A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 803

Their eyes locked.

Seeing the raw chill in his gaze falter for just a split second, a massive wave of grievance washed over Tanya. The tears pooling in her eyes threatened to spill over.

Darian had been absolutely furious.

But seeing her like this, his resolve cracked. He let out a heavy, defeated sigh. "You..."

The punishing grip on her jaw loosened.

He rolled off her, taking his weight off her body. As the suffocating pressure vanished, Tanya let out a shaky breath of relief. But the very next second, Darian reached over and pulled her flush against his chest.

The crisp, intoxicating scent of cedarwood and musk washed over her.

"I really don't know what to do with you," he murmured against her hair. "I believe you, okay?"

He believed her about the hundred bucks.

When Tanya had first told him, he genuinely couldn't fathom his mother stooping to such a petty, ridiculous level. But after everything, he realized it was entirely possible.

"Did I force you to believe me?" Tanya muttered defensively.

Judging by his tone, he made it sound like she had twisted his arm into accepting her truth. But honestly? It didn't matter whether he believed her or not anymore. His validation wasn't what she was after.

"Then tell me, what exactly do you want?" Darian asked, his frustration spiking again at her combative attitude.

When he didn't believe her, she threw a fit. Now that he did, she was still acting like a cornered wildcat. He was completely out of his depth with her.

"I don't need you to believe me anymore."

It had all been a test anyway. And the result had left her bitterly disappointed. It mirrored the exact dynamic between Fairfax and Starla all those years ago.

When you saw the train wreck coming, the smartest thing to do was get off the tracks.

"Then tell me," he pressed. "What do you want?"

"What can you even give me?" she shot back, a bitter, mocking smile touching her lips.

With a family as vicious as the Lynns—just like the Yelchins—what kind of security could he actually offer her? Nothing. Not a damn thing.

"Stop comparing our relationship to theirs! We aren't them."

But looking at Starla and Fairfax's history, the interference wasn't just about the elders; it was the fact that their foundation had cracked under the pressure. Especially once Brinley Seabrook entered the picture.

"How are we any different?" Tanya challenged. "Is it because your family isn't exactly like the Yelchins? Or is it because we don't have our own version of Brinley Seabrook standing in the way? Oh wait... your mother already shoved *her* profile in my face."

Her.

Darian's childhood sweetheart. The woman with the flawless resume, beloved by every single elder in the Lynn family.

The moment Tanya mentioned her, the arms wrapped around her went entirely rigid.

That minute physical reaction sent a sharp pang of sorrow straight through Tanya's heart.

She gently but firmly pushed herself out of his embrace and looked him in the eye.

The stubborn, unyielding confidence he had worn just seconds ago was gone.