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Chapter 0002

Penulis: Author Emmy
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-26 01:03:43

Janet’s POV

The restaurant was alive with bright lights and louder laughter. Conversations spilled over each other, filling the air with cheer. But for me, it felt suffocating. Each step I took felt heavier as I walked through the door, searching. And then, I saw Rowan.

Rowan, naturally, stood out among them, effortlessly handsome and composed; his thick black hair, slightly drowsy eyes, straight nose and thin irresistible red lips surrounded by well-groomed beards.

He sat at a table near the back, surrounded by a group of people. Flora was right next to him, smiling. Laughing. Her hand rested lightly on the table beside his. My chest tightened, and heat crawled up my neck. I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat.

I stood there, frozen, while one of the men sitting across from Rowan leaned over and clapped him on the shoulder. His voice carried across the room.

"I can’t believe we’re all here again!" he said. "Honestly, we thought you and Flora would end up together."

I stopped breathing. The words hit me like a slap. Together? Rowan and Flora? My mind scrambled to make sense of it, but the man kept talking.

"You two were the perfect campus couple," he added with a laugh, nodding toward Flora.

Another man at the table chimed in, shaking his head as he sipped his drink. "I remember Jared almost losing his mind over you two. He was always so protective of Flora. Who’d have thought things would turn out like this?"

Campus couple? Rowan and Flora?

Why hadn’t Rowan ever told me this?

My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and my heart pounded against my ribs. This whole trip, his excuses, his concern for Flora—it all made sense now. They had a past. A past he’d never mentioned to me.

Rowan’s voice cut through the fog in my head. It was firm, almost defensive.

"We were young and stupid, Paul," he said, glancing at the man who had spoken. "That was a long time ago. Jared and I became good friends after that, and there’s no point bringing it up now. It’ll just upset Flora."

I saw Flora’s face crumble as tears welled in her eyes. She looked down, her expression soft and innocent, like she was the victim in all of this.

"Sorry, Flora," the first man—Henry, I assumed as Rowan called him before said quickly. He reached out to pat her on the back. "We didn’t mean to upset you."

"Yeah, we’re sorry," Paul added, his voice quieter.

Then Paul turned to Rowan, grinning. "Anyway, Rowan, are you married now? Or are you still the same old bachelor we knew back in the day?"

My breath caught. My pulse roared in my ears.

Married? Of course, he’s married! To me. For three years. It was arranged, yes, but it was a marriage after all!

But the way Paul asked that question—it was like he didn’t know. Like none of them knew.

Rowan’s perfect smile never faltered. He turned toward me, his eyes narrowing for just a moment before he recovered, extending his hand as if I’d always been right where he expected me to be.

“Yes,” he said smoothly. “I am married. And this is my wife, Janet.”

Every pair of eyes at the table turned to me. For a second, I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. But then I straightened my back, took his hand, and let him pull me closer to the table.

"Wow," Henry said, smiling. "You’re stunning, Janet."

Paul stood and gave me a quick side hug. "Christ Rowan, you’re one lucky man. Why didn't you tell us you married such a beautiful lady?"

Their compliments felt hollow, meaningless. I smiled politely though my mind was somewhere else, drowning in everything I’d just heard.

“Isn’t it said that the more precious the pearls, the more they should be hidden?” Rowan suddenly remarked, his tone soft as he looked at me.

I blinked, feeling my heart race as the words finally sank in. The other two laughed, their voices a blur in my ears.

That’s when I noticed Flora. Her expression had been tense ever since I arrived, her face drawn, her eyes flickering between us.

"But you told me didn’t you Rowan? " Flora said, casually reaching for the bottle of Leroy Les Charmes, as if nothing had happened.

“He sent an invitation, but I couldn’t come to his wedding—because I was busy with my own.” She shrugged, and the others exchanged surprised glances.

Her words hit me like a punch. My heart skipped a beat, and my eyes darted to Rowan. He was calm, too calm, his focus on his plate as if this was just another meal.

“He did? And you two got married so close to each other?” Paul asked, his jaw nearly hitting the table.

I forced myself to remain composed, throwing a questioning glance at Rowan, who returned it with a look just as unreadable.

He stayed silent for a moment, took a sip of tea, and then looked at us with a nonchalant shrug. “It’s just a coincidence, guys. There are only a few good days for weddings each year. I didn’t even send the invitations myself—my grandmother handled it. I think she’s just getting old and a little careless. If you really want to celebrate, we can do it for our tenth anniversary.”

Paul and Henry laughed, making more comments about how great our relationship must be.

I lowered my head, the words ringing in my ears like a sick joke.

Liar.

