When Starla woke up the next morning, Tanya was already gone.
As she walked downstairs, she found Garret organizing the luggage. She hadn't kept many belongings at the estate, but when Garret came to pick her up, he had packed a significant amount of her personal items. Even though the property was technically in her name now, she had zero intention of ever setting foot in the place again.
Herbert was sitting in the living room, dressed in a sharp black suit. A cigarette rested between his fingers, his brow furrowed in deep thought.
Recalling the conversation they had the night before, a dull ache settled in her chest.
Hearing her footsteps, he turned. "You're up? There's no rush. If you need more time, I can push the flight back."
"I just woke up on my own. I'm not rushing," Starla replied softly. She had barely slept after staying up late with Tanya. She assumed she'd sleep in, but her internal clock woke her up anyway, and she couldn't drift back off.
Seeing her come down, Garret immediately instructed the staff to set the table for breakfast.
Herbert stood up, walking over to the base of the staircase, and extended his hand to her.
Starla hesitated, staring at his broad, warm palm.
When she didn't move, a gentle smile touched his lips. "What is it?"
"N-nothing," she stammered, placing her small hand in his.
Herbert's fingers closed around hers gently, but his brow instantly pinched. "Why are your hands like ice? You should be wearing something warmer." He frowned, eyeing her thin blouse.
Starla instinctively tried to pull her hand back. "It's always like this in the mornings."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Widow's Poison A Wife's Rebellion