A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 814

"Starla, give me some time," Herbert said, breaking the silence. He just needed a little more time to handle the situation with Brinley.

Some time.

Those words echoed mockingly in her head. Fairfax had said the exact same thing to her once.

*"Faraday just died. Give me some time to get things sorted."*

Back then, Fairfax had acted like Brinley was the most fragile creature on earth, rushing to the Yelchin Estate every single day to comfort her. When Starla had gotten upset, he had hit her with the same excuse. *Give me some time.* And the more time she gave him, the more time Brinley stole from her.

Now, here was Herbert, asking for the exact same thing. Over the exact same woman.

"Why?" Starla demanded.

With Fairfax, she could almost understand it in hindsight—he hadn't known the truth. He thought the baby was his dead brother's. But what was Herbert's excuse?

She just wanted one valid, logical reason why Herbert was suddenly playing her knight in shining armor.

"She's my father's mistress!" he insisted.

"There's no way."

She didn't believe it for a second. Anyone who had lived in Marina City knew exactly what kind of man his father was. He was the most straight-laced, morally rigid man in the city. Tagging a man like that with a cheap scandal was an insult to her intelligence.

"I know you don't believe it," Herbert admitted.

Yet he was still feeding her the lie.

Suddenly, Starla was completely done talking. She turned her head toward Garret, who was standing nearby. "Send someone to kill Brinley right now."

Her tone was absolute ice. If Herbert was going to be hardheaded, she would be ruthless.

Garret nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

He turned and walked out to make the arrangements. Herbert shot up from the sofa, glaring at Starla with eyes that could freeze water. She met his stare without flinching.

So this was it. She and Herbert were officially done. Over Brinley.

The woman truly had a gift. First, Fairfax had repeatedly abandoned her for Brinley. Now, Herbert was burning their relationship to the ground for the same reason.

Let it burn. She didn't care.

She had learned her lesson with Fairfax, and she hadn't fully opened her heart to Herbert anyway. As for the fact that she had saved his life back then? Whatever. Whether it was Fairfax or Herbert, she would just tell herself she had saved a stray dog.