Someone who can’t even remember our third anniversary is talking about a tenth?

Why did he lie?

If Flora’s words were true, then Rowan must’ve rushed into marriage right after her wedding. Was it out of anger? Jealousy? Did he resent her for choosing someone else?

I stared at him, searching for answers in his calm demeanor. Was our marriage his way of spitting her? Or was it something else entirely?

Paul clapped his hands. “Oh, Rowan! You really changed a lot after getting married, hey Janet, I hope my friend has not stressed you too much.”

I smiled faintly, playing along. “Oh, no. Rowan’s a sweet husband,” I said, though the words felt heavy on my tongue. Rowan reached for my hand, rubbing it softly, his touch warm but distant.

Henry nudged Rowan’s shoulder and said, “Before you two got here, we were talking about kids. My boy’s a handful right now. I keep telling you guys, five-year-olds are little devils…” He chuckled before turning to Rowan. “So, Rowan, since you’ve been married for three years now—any plans for kids?”

My heart skipped a beat.

Rowan paused, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, holding my hand, he smiled and said, “I think children are a blessing. A little life has endless possibilities.”

He looked at me, his gaze softening, as if he was choosing his words carefully. “As for us… maybe we’re not blessed enough right now. But I’d love to have a child with the woman I love, if she’s ready.”

My pulse quickened. Could he really mean it? Did Rowan actually feel that way, or was he just pretending for his friends, like he always had before?

If he knew I was carrying our child, our little life, would he be happy?

The thought made my lips curl into a small, uncertain smile.

Just then, a charming waiter brought our dish of tuna tartare, and the conversation shifted smoothly from kids to sports, politics, and business.

But I couldn’t help but notice Flora. Her expression had grown increasingly gloomy. It was as if she were drifting out of the conversation, and for some reason, she looked… disappointed.

“Are you alright?” I hesitated before asking quietly.

She sniffed suddenly, and the room fell silent, all eyes turning toward her. Rowan immediately looked at her, his face softening with concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Flora’s hand went to her mouth, and she started to cry. “I’m sorry, I just…” She choked on a sob. “Seeing you all here, so happy, makes me want to cry.” Her voice faltered. “If my husband were here too…” She trailed off, then burst into tears again.

Rowan placed one arm over Flora's shoulder and handed her another tissue from his breast pocket.

She leaned into his embrace, her sobs quieting as she buried her face in his chest.

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  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0003

    Janet’s POV Henry and Paul exchanged glances in bewilderment. They had obviously never seen anything like this before. I smiled bitterly. It was the first time I’d seen it too. How could anyone cling to another woman's husband like this? “Uh… You okay, Flora?” Henry asked hesitantly, his voice tentative, like he was walking on thin ice. Flora blinked, then smiled, but it was the kind of smile you wear when you want people to stop asking questions. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks, Henry.” Her voice was soft, almost fragile. For a moment, I wondered if she believed her own words. Because clearly, she wasn’t ready to let go of Rowan. Paul looked more uneasy now, a nervous laugh escaping his lips as he spoke, “I know you and Rowan are close friends, but… maybe you should consider his wife’s presence?” Flora’s eyes widened slightly, as though she’d just realized the situation wasn’t entirely appropriate. She looked at me, blinking her big eyes as if apologizing, before reluctantly pulli

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  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    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 o

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-26
  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0005

    Janet’s POV Leaning against the wall for support, I managed to call room service. “Executive floor, room 219. I think I have a sprained ankle, it’s really painful.” Before I could hear a response, I hung up, the pain radiating through my body, intensified by the image of Rowan and Flora. I had seen how women flocked to Rowan, eager for his attention, only to be met with his usual indifference. I thought he was ruthless with all of them—but seeing him rush off with Flora changed everything. Minutes later, I was wheeled into the nearest hospital. The hospital smelled of antiseptic, sharp and cold, and the sound of muffled voices filled the air. I limped to the receptionist’s desk, every step sending pain shooting up my leg. But my ankle wasn’t the worst of it. My chest felt like it was being squeezed, like the weight of everything was crushing me. I saw him. Rowan. He was standing outside Flora’s room, his hand resting on the doorframe. His head was down, but when he looked

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  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter six

    JANET'S POV “Janet, are you alright? What happened?” Jasper’s voice cut through the line, sharp with concern. His tone was so intense it made my chest tighten. Before I could answer, he added, “I’m coming.”I told him my address and hung up.For someone I once refused to acknowledge as family, Jasper’s concern only made me feel more guilty than comforted — especially when I compared it to how Rowan had treated me…I let out a shaky breath, limping to a quiet corner of the hospital. My ankle burned with pain, but my chest felt worse—like something heavy was pressing down on it. My heart still raced from everything that happened.Rowan was right about one thing: I was a mess. And I needed rest — with my family.For the first twenty five years of my life, I thought I was an orphan. Until three months ago.That was when my birth family found me. Jasper — the one who claimed to be my eldest brother — reached out. He showed me the DNA test, told me he’d been searching for me for years, and

