A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 817

Hearing Starla lump him in with Fairfax—practically calling them the exact same kind of man—made Herbert's expression turn downright lethal.

Just as he opened his mouth to fire back, Starla's phone buzzed. It wasn't a text; it was a call. From Fairfax. The same number he had used to message her earlier.

Starla glanced at the screen, then shot a look at Herbert before answering it. "Hello."

"Herbert put a hit out on me. Did you know?"

The volume on her phone was loud enough for Herbert to hear every word. The dark scowl on his face deepened into something far more dangerous.

Starla lowered her gaze to look at Herbert. He was watching her intently, his cold eyes searching hers for any flicker of reaction to Fairfax's impending death. But he found nothing. If anything, the absolute zero temperature in her eyes just dropped another few degrees.

Did she still care about Fairfax? Was she angry because he had ordered the hit?

Starla looked away from him and spoke into the phone. "What's your point?"

"Do you really think a man capable of this is going to give you some simple, quiet life?"

"Ha!"

Starla let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Fairfax, you deserve to die! What does it matter to me if he kills you? Why are you even telling me this?"

She couldn't care less about whether Fairfax lived or died, just like she no longer cared about what kind of man Herbert really was. She just wanted all of them out of her life.

"You heartless woman," Fairfax spat. "I'm still your husband."

"I am!" Starla shot back. "Watching all of you get played like absolute fools was incredibly satisfying."

How could she not gloat?

"Herbert coming to Yoran Country with you wasn't an accident," Fairfax warned, his tone shifting. "I think he has an agenda. Watch your back."

Fairfax had no idea Herbert was standing less than two feet away from her. He was currently hiding out near the Cyrus Sea, but his mind hadn't stopped spinning. Back in Marina City, the mess with his family had blinded him, but now that he had some distance—and now that he knew Starla's true identity—Herbert's sudden obsession with her looked highly suspicious.

Herbert, still gripping Starla's wrist, looked murderous.

Oblivious to the danger, Fairfax continued. "After everything I put you through, I know you aren't some lovesick fool anymore. Just keep a clear head when it comes to him, alright?"