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.