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  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapters seven

    Janet’s POVMy grip tightening on my bag as I stared at the woman in front of me. Mrs. Caroline. Her blonde hair was styled in an impeccable bob , with her subtle layers that framed her heart shaped face. I had no patience left, nor energy for her cruel words.Mrs. Caroline’s nostrils flared. “How dare you, Janet?” she snarled. “How dare you talk back to me like that?” Her eyes searched mine, like she was trying to figure out where I found the audacity to stand up to her.“Maybe you should mind your own business,” I said, turning to leave.The slap landed before I even saw it coming.A sharp sting burned across my cheek. My head snapped to the side.“I can’t wait for Rowan to throw you out,” she spat, her voice dripping with hatred. “I wonder what Grandma saw in you that made her force my son into this marriage. You are nothing, Janet. Just a poor girl from the streets. You never belonged here.” She spat again . " Always know your place , just because you are married into our famil

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  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0008

    Janet’s Pov“What the hell is happening here?”Rowan’s voice cut through the air like a blade. It was sharp, cold, and filled with something unreadable. My heart clenched, but I refused to look weak.“So, you’re back, huh? Finally taking a break from playing knight in shining armor for your best friend’s wife?” My words dripped with sarcasm, sharper than I intended. But he said nothing, only frowned slightly.He stood at the doorway, his piercing gaze sweeping over the room—over the mess his mother had made of my things. Then his eyes landed on me.“Rowan! Thank God you’re home!” Mrs. Caroline’s voice was sharp, triumphant. She snatched the divorce papers from the table and shoved them toward him. “Read this! Look at what this… this woman is demanding in the divorce agreement! She thinks she can walk away with everything! I will make sure she leaves with nothing.”Rowan took the papers, his jaw tightening as his eyes scanned the pages. His fingers clenched tighter with every word. A f

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-03
  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0001

    Janet’s POV When I excitedly packed my travel bags and rushed downstairs to my husband’s car, there was already another woman sitting in the passenger seat. Rowan was gently wiping Flora’s tears, and I slid into the back seat and watched them in utter shock and disbelief, yet I knew I couldn’t say anything. Because Flora had lost her husband, Jared, three months ago. And Rowan, as their best friend, had taken it upon himself to care for her. I understand that Rowan and Jared were close. They had known each other since High school. And I never minded him helping her out before. After all, I knew the pain of losing someone close. It was like living under constant rain. However, it had been 3 months! Rowan dropped everything whenever Flora called, even in the middle of the night. Wouldn’t that be too much for anyone? Just last night, he had gone to the hospital to comfort her after another round of terrible nightmares. And now, here she was, in our car. “Don’t you think you

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-26

Bab terbaru

  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0008

    Janet’s Pov“What the hell is happening here?”Rowan’s voice cut through the air like a blade. It was sharp, cold, and filled with something unreadable. My heart clenched, but I refused to look weak.“So, you’re back, huh? Finally taking a break from playing knight in shining armor for your best friend’s wife?” My words dripped with sarcasm, sharper than I intended. But he said nothing, only frowned slightly.He stood at the doorway, his piercing gaze sweeping over the room—over the mess his mother had made of my things. Then his eyes landed on me.“Rowan! Thank God you’re home!” Mrs. Caroline’s voice was sharp, triumphant. She snatched the divorce papers from the table and shoved them toward him. “Read this! Look at what this… this woman is demanding in the divorce agreement! She thinks she can walk away with everything! I will make sure she leaves with nothing.”Rowan took the papers, his jaw tightening as his eyes scanned the pages. His fingers clenched tighter with every word. A f

  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapters seven

    Janet’s POVMy grip tightening on my bag as I stared at the woman in front of me. Mrs. Caroline. Her blonde hair was styled in an impeccable bob , with her subtle layers that framed her heart shaped face. I had no patience left, nor energy for her cruel words.Mrs. Caroline’s nostrils flared. “How dare you, Janet?” she snarled. “How dare you talk back to me like that?” Her eyes searched mine, like she was trying to figure out where I found the audacity to stand up to her.“Maybe you should mind your own business,” I said, turning to leave.The slap landed before I even saw it coming.A sharp sting burned across my cheek. My head snapped to the side.“I can’t wait for Rowan to throw you out,” she spat, her voice dripping with hatred. “I wonder what Grandma saw in you that made her force my son into this marriage. You are nothing, Janet. Just a poor girl from the streets. You never belonged here.” She spat again . " Always know your place , just because you are married into our famil

