A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 1049

Yvonne looked at Starla and sighed again. "What a mess." She genuinely didn't know what else to say. "What are you going to do?"

Her heart ached for her. Starla had never experienced a love that was completely hers. The men who claimed to love her didn't actually love her at all. When you truly love someone, you don't offer them up as a sacrifice.

Look at Amos. Over the years, Yardley had constantly dangled bait in front of him, offering massive incentives in exchange for Yvonne. But Amos never once considered it, even if it meant being stuck in Cyrus Sea forever.

But Starla? Fairfax claimed to love her, yet let his family tear her to pieces in Marina City. Herbert had acted like her ultimate protector, but it was all a lie. Even her own brother viewed her as an asset.

"What can I do?" Starla's voice dropped, growing chillingly cold. "One day, I will tear them all apart."

Even stuck here in Cyrus Sea, she hadn't stopped plotting. When the world abandons you, the only rule is not to abandon yourself. Whether she was trapped in Sylvan Vale or here, her plans in the shadows had never ceased.

In her world, no one could be relied on. She had to save herself.

Yvonne swallowed hard, slightly unnerved by the lethal tone, but quickly realized it made perfect sense. Given what Starla had been through, this was the only sane reaction.

Starla glanced at her. "I envy you a bit."

"Why?"

"Amos never gave up on you." He might seem goofy at times, but Amos was fiercely loyal when it counted.

"You'll find someone who will never give up on you, too," Yvonne promised.

Alone in the massive living room, Fairfax held her tightly in silence. For once, Starla didn't fight him. She simply waited for him to speak. The heavy silence was clearly him battling his own inner turmoil.

Finally, he broke it. "Don't worry."

She raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet.

"I never thought about trading you for Susanna," he said softly.

Starla closed her eyes. Still, she said nothing.

Never thought about it? He just wasn't considering it right now. He was visibly agonizing over the decision, yet he dared to claim the thought hadn't crossed his mind.