A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 683

Harriet ignored the second call. And the third.

Infuriated, Darleen spun around and dealt Brinley a few more stinging backhands across the face. "I actually used to believe you were Harriet's precious little princess. Turns out, you're both nothing but a joke!"

Brinley slowly turned her head, her cheek glowing red.

"Just kill me," she whispered, her voice devoid of emotion.

She meant it. She genuinely didn't want to live anymore. After months of endless torture and shifting alliances, she knew with absolute certainty that there was no light at the end of the tunnel.

Darleen and Xenia could jump for joy all they wanted. Based on everything Brinley had witnessed, Starla was not going to be taken down that easily. If Starla didn't have some serious tricks up her sleeve, how could she have single-handedly dismantled the mighty Yelchin empire?

As far as Brinley was concerned, Darleen and Xenia's little fantasy was going to shatter into a million pieces very soon.

Darleen paused, her hand raised. "What did you say?"

Kill her?

"Do you think I wouldn't dare?" Darleen threatened, her eyes narrowing.

Brinley looked up at her, a bitter smirk tugging at her swollen lips. "No. I know you wouldn't dare. Not now. Because right now, you actually think you have hope."

She had heard everything they said earlier. People who believed they were on the verge of salvation didn't risk throwing their lives away. Darleen would never do anything to jeopardize the 'bright future' she thought was just three days away.

Darleen's face flushed. "You—"

"Though, to be fair," Brinley added softly, her gaze piercing through the older woman, "you've killed people before. Surely you aren't afraid of a little murder."

"Shut up! Shut up, you worthless bitch!" Darleen screamed, her hands clutching the sides of her head.

Every word Brinley spoke felt like a physical knife twisting into Darleen's heart. It was too much.

"You," Brinley whispered, her eyes locked onto Darleen's, "are the sinner."

The word echoed in Darleen's mind. Sinner. Harley had called her that. Annika had called her that. Even the furious relatives who had stormed the house today had shouted the exact same thing.

Was she really the cancer that had rotted the family from the inside out?

No. No, she wasn't! Back when her father-in-law's health was failing, Harley was the only one capable of holding the family together. If the company had fallen into the hands of Harley's incompetent brothers, it would have been bankrupt years ago. She was the one who had helped Harley secure total control! Without her, the Yelchin Group wouldn't have even survived this long.