A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 330

Starla paid Darleen no further mind, continuing her meal as if she were alone. Fuming, Darleen stomped back upstairs.

In Brinley’s room, hunger was setting in. Her postpartum recovery required more frequent meals than usual, and because of Starla’s dramatic arrival, she had already missed her mid-morning snack. Now, lunch was indefinitely delayed.

Darleen burst into the room, ranting. “That wretched woman! She’s occupying the kitchen on purpose! She’s dead set on making our lives miserable. I’m going to lose my mind! If Fairfax doesn’t get her out of here, I swear I will!”

“Are her people still in there?” Xenia asked.

“They’re making ‘afternoon coffee’!” Darleen mocked. “Can you believe it? She hasn't even finished her lunch, and they’re already preparing coffee for later. I hope she chokes on it!”

Xenia and Brinley’s expressions soured. This wasn’t about being prepared; it was a calculated move to control the household.

“So what do we do now?” Xenia asked. “What will Brinley eat?”

They could go out for food if they had to, but Brinley’s wound was still healing. She couldn’t be moved.

“Let’s just order takeout,” Darleen said, her voice tight with frustration.

“What? She’s still recovering from childbirth! You can't just feed her takeout with all the additives and greasy fast food,” Xenia protested.

“Then what do you suggest we do? She has the kitchen locked down. Our staff can’t get in to cook!”

Darleen felt like she was going to explode. What had their family done to deserve this?

“We’ll order something for now,” she decided. “And Brinley, if Fairfax can’t get rid of her, you should probably move to one of our other properties.”

…

Downstairs, Starla finished her meal. She placed her bowl on the table and spoke to Garret in a low, even voice. “Have our people burn down every property listed under the names of the Yelchin family.”

Garret’s expression didn’t change. “All of them?”

“Yes,” Starla confirmed. “Except for Susanna Yelchin’s apartment.”

Susanna was technically Darleen’s daughter, but Darleen’s favoritism was blatant. While Xenia had been showered with countless properties and assets, Susanna possessed only a single apartment—a gift for Starla from Fairfax that Darleen had condescendingly transferred into Susanna’s name.

“Understood,” Garret replied.