A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1233

Herbert was gone.

He had left Smaro Town, leaving only Romy and Starla behind. For now, at least, Fairfax's men hadn't tracked them down.

Starla sat alone on the porch all night.

When the first light of dawn broke, Romy stepped out quietly behind her. "You didn't sleep at all?"

"It's so quiet here," Starla murmured, looking up at the pale morning sky. The crisp air felt almost bracing.

"He went back to Marina City," Romy said.

Starla didn't respond.

"He actually kept his word. He let you go."

Let her go.

Ever since she had been brought to this secluded town, Starla had spent every waking hour trying to figure out how to escape Herbert. But he had never given her an inch. They had been locked in a suffocating stalemate.

Who could have guessed it would finally end like this?

Her chest felt tight, an uncomfortable pressure building behind her ribs.

"Him going back there..." Romy leaned against the railing. "It's going to be an all-out war with Fairfax."

Fairfax had been acting like a rabid dog lately, desperate for a target to unleash his vengeance on. He couldn't touch the Hoggart family, but with Herbert walking right back into his territory... it was the perfect outlet.

Even if Fairfax was outmatched, he was a man with nothing left to lose. And men like that were capable of anything.

"Of course, you don't have to choose either option," Romy added smoothly. "I can take you off the grid. Somewhere like Sylvan Vale. Somewhere even Yardley can't find you. We have a real head start this time."

With everyone's eyes glued to Herbert and Fairfax, the spotlight was off them. But they still had to worry about the Hoggart family's reach.

Romy knew exactly what had happened between Yvonne and Yardley years ago. If Amos hadn't stepped in, God only knew what would have become of Yvonne after tangling with a ruthless man like Yardley.

Because of that, Romy firmly believed going back to the Hoggart estate was a terrible idea. Sure, Elmer was Starla's biological father, but look at how Yardley had turned out under his roof. Could a family with that much power and blood on their hands really offer a safe haven?

Starla glanced at her but stayed silent.

"Take your time," Romy said gently. "Herbert made himself a massive target. Everyone is watching him right now, which buys you time."

She let out a soft breath. "I have to admit, I didn't expect it. The guy actually cares about you. He's no saint, but he stepped up."