A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 513

Giving Starla all their money, the house, and the company was out of the question. No matter how much she tormented them, Darleen and Fairfax would never agree.

That night was an agonizing ordeal for everyone. The heat and hot water remained off, and Garret had even informed them that starting the next day, they would be moved to the basement. Their upstairs rooms were now off-limits.

The news was so shocking that Darleen's blood pressure skyrocketed, and she fainted on the spot.

Later, in her frigid room, Brinley lay in bed for two hours, but her body generated no warmth. The comforter was thin, a preference she now deeply regretted. She had always disliked heavy blankets, but now she would have given anything for one.

Sally was also wide awake, shivering.

Swallowing her pride, Brinley, who had earlier rejected Sally's offer, finally broke the silence. "Get in. You can sleep here."

Without a word, Sally grabbed her own comforter and climbed into Brinley's bed. This was no time for pride; the cold felt lethal. She spread her blanket over Brinley's and quickly burrowed underneath. The chill in the air was so sharp that even leaving a hand exposed was painful.

Brinley wrinkled her nose at the faint smell coming from Sally, a lingering scent from the pet enclosures. But Sally felt the same way about Brinley. Neither of them had dared to brave the icy water for a wash.

Things were no better in Darleen and Xenia's room. Caught completely off guard by Starla's move, they huddled together instinctively, but even their combined body heat did little to ward off the biting cold.

"Mom, I'm so cold," Xenia whimpered.

"That bitch! I swear I'll kill her one day," Darleen hissed through chattering teeth. The torment was pushing her to the edge, filling her with a murderous rage.

"I want you," Starla continued, her voice soft, "to suffer a fate worse than death."

"You…"

Darleen was so angry that she was at a loss for words. A fate worse than death? That's exactly what this was. Before, Starla's torment had been psychological and physical exhaustion. Now, it was an all-encompassing assault on body and soul. They couldn't eat well, couldn't sleep, and were forced to do grueling labor. What else could you call it?

Darleen took a deep breath. "What will it take for you to let us go? Tell me!"

In that moment, she was ready to surrender. A single night of freezing misery had shattered her resolve.