they found out she was still alive, she'd be dragged right back into another suffocating nightmare.

Starla didn't want that, and neither did Tanya. She had already been planning her exit strategy.

"I understand. I'm already packing," Tanya replied, though the sudden phone call had made her heart skip a beat, fearing the worst had happened.

"Thank you," Starla said softly.

"For what? It's me. You absolutely cannot be exposed right now."

It didn't matter where Tanya went. To the rest of the world, she was still legally alive; it wouldn't be weird for her to pop up somewhere else. But if Starla had to relocate now, there was a huge risk her movements would be tracked. The only logical solution was for Tanya to leave.

"But you have to be careful with Herbert," Tanya warned, her voice laced with worry.

"You need to be careful of him, too," Starla replied.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

She ate slowly. She had never been fond of the local cuisine, so naturally, she didn't have much of an appetite. She also refused to eat anything he cooked himself.

Noticing her lack of enthusiasm, Herbert offered, "I can make you something for breakfast tomorrow."

"No need."

It was another flat rejection. It left a hollow, aching feeling in his chest.

"You really don't have to do all this," she continued quietly. "I don't need it."

"Is it that you don't need it, or that you just refuse to accept my gestures?"

"Our relationship isn't going to change just because you try to be nice."

Herbert fell completely silent.