A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 522

As Gabriel's definitive words hung in the air, Fairfax's grip on his cigarette tightened.

He remembered Caden's question: Why hasn't Brinley had an episode lately? Did she just forget?

He remembered how, shortly after Faraday's death, Brinley had caused scene after scene, citing her depression. And he remembered Starla telling him, more than once, “If she were truly depressed, she wouldn't just be making a scene. She'd be dead. She'd die so quietly you'd never even find her.”

At the time, he had condemned her for being so vicious. But now…!

"No depression?" he asked, though it wasn't really a question. His voice was low, seething with a serrated edge.

Gabriel nodded. "None."

Fairfax's mind flashed back to Starla's doctor, who had also been bribed, fired, and smeared in the press. That had been Brinley's doing, too, likely with Harriet Seabrook's help.

In that instant, the foundation of trust he'd held for his family crumbled into dust. Still, he desperately tried to salvage a piece of it. "Is it possible… that Starla did this?"

"Starla? What would she have done? Bribed the hospital director? Does she have any reason to do something like that right now?" Gabriel asked, genuinely puzzled.

If Starla were still fighting to win, then perhaps. But the fight was over. At this stage, she had no need for such schemes. She already had Brinley pinned down, completely powerless. Why would she bother with this?

"Why wouldn't she? She wants to destroy my trust in Brinley, to destroy my faith in the entire Yelchin family!" Fairfax argued.

She'd only had a couple of bites when her phone buzzed. A glance at the screen showed Fairfax's name. She immediately flipped the phone face down on the table. The last thing she wanted was to let him ruin her meal, knowing that provoking him would only sour her own mood.

Herbert had already seen the caller ID. "Fairfax?"

"Ignore him," Starla said with a casual wave of her hand.

Herbert let out a low chuckle.

"What are you laughing at?" Starla asked.