A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 934

"You didn't object when it came to the Fairfax situation either," Yardley pressed.

Hearing Herbert spell it out finally made Yardley understand why Starla was so livid. But from his perspective, making tough, calculated decisions was just a part of life. He hadn't actually let that old bastard Licht take her away. He just wanted the assets while doing his best to protect her simultaneously.

Things like this happened constantly in the Hoggart family. If she threw a fit every single time, she'd spend her entire life angry.

Herbert's temples throbbed. Yes, he hadn't objected. Which meant he had hurt her just as deeply as Yardley had.

Regret gnawed at him. Even though Yardley had promised to keep her safe, Herbert had known deep down that crossing this line would infuriate her. He just never imagined it would be the kind of anger that couldn't be fixed.

Now, he was living it. Just like Fairfax before him, he had completely lost the ability to reach her.

Yardley pulled out his phone and typed another text: [It's my fault this time. I shouldn't have disregarded your feelings. Come back first, and I'll respect whatever you decide from now on.]

Dealing with an emotionally fragile sister was exhausting. If it were anyone else, he would have put a bullet in their head by now, not sat here begging via text.

Herbert also sent a message: [Can't we just talk this out?]

The text carried a heavy sense of loss. Things had been so good between them back in Marina City. Losing her trust completely left a hollow ache in his chest.

But no matter what they sent, Starla's phone remained a dead end.

"I regret letting this time happen!" Herbert snapped, cutting him off.

With Starla gone, his suppressed fury was spilling over onto Yardley. He had known from the start that the Licht situation would upset her, especially when it involved Brinley Seabrook. She refused to compromise on that front.

He had known everything. But the assets Licht held were too crucial to pass up. He had convinced himself it would be a one-time thing. After they secured the deal, he would marry her, shielding her from the Hoggart family's ruthless politics so she would never have to be a pawn again.

Just this once. But that 'once' was all it took for her to run.

He knew exactly how much pain he had caused her. He used to hate Fairfax for hurting her, but now? He had driven the knife in himself, and he had twisted it deeper than Fairfax ever did.