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Chapter 0003

Penulis: Author Emmy
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-26 01:03:59

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 pulling away from Rowan’s embrace. “I’m so sorry, Janet. I tend to be… clingy sometimes. After my husband passed, I... I can’t help but seek physical comfort from others. It’s just psychological. It’s trauma, you understand, right?”

I took a slow sip from my teacup, letting the silence hang in the air for a few moments before I looked up at her with a calm, collected smile. "Of course, I understand. It's no big deal. Last time, there was a client who... hugged my husband’s thighs and cried while trying to take her clothes off. I remember when security had to carry her out of the cocktail party. Seems she might have the same... condition as you, doesn’t she?”

Amid her frozen smile and the stunned gazes of others, I casually passed the plate of lime salmon to Flora. “I’ve heard Omega-3 helps with emotional stability. Since there’s no medicine, maybe try something edible instead of depending on human comfort toys.”

Flora’s face flushed a mix of red and white, her lower lip trembling as if she were on the verge of tears.

“Excuse me,” Rowan suddenly interjected.

Yeah. I felt my insides tense. Here he was, rushing to her rescue.

But to my surprise, Rowan smiled gently at me, standing up. “Love, could you help me for a moment? I think the pin on my collar fell off.”

I blinked, my heart skipping a beat. Love? He never called me “love” in public.

"...Sure," I murmured, following him, my mind spinning.

Rowan led me a few feet away and the moment we were alone and out of earshot, the atmosphere changed.

The warmth in his smile quickly vanished.

He stepped closer, his breath brushing my cheek, his fingers sliding down the length of my arm before tightly gripping my wrist.

"What are you doing? I thought we were fixing your collar," I whispered in a shaky voice.

"You never play your role, do you?" he murmured into my ear, his voice a low growl. "If you could manage not to embarrass me out there, that would be helpful, for both of us."

I looked up at him, my eyes wide. “I’m sorry—Embarrass you? How about explaining why you haven’t told your friends we’ve been married for three years?”

“And why should I? I’d rather spare them the boring details,” he said, his tone dismissive, almost cruel. “That our marriage was arranged? That you were some doe-eyed girl fresh out of university who caught my grandmother’s eye?”

"How…how can you say that?" I gulped.

He leaned in, his lips almost grazing my ear, his voice barely a whisper but filled with command.

With his body so close to mine, invading my senses, I could barely breathe. "I don’t care how you act in private, but out there, you’ll act according to the script.

No questions, no drama. Understood?"

When we returned to the table, my pulse was still racing. The group looked at us with amused smiles.

“Gone for quite a while, weren’t you, lovely couple?” Paul teased, his eyes flicking between me and Rowan. Rowan merely smiled, offering no explanation.

I forced a tight smile as well, unable to find my voice.

Flora’s voice was saccharine sweet. “Rowan, could you help me cut the steak, please?”

Rowan didn’t hesitate. He reached for her plate, cutting the steak into small pieces before sliding it back to her.

“Thank you,” Flora said, her voice sweet, her eyes cast downward.

I paused, my fork hovering over my plate, before I continued eating. Each bite felt heavy, like swallowing stones.

I kept repeating Rowan’s warning in my mind: I must not embarrass him.

A few moments later, Flora pushed her empty glass toward Rowan. “Please, help me pour some water,” she said, her tone soft, almost pitiful.

Before Rowan could even move, Henry chuckled. “Come on, Flora, don’t stress the big CEO like that. His wife’s here—let him take care of her for once.”

Henry grabbed the glass and poured the water himself, but the tension at the table was palpable. I glanced at Rowan, then at Flora. She blinked, her lashes fluttering like she was trying to fight back tears.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “It’s just... a habit. Jared always took such good care of me at the table, if he were still around...”

Her words hung in the air, and I could see the tears about to spill from her eyes. Rowan sighed, his lips pressed together in a tight line, and he started to rise, clearly about to pour her some water.

But before he could, I forced a smile and took the kettle from the side table.

“It’s okay, Flora. I understand. Let me help you,” I said, my tone far too calm for the storm brewing inside me.

Her expression faltered for a moment before she spoke, her voice soft and tentative. “I don’t want to bother you…”

I met her eyes, my smile unwavering. “It’s the same whether you bother me or Rowan. After all, he’s my husband.”

Flora’s face drained of color, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “What are you implying, Janet?” Her voice quivered, but she wasn’t finished. “Why do you act like you don’t like me since you came?”

I frowned, what was she talking about?

The table fell silent. Henry and Paul scrambled to recover, one quickly saying, “No, you misunderstood,” while the other awkwardly tried to distract her with a change of topic. “Try this dish, Flora.”

Flora didn’t respond. Instead, she bit her lip, then glanced at Rowan with eyes full of unshed tears. “Rowan, didn’t you always say that your wife was the most considerate? Why does she always mock me in such a sarcastic way? To be honest... people who come uninvited should feel she’s the least welcome.”

My blood boiled at her words.

Was she implying that no one had invited me here?

It was her who had interfered in other people’s lives and barged into private plans!

“Miss Flora…” I sneered, about to cut her down with words, when Rowan suddenly stood and grabbed my hand. His grip was tight, his fingers warm, but the pressure was anything but gentle—it was like a vice.

“Love, you are drunk. Take the key and go back to the hotel.”

Seriously?

Drunk?

I didn’t even take a sip of wine!

“Have some rest,” he continued. “I’ll see you soon.”

I pulled my hand from his grasp, my chest heaving with restrained anger.

“I’ll be expecting,” I said through gritted teeth, enunciating each word carefully as I snatched the keys from his hand.

Behind me, I heard Flora’s soft, pitiful voice. “Oh… I’m sorry. Did I offend her? I didn’t mean to…”

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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

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  • 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

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  • 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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  • 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

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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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