Chapter 0004

Janet’s POV

I walked into the hostel Rowan had booked for us already, my chest heavy with exhaustion. My head pounded, and my legs felt weak.

I dropped my travel bag on the floor, the sound echoing in the quiet room.

It was past midnight. The anniversary. The trip. All of it. Ruined.

And the baby.

Without thinking, I reached into my bag and pulled out the pregnancy test paper.

Yes, I had planned to tell Rowan the good news on our wedding anniversary. But now, as I thought about how he always defended Flora, how he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—see her manipulations, I felt my certainty slip away. For the first time, I questioned everything.

Is this child coming at the right time?

My hands tightened around the test.

“This has to end,” I whispered to myself. I stood, pacing the small room. Every step felt heavier. My body told me to sit, to rest, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. I needed to tell Rowan. I needed to lay it all out.

Walking into the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face, the icy sting bringing me back to reality. I stared at my reflection. My eyes were tired, my skin pale. I looked… broken.

I dressed quickly, packed my things, and zipped up my bag. It’s time to leave. Time to stop this mess.

Just as I was about to pull the zipper, the door swung open. Rowan walked in, the smell of alcohol hitting me before he even spoke.

“Where the hell are you going?” His voice was sharp, his tone unfamiliar.

I didn’t look at him. “Where I go isn’t your business anymore. Why don't you return to your darling Flora? ” I said, tugging the zipper closed, my hands trembling slightly.

Rowan stepped forward, blocking the door. “Stop being difficult, Janet. Why are you being so heartless? She was upset throughout the dinner thinking she’d hurt you.”

So he was more worried about Flora being upset than how his wife felt? I froze, my jaw tightening. “Excuse me?” I echoed, my voice rising. “Didn't you see how unreasonable she was to me at the dinner table? Are we talking about the same person?”

Rowan’s frown deepened, but his voice stayed steady. “Flora lost her husband, Janet. She’s been through hell. It’s quite normal for her to be emotional. She just needs people around her right now. Why can’t you understand that?”

“Understand?” I spat the word back at him, my heart pounding. Tell me what’s more heartbreaking than hearing your own husband defend another woman! “Is that why you spend hours with her? Nights, even? Is that why you’re so willing to drop everything for her? Because you ‘understand’ her? Or is it because she was your first love?”

Rowan’s face darkened, his lips pressed into a thin line. “You’re my wife. She’s just a friend. I really don’t get why you’re attacking her like this. Please, just be generous.”

Oh, so now I’m his wife— when he needs me to play the role of the ‘generous’ partner. How convenient.

The pregnancy test report still sat in my pocket.

Suddenly, I felt too tired to keep arguing, too exhausted to keep pretending.

“Alright, Rowan, just tell me one thing, if Flora’s so fragile and needy, why doesn’t she just hire someone to look after her? Why you?”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed, his voice turning ice-cold. “Money can’t fix everything, Janet. Not her situation. Don’t assume everyone’s like you.”

I froze. His words sliced through the air, hitting me harder than I expected.

My chest tightened as I stared at him, my voice trembling when I finally spoke. “So, this is how you see me, huh?” I forced a bitter laugh. “You think I’m just here for your money. That’s all I’ve been to you these past three years? The whole bloody time? A paycheck?”

Rowan stepped closer, his expression hard. “Watch your mouth, little girl. That’s not what I meant—”

“Don’t,” I interrupted, my voice shaking. “Don’t you dare twist this. You know what? I don't think we can continue this marriage anymore. Rowan, it’s time we—”

Before I could finish, His hand was at the nape of my neck, pulling me close. His grip was firm, his eyes blazing. He had me pinned against the wall, his cologne and dominating presence invading my senses yet again.

“What the hell are you doing?” I struggled, my heart racing as he leaned in, his face inches from mine.

“It’s time we what? Divorce?” His voice was a low growl, rough and filled with a simmering anger. “Who the hell gave you the courage to say that?”

