A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 401

Holding their breath, the two women quieted their movements, straining to listen.

"What are your thoughts on you and Herbert?" Yardley asked over the phone.

"Herbert? There's nothing going to happen between us."

Herbert had been a great help to her lately, and she could feel an unspoken connection forming between them, but neither of them had crossed that line. Still, Starla felt it was best not to lead him on. She had already told him she was going back to Yoran Country and had no intention of staying. She was sure a man as perceptive as Herbert would understand the hint.

"Starla..." Yardley started to say something, then hesitated. "He'll be heartbroken to hear you say that."

His words sent a pang through Starla's heart.

"Anyway, I have to go. I'll head to Yoran Country as soon as I've wrapped things up here."

"Okay. I'll be waiting."

She ended the call, set her phone down, and returned to her book.

From their hiding spot on the staircase landing, Darleen and Xenia exchanged a look of pure shock.

"Are you still going to ask her?" Xenia whispered.

"Yes, of course I am!"

Darleen composed herself and led Xenia down the stairs. Starla heard them approach but didn't even bother to look up. Darleen sat down directly across from her, and only then did Starla raise her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.

In the past two days, Starla had rarely shown any overt aggression. Right now, her eyes were filled with amusement, but Darleen knew better. She knew what a vicious heart lay hidden beneath that calm smile. It wasn't Starla's hysterics she feared; it was her smile. That was the most terrifying lesson of the past few days.

"You hate me, don't you?" Darleen asked, cutting straight to the point. Starla had pushed her to the brink, and she had no energy left for subtlety.

At Darleen's question, Starla simply raised an eyebrow. "Hate?"

Ever since she had married Fairfax, Starla had known that Darleen was a heavy sleeper, almost always sleeping through the night. Except for recently, of course. Starla's torment had seen to that. But before all this, how had she ever managed to sleep at all?

Darleen's breathing grew ragged. "Just tell me why!" She didn't want to play these games. She just wanted to know the reason.

Starla laughed again. "You want to know why?"

Darleen stared at her, tense. Even Garret glanced over, curious. But Starla didn't elaborate. Instead, she delivered a chilling declaration. "After all the vicious things you've done over the years, is it so strange that I hate you?"

Darleen's mind raced.

"You knew, didn't you?" Starla's voice dropped to a near whisper. "When Brinley plotted to kill my children, you knew all about it."

At the mention of this, the color drained from Darleen's face.

Seeing her reaction, Starla knew for certain.