A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 871

Starla's determination to leave was unshakable. Yardley, desperate to keep her in Yoran Country, placed an emergency call to their father, Elmer Hoggart. Elmer, however, was tied up with business and couldn't return. Fully aware of why Starla wanted to leave, Elmer tore into his son over the phone. "She's dead. So what? Why did you have to provoke your sister?" To Elmer, Yardley should never have sided with Herbert Farley over this. "Do you have any idea how heartbroken she is? You know exactly what she went through in Marina City! You of all people should know what she needs."

"Yes, Father," Yardley replied.

He knew what Brinley meant to Starla. But since Brinley was tied to Fairfax, he had assumed Starla would have moved on by now. He never expected this kind of fallout.

"If she leaves the country because of this, I won't forgive you!" Elmer snapped before hanging up.

Yardley looked at Starla. "You see? Father won't let you go. If you leave, he'll have my head. Do you hear me?" His tone remained remarkably gentle. Who would have thought that the lofty Yardley could be scolded like a child by his father? "Now that you've seen me get yelled at, surely you're not as mad anymore?" he coaxed helplessly.

Starla remained silent. No, it wasn't about being mad. Her eyes darkened with profound depths, and no one could guess what was running through her mind.

"Starla," Yardley sighed.

"I'm going to Ravena Country for a while. I need time to cool off," she said. She had only been back for a few days, but everything felt utterly chaotic. Logic told her to step away. She wasn't going to stay just because of her father's phone call.

She nodded. She needed to step out of this bubble to see things clearly. When you were trapped in the game, the truth was always obscured.

With a heavy sigh, Yardley reached out, his broad hand pulling her against his chest. "It seems your brother has truly disappointed you this time," he murmured.

Starla stayed silent in his embrace. His tone was gentle and doting, but after everything she had survived in Marina City, she knew better than anyone: you shouldn't fall for every display of tenderness. She used to believe family was different. Now, she realized that sometimes, even family couldn't be fully trusted.

"No matter what, can you at least wait until you see Father tomorrow before making a decision?" Yardley coaxed softly. "I admit I was wrong today. Okay?" When Herbert had approached him about the matter that morning, Susanna Yelchin had also been driving him crazy. He had carelessly agreed, never anticipating it would cause his sister so much pain or trigger such an extreme reaction.