Chapter 0013
Janet’s Point of View
I hung up the call and sat up on the bed, my fingers tight around the phone. My chest felt heavy, my heart tightened more. Rowan really thought low of me.
He still believed the only thing I ever cared about was him. His shirt. His tie. What he wore. How he looked.
I laughed softly, but it wasn’t a happy one. It was the kind that came out when something inside hurt.
I only did that because I loved him… selfishly. I never for once thought about myself. And now, it was the biggest mistake of my life.
I stared ahead, thinking back to how I always tried to be kind, soft, understanding. Always placing him first, even when it hurt me. Then I didn’t even know what it means to be hurt, since Rowan is happy, I’m happy too. I gave up too much for him-my career, my time, even my peace—just to make sure he was fine.
I remember how I used to iron his shirts before he woke up. I’d pick his ties, his shoes. I’d put his cologne by the mirror just the way he liked. I made sure everything was ready for him before he woke up for work just to be the wife he would want. But all that? He never saw it. He never cared.
He just looked at me like I was nothing. Like I didn’t matter. Like my love was a stain he couldn’t wash off. But now it doesn’t matter what he thinks anymore.
I stood up, shaking the thoughts away. I still have a big new day ahead. And I had something new to face. I took my phone as I looked at the email I got from Lakeview Private Hospital.
I still couldn’t believe it. That place was one of the hardest to get into. And yet… Jasper had done it. He got me the interview like it was the easiest thing in the world. I never knew it would be so fast like this.
I walked over to my bag, searching for something nice to wear. I didn’t want to dress too loud. That wasn’t me. I never wore too much makeup or bright clothes. Just clean, simple, soft things. That’s what I liked. Most of all, the expensive and designer clothes Rowan bought were still in the closet-I barely touched them. Though then, I had nowhere to go or attend that would make me dress so loud.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.
“Hey,” Tracy smiled as she peeked in.
I turned to her, I was a little bit surprised but happy. “Hey.”
“Getting ready for the interview?” she asked, walking in slowly.
I nodded. “Yeah. Just looking for what to wear.”
Tracy grinned. “I’m off work today, and no one’s home. Want some company?”
I smiled. Really smiled this time. “I’d love that. Thank you.”
She sat on the bed, watching me with that sister-like warmth in her eyes. I wasn’t used to it. But I liked it.
After some time, I came out of the bathroom, dressed in what I thought looked okay-a plain cream blouse
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and black pants. Tracy’s eyes widened. “Oh no. Nope. Not like that.”
I blinked. “What?” I said, wondering if something was wrong with the way I looked.
She stood up, hands on her waist. “Your brothers won’t be happy if you walk out of here like this. You can’t walk out of this house today looking… regular.”
I frowned. “It’s just an interview…’
“No. Jasper won’t accept it even if he is here-neither my husband or any of them. You have to look different. Sharp. Confidence. Strong.”
I shook my head with a small laugh. “That’s sweet. But really, this is fine. This really meets up with all the characters you just mentioned.”
Tracy narrowed her eyes, then grinned. “Nope. You’re not escaping this. I think we’re going shopping first before the interview.”
“Shopping?” I blinked again.
“Girls’ shopping,” she said with a wink. “Then interview.”
Before I could argue, she was already grabbing my hands. “You don’t need to argue. You are no longer the Janet you were before,” Tracy said as we both came down the stairs.
The drive was just thirty minutes. As we pulled up at Royal Crest Mall, my heart skipped. My jaw almost dropped. Royal Crest Mall is one of the biggest, most expensive malls in the city.
“What are we doing here?” I asked, shocked.
“Shopping, of course,” Tracy said as if she didn’t understand what I meant. “I understand you and my brothers want the best for me, but this is too much. Shopping here will cost much, Tracy. There are still other malls we can shop at,” I said, not minding how I sounded. But this was way too much-just because I met them doesn’t mean I should let them lavishly spend on me just like that.
Tracy smiled at me as she parked. “Janet, I see you worry too much. This is where I shop, and also, I happen to be one of their VIP customers,” Tracy said as she showed her Gold card. I had seen this card a few times with Rowan. I heard that to obtain this card in a mall means you are a valuable customer. “And Janet, this is yours from now on. Whether I will accompany you next time or not, with this card you can buy whatever you want in this mall,” she added as she placed the Gold card in my palms and my jaw finally dropped.
My eyes widened. “What? No. No way. This is too much.”
She shook her head. “Janet, it’s fine. Take it as a gift from me.’
I swallowed hard, touched-but also nervous. I hadn’t gotten any gift like this from someone, and this was kind of emotional.
“You don’t have to feel emotional or nervous, Janet. You really deserve any baby treatment. Come on, let’s go and shop,” she said as we got down from the car.
Inside, the mall was glowing. Lights were everywhere that made the place bright. Everything looked polished and expensive. I kept looking around, trying not to feel out of place.
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Tracy dragged me to the clothes section first. She pulled a silky cream blouse from one rack, a light-blue skirt from another. It was pale pink with a gold trim. So beautiful. I turned it to the other side as I saw the price tag.
I touched the fabric and gasped quietly. “Tracy… this is too much. Please. I can’t let you spend this much.” How can I let her spend eight million dollars on a dress? That’s way too much.
She looked at me and smiled. “You think this is much? I just want you to wear something nice and your brothers made it clear I get whatever you want. And you’re their sister. You’re not just anyone. Let them spoil you.”
I bit my lip but nodded slowly. A part of me still felt awkward, but I didn’t fight her. Not today.
We moved to the jewelry section. She picked earrings, bracelets, and a tiny necklace. And each and every one of them was worth millions of dollars. And every time I looked at something a little longer than usual, she added it to the basket.
Then we came across shoes. Soft heels. Polished flats. Black, nude, silver. She picked whatever I stared at for too long. So far, she felt I had interest in it.
“You’re sneaky,” I told her, smiling.
Tracy laughed. “You’re easy to read.”
Finally, we made our way to the cashier. The counter was full now. Bags, boxes, clothes, shoes-everything. I took a deep breath, still a little stunned. I never expected the shopping to be so big like this. She even allowed me to change into the new dress she picked. She said it fits me more than the clothes I put on.
Then, just as I reached for the card she gave me in the car, my eyes caught someone. My heart skipped. The face was too familiar.
The woman stepped closer. I knew that face. The sharp jaw. The cold stare. The way she flipped her hair over her shoulder like the world owed her space. Claire Thayer, Rowan’s cousin. She walked right up, her heels clicking loud on the floor.
Her eyes narrowed and her lips curled. Behind her was Flora. Of course, she wouldn’t miss it. And something tells me that Rowan is with them-but I don’t want to care. And then Claire’s voice came through.
“What the hell are you doing here, Janet?”
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