His lips crashed against mine before I could respond. I pushed against him, trying to break free, but he was too strong. His kiss was desperate, almost angry, and for a moment, I was too shocked to react.

“Rowan, stop!” I gasped, raising my hand to slap him, but he caught my wrist, pinning me against the wall. His body pressed against mine, his breath hot on my skin.

“Don’t even think about it.” he whispered.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. My mind was spinning, my body betraying me as I felt myself softening against him. His scent, his warmth—it was all too familiar. Too overwhelming.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, breaking the moment.

Rowan stepped back, his hands dropping to his sides as he turned toward the sound. “I’ll get it,” he muttered, heading for the door.

I pushed past him before he could reach it, my heart still racing. “Yes, come in,” I called, my voice steadier than I felt.

Rowan shot me a look but said nothing as he disappeared into the bathroom.

The door creaked open, and there she was—Flora, standing in the doorway, holding out a covered plate and a blanket in her arms.

“What are you doing here?” I asked coldly, frowning.

Instead of answering, Flora stepped into the room, her eyes sweeping the space with practiced indifference. She quickly noticed the absence of Rowan.

“Where’s Rowan?” she asked, her tone light.

“He’s in the shower,” I said, sitting on the bed.

Her eyes flicked to my neck, then to my wrist, where faint marks from Rowan’s grip still lingered. A small smile curled her lips, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

“I noticed you’d be staying here, so I brought you a blanket,” she said, holding it out. “So you won’t freeze.”

She lifted the lid from the plate, revealing a piece of cake. “And since you left early, I figured you’d be hungry.”

I raised an eyebrow, unable to hide my surprise. “When did you start working as hostel service staff, Flora?”

She blinked, her smile faltering before she replaced it with her usual delicate expression. “You misunderstand me, Janet. I was just worried about you and Rowan. About what I said at dinner… don’t take it to heart. It wasn’t intentional.”

I stared at her, and didn't say a word.

Flora’s expression tightened, but she quickly recovered. “Do you hate me, Janet?” she asked, her voice soft. “Why are you always so mean to me? I know people think widows like me are bad luck or homewreckers, but I thought you’d be different.”

“No, Flora,” I said calmly. “I don’t hate you. I just want you to take care of yourself—and leave Rowan out of it.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she looked genuinely hurt. “If you don’t hate me, why are you so harsh? Why do you make things so hard for Rowan? He’s been through so much since Jared passed. Don’t you see how much it hurts him when you act this way?”

“Flora, I don’t care if you and Rowan had a thing in the past. But maybe it’s time you stopped interfering in his family now.”

Her smile vanished, replaced by a flicker of anger before she quickly masked it. “I never meant to upset you, Janet. Can’t we just stop this fight?” She reached for my hand, but I pulled away.

“Don’t touch me,” I said firmly.

Her eyes flashed, and before I could react, she shoved me. Hard.

I stumbled back, falling to the ground with a thud that sent pain shooting through my ankle.

In an instant, the plate slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor with a loud shatter.

Flora’s movements were sudden and wild. She grabbed a shard of the broken plate and slashed her arm with it, her scream piercing the air.

The bathroom door burst open, and Rowan rushed out, his eyes darting between us. “What the hell is going on?”

"I didn't do anything wrong to you, Janet," Flora suddenly said with tears streaming down her face. She held her bleeding arm and winced.

"What did you do?" Rowan's dark eyes shot up to meet mine.

Flora’s voice trembled as she spoke again. “It’s my fault, Rowan. Janet didn’t do anything. Please don’t be upset with her…”

“She’s lying!” I started, but the sharp pain in my foot and the weight of Rowan’s disappointed stare stopped me mid-sentence.

Rowan ignored me entirely, his focus solely on Flora as he helped her to her feet. My chest tightened as I watched him scoop her into his arms like she was the only one who mattered.

Pain shot through my ankle, but I bit back a cry, refusing to let them see.

“Rowan…” I began, but he didn’t even glance at me.