A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 392

After hanging up, Fairfax massaged his temples, then rose and went upstairs without another word. He was powerless against Starla right now. Even if he wanted to do something to appease Darleen and Xenia, his hands were tied.

Once he was gone, Xenia looked at Darleen, her eyes welling with tears. "We could have had dinner if Fairfax hadn't kicked over the bucket. We had just finished cleaning the stairs."

Darleen closed her eyes, exhausted. "Then we'll do it again."

She hadn't wanted to bow her head before, but seeing that even Fairfax was helpless against Starla, she realized no one could stop her—not unless they could take away the powerful man backing her.

"Xenia, listen to Brinley. Go find Herbert tomorrow."

Xenia nodded. She had to find him. Whatever plans they made would be useless as long as Herbert stood behind Starla.

...

It was midnight before Darleen and Xenia finally earned their dinner. They were famished, but the food was so unappetizing that even in their hunger, it was hard to swallow. Darleen forced down half of her portion before giving the rest to Brinley. Xenia, however, ate every last bite.

Sally was in the room with Brinley. She had arrived late and had been helping Brinley get settled, shocked to find the state of the Yelchin household. She hadn't even had a chance to eat dinner herself. Just as she was thinking of finding something in the kitchen for Brinley, Darleen walked in carrying a bowl of what looked like scraps.

Sally frowned. "Mrs. Yelchin, my lady is still recovering from childbirth. Is this what the Yelchin family is feeding her?"

Brinley hadn't told Sally anything; she'd been too exhausted when she returned. Though starving, she had fallen asleep. Sally's voice woke her, and when she propped herself up to see what Darleen had brought, her face paled.

The Seabrook properties had been either burned or vandalized; she knew Sally couldn't be living in one of them.

"I'm at my son's place," Sally answered, then added with a sigh, "I'll move back as soon as the madam returns and gets the house sorted."

The implication was clear: her son and daughter-in-law weren't thrilled to have her there.

Brinley had considered asking if she could stay with Sally for her postpartum recovery, but hearing that, she knew she couldn't.

"I don't know when my mom will be back," she lamented.