Rowan’s Point of View
I sat at my desk, staring at the computer screen. The numbers on the spreadsheet blurred together. My mind wasn’t on work- it was on Janet. Where was she? Why hadn’t she come home? I thought telling her about Grandma’s birthday would at least make her show up, but nothing.
A noise from outside my office made me look up. Voices in the hallway. Flora was talking to someone, her voice high and upset.
“I need you to deal with this clinic!” she was saying. “They are completely unprofessional!”
This was the third time I’d paid for Flora to see a therapist, and none had worked out. But wanting to shut down an entire clinic? That seemed too much.
A calmer voice replied, trying to soothe her. I recognized it–Alex, my assistant.
“Ms. Reynolds, please calm down,” Alex said. “We can investigate the matter and handle it properly.”
“No!” Flora’s voice got louder. “That clinic needs to be sued! They let their staff harass patients!”
I stood up, annoyed. I hated noise in my office. I walked out to see what was going on.
Alex looked embarrassed when he saw me. “Sir, I apologize for the disturbance. I know you don’t like-”
“It’s fine,” I cut him off, looking at Flora. Her eyes were red, and tears were streaming down her face.
As soon as she saw me, she threw herself toward me, sobbing harder.
“Rowan!” she cried. “Thank God you’re here!”
I awkwardly patted her shoulder. “What happened, Flora? Why are you so upset?”
“It was terrible,” she sniffled. “The therapy session was going so well until Janet showed up!”
My blood went cold. “Janet? What do you mean Janet showed up?”
Flora wiped her nose with a tissue. “She came out of nowhere and started being judgmental and mean to me. She was
harassing me, calling me names!”
I felt confused. What would Janet be doing at a therapy clinic? Flora must be mistaken.
“Are you sure it was Janet?” I asked carefully.
“Of course I’m sure!” Flora wailed. “She was so cruel to me. She called me a home wrecker! Said awful things about me trying
to steal someone’s husband!” Her crying got worse. “If my poor Jared hadn’t died, no one would call me these names!”
I pulled Flora into a hug, feeling angry on her behalf. “It’s not your fault, Flora. Stop crying. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“The hospital bought her story,” Flora continued through her tears. “They took her side over mine. They wouldn’t even listen
to me!”
Hospital? The word stuck in my head. What was Janet doing in a hospital? Flora was being vague about the details, not explaining clearly what Janet’s role was there. But if Janet was somehow involved in Flora’s bad therapy session, I needed to hear both sides of the story.
Still, I couldn’t let Flora suffer like this.
“I’ll make sure the clinic is dealt with,” I told her firmly. “Alex, take Flora home. Make sure she’s comfortable.”
“Thank you, Rowan,” Flora said, squeezing my hands. “You’re the only one who understands me.”
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Chapter 0024
+25 BONUS
After they left, I got in my car and drove straight to the clinic. My mind raced the whole way. What was Janet doing there? Flora had mentioned something about a man defending Janet, even trying to kiss her. My hands gripped the steering wheel
tighter.
Is this her sugar daddy? i thought. Is that why she was in such a hurry for me to sign those divorce papers? So he can claim.
her?
The idea made my stomach twist with anger and something else–jealousy? No, not jealousy. Just… concern. Janet was my
wife, after all.
I parked at the clinic and walked straight to the reception desk.
“I need to see Dr. Martinez,” I said firmly.
The receptionist looked nervous. “Do you have an appointment, sir?”
“Tell her Rowan Thayer is heré. She knows me.”
was one of their donors. Elena Martinez and I had met at several charity events.
A few minutes later, Elena appeared, looking surprised but professional.
“Rowan,” she smiled. “What brings you here today?”
“I need to see the person who attended Flora Reynolds today,” I said without pleasantries.
Elena’s smile faded. “Is there a problem?”
“There’s definitely a problem. Flora was mistreated by one of your staff members.
“I can assure you that’s not what happened,” Elena said calmly. “Ms. Reynolds wasn’t being truthful about-‘
“Are you defending your doctor?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “Instead of listening to the complaint?”
Elena looked uncomfortable. “Perhaps we should discuss this privately. Let me take you to speak with the counselor
involved.”
She led me down a hallway lined with office doors. My anger was building with each step. How dare someone at this clinic
mistreat Flora when she was vulnerable and seeking help?
As we approached one of the offices, I saw a tall man leaving. He was well–dressed, confident–looking. When he saw me, we locked eyes for a moment. Something about his protective stance near the office door made my jaw clench. Was this the man
Flora mentioned? Janet’s defender?
Elena knocked on the office door. “Janet? There’s someone here to see you.”
The door opened, and I stepped inside, ready to confront whoever had hurt Flora.
But I froze.
Janet sat behind the desk–not as a patient, but as the counselor. She was wearing professional clothes, her hair styled
neatly. There were degrees on the wall behind her, a nameplate on her desk.
“Janet?” I said, shocked.
Her face went pale when she saw me. “What the hell is he doing here?” she asked Elena.
Elena looked between us, confused. “Do you two know each other?”
“Yes,” Janet said firmly.
Elena glanced at me, then back to Janet. “I’ll… give you some privacy to talk.” She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.
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Chapter 0024
+25 BONUS
I stood there, trying to process what I was seeing. My wife–my quiet, simple wife–sitting in a therapist’s office as the
therapist.
“Is this what you do now?” I finally managed to say. “Landing jobs with fake credentials?” The words left my mouth even
before I could hold the back.
Janet’s eyes flashed with anger. “Fake credentials?”
“Or did your sugar daddy help you get this job?” I continued, the words coming out harsher than I intended.
Janet stood up, her hands flat on the desk. “My what?”
