A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1114

"He wouldn't sign the divorce papers, so your brother kidnapped the Yelchins—Xenia, Darleen, and Harley," Herbert explained. Yardley was crushing Fairfax's last ounce of hope.

A faint, cynical smile played on Starla's lips. "What else would he do? He'll make the same choice he always makes."

"You think he'll go to war with Yardley for you? Susanna is still in Cyrus Sea, you know."

It was a brutal double-bind. Surrender the papers to save his parents in Yoran Country, or fight and risk Susanna's life in Cyrus Sea.

"Then he only has one choice," Starla said, utterly unfazed. She fully expected to be abandoned again.

"We'll see," Herbert murmured. He knew Fairfax had chosen his family over Starla countless times before. But this time?

Starla frowned, her thoughts drifting.

"Don't worry. He's too busy to play detective."

"Logically, with me 'dead' and his family held hostage, he should have signed those papers without a second thought," Starla reasoned. People prioritized the living over the dead.

"He's not that simple," Herbert countered. He knew his rival well. Starla might rank below his family in his priorities, but she still mattered. Fairfax was likely losing his mind over her 'death'. Leaving her name on his marriage license might be the only sliver of connection he had left, and Yardley was ripping it away. He wouldn't sign it easily.