  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter six

    JANET'S POV “Janet, are you alright? What happened?” Jasper’s voice cut through the line, sharp with concern. His tone was so intense it made my chest tighten. Before I could answer, he added, “I’m coming.”I told him my address and hung up.For someone I once refused to acknowledge as family, Jasper’s concern only made me feel more guilty than comforted — especially when I compared it to how Rowan had treated me…I let out a shaky breath, limping to a quiet corner of the hospital. My ankle burned with pain, but my chest felt worse—like something heavy was pressing down on it. My heart still raced from everything that happened.Rowan was right about one thing: I was a mess. And I needed rest — with my family.For the first twenty five years of my life, I thought I was an orphan. Until three months ago.That was when my birth family found me. Jasper — the one who claimed to be my eldest brother — reached out. He showed me the DNA test, told me he’d been searching for me for years, and

  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0005

    Janet’s POV Leaning against the wall for support, I managed to call room service. “Executive floor, room 219. I think I have a sprained ankle, it’s really painful.” Before I could hear a response, I hung up, the pain radiating through my body, intensified by the image of Rowan and Flora. I had seen how women flocked to Rowan, eager for his attention, only to be met with his usual indifference. I thought he was ruthless with all of them—but seeing him rush off with Flora changed everything. Minutes later, I was wheeled into the nearest hospital. The hospital smelled of antiseptic, sharp and cold, and the sound of muffled voices filled the air. I limped to the receptionist’s desk, every step sending pain shooting up my leg. But my ankle wasn’t the worst of it. My chest felt like it was being squeezed, like the weight of everything was crushing me. I saw him. Rowan. He was standing outside Flora’s room, his hand resting on the doorframe. His head was down, but when he looked

  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    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 o

  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0003

    Janet’s POV Henry and Paul exchanged glances in bewilderment. They had obviously never seen anything like this before. I smiled bitterly. It was the first time I’d seen it too. How could anyone cling to another woman's husband like this? “Uh… You okay, Flora?” Henry asked hesitantly, his voice tentative, like he was walking on thin ice. Flora blinked, then smiled, but it was the kind of smile you wear when you want people to stop asking questions. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks, Henry.” Her voice was soft, almost fragile. For a moment, I wondered if she believed her own words. Because clearly, she wasn’t ready to let go of Rowan. Paul looked more uneasy now, a nervous laugh escaping his lips as he spoke, “I know you and Rowan are close friends, but… maybe you should consider his wife’s presence?” Flora’s eyes widened slightly, as though she’d just realized the situation wasn’t entirely appropriate. She looked at me, blinking her big eyes as if apologizing, before reluctantly pulli

  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0002

    Janet’s POV The restaurant was alive with bright lights and louder laughter. Conversations spilled over each other, filling the air with cheer. But for me, it felt suffocating. Each step I took felt heavier as I walked through the door, searching. And then, I saw Rowan. Rowan, naturally, stood out among them, effortlessly handsome and composed; his thick black hair, slightly drowsy eyes, straight nose and thin irresistible red lips surrounded by well-groomed beards. He sat at a table near the back, surrounded by a group of people. Flora was right next to him, smiling. Laughing. Her hand rested lightly on the table beside his. My chest tightened, and heat crawled up my neck. I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat. I stood there, frozen, while one of the men sitting across from Rowan leaned over and clapped him on the shoulder. His voice carried across the room. "I can’t believe we’re all here again!" he said. "Honestly, we thought you and Flora would end up together." I

  • DIVORCED, BUT SPOILED BY MY FIVE BROTHERS    Chapter 0001

    Janet’s POV When I excitedly packed my travel bags and rushed downstairs to my husband’s car, there was already another woman sitting in the passenger seat. Rowan was gently wiping Flora’s tears, and I slid into the back seat and watched them in utter shock and disbelief, yet I knew I couldn’t say anything. Because Flora had lost her husband, Jared, three months ago. And Rowan, as their best friend, had taken it upon himself to care for her. I understand that Rowan and Jared were close. They had known each other since High school. And I never minded him helping her out before. After all, I knew the pain of losing someone close. It was like living under constant rain. However, it had been 3 months! Rowan dropped everything whenever Flora called, even in the middle of the night. Wouldn’t that be too much for anyone? Just last night, he had gone to the hospital to comfort her after another round of terrible nightmares. And now, here she was, in our car. “Don’t you think you

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