A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1224

Garret mentally kicked himself for asking such a stupid question.

Alone in his study, Yardley pinched the bridge of his nose, a headache throbbing at his temples.

"Heartless little brat."

To vanish in such a spectacular, devastating way. Their father had been bedridden in the hospital out of sheer grief over her 'death.' Did she not know? To be this ruthless and not even send a secret message...

Was she really that disgusted by everything that had happened? Did she resent them that much?

The more Yardley thought about it, the angrier he got. Yet, simultaneously, the suffocating grief that had plagued him for months began to lift.

No matter what she had pulled, as long as she was breathing, that was enough.

...

Smaro Town.

Herbert received the intelligence almost immediately. Knowing Fairfax had mobilized a massive search team told him everything he needed to know. And Yardley was on the hunt, too.

It was spring, and the wild mountain berries were perfectly ripe.

Starla and Romy returned to their rustic cabin with baskets full of the vibrant, tart fruit.

"These make amazing preserves," Romy said, setting the basket down. "Really good for you."

"They're too sour," Starla replied softly.

"Not once you cook them down into jam."

Starla didn't reply. She had been speaking very little lately.

She had tried to run away once, but Herbert had caught her. Romy had genuinely tried to help her, but she had vastly underestimated Herbert's terrifying obsession. He kept Starla under maximum security.

"Aren't you going to answer?" Romy asked.

Starla snapped back to reality. She looked at Romy, took a deep, steadying breath, and hit the green button. She held the phone to her ear without saying a word.

"Starla, it's me," Tanya's voice came through, strained and urgent.

Hearing her friend's voice, Starla let out a tiny breath. Fairfax was a man of terrifying means. Given the timeline, whatever physical trauma he had suffered upon leaving Maxlandia must have healed by now.

And Marina City... that place was her living nightmare.

"Why are you calling out of nowhere?" Starla asked.

"Caden Larson just called Darian," Tanya said quickly. "Fairfax probably knows you're alive."

Starla's blood ran cold. "What?"