A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1190

Fairfax was furious. So many lives lost...

"What Yardley did to your family wasn't just about the past! It was about Starla, too!" Amos fired back. "He might have been a terrible brother while she was alive, but he's still her blood."

Yardley was a bloodthirsty predator. He didn't know the first thing about being a loving sibling, but he fundamentally understood that Starla was his. Her sudden, violent death had undoubtedly dealt him a massive psychological blow.

Did Fairfax honestly think Yardley's brutal retaliation was solely about his mother? Those were his only two remaining family members.

"You're obsessing over the fact that your family died at Yardley's hands. But in his mind, you're the reason Starla is dead!" Amos pointed out harshly.

Fairfax flinched violently at the accusation.

"Was it just me? He was the one who—"

"He blames you, and you blame him."

When it came to Starla, they were trapped in a toxic echo chamber of finger-pointing. Yardley had channeled his grief and rage into annihilating the Yelchins, while Fairfax was still stubbornly demanding a pound of flesh in return.

"I will not let this go!" Fairfax snarled, his logic completely scrambled by rage. He didn't want to debate. He just wanted to put a bullet in Yardley's head.

"Then don't let it go," Amos said coolly. "But don't call me about it."

"You—"

"Bottom line: I'm not helping you. And don't even think about dragging my men in Cyrus Sea into your suicide mission!"

Without waiting for a response, Amos ended the call.

For a man who usually prided himself on loyalty, he had shut his friend down with brutal efficiency. There was no room for loyalty here—not unless he wanted to dig mass graves for his own people.

Yvonne, who had been woken up by the argument, rolled over and draped an arm across his waist, deeply satisfied with his firm refusal.

Just as Starla had once said—she was always the one who would be sacrificed.

...

Back in Smaro Town.

Though Starla had no desire to hear updates about Fairfax, Herbert continued to deliver them daily.

"Fairfax has rallied his men in Cyrus Sea. He's planning to move on Maxlandia in secret to take down your brother," Herbert informed her.

"Not planning to," Starla corrected softly. "He will."

Fairfax was the kind of man who would scorch the earth for a grudge. Given the sheer scale of the massacre Yardley had inflicted on his family, there was no way Fairfax was going to swallow that kind of humiliation.