Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 514: I won’t take too long

The journey down the mountain felt much easier.

At least, that was what Daniel claimed.

Anna strongly disagreed.

"Going down is worse," she muttered as they carefully made their way along the rocky trail. "My legs are shaking. I can feel betrayal in my muscles." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Daniel glanced at her, amused. "You said climbing up was worse."

"Yes, well. I have evolved. I now have new opinions."

Despite her dramatic commentary, she held his hand tightly, letting him guide her over uneven stones and slippery patches of soil.

The morning sun was brighter now, warming the air and chasing away the earlier chill. The beauty of the trek still lingered in her heart, but her body was beginning to file formal complaints.

By the time they reached their car, Anna collapsed into the passenger seat with a groan.

"Oh wow," she breathed. "I feel like I have fought three wars and lost all of them."

Daniel started the engine, trying not to laugh too loudly. "You did well."

"I survived," she corrected weakly. "That is different."

The drive back was peaceful. Soft music played in the background while Anna leaned her head against the window, watching the scenery blur past. Every time the car hit a small bump, she winced.

Daniel noticed. "Are you that sore already?"

She turned slowly to look at him, eyes narrowed. "Do not speak to me of soreness."

He chuckled but reached across to squeeze her hand reassuringly.

When they finally reached home, Anna stepped out of the car with confidence.

That confidence lasted exactly three seconds.

The moment she took her first step toward the door, her legs trembled violently.

"Oh no," she whispered.

Daniel paused. "What happened?"

"My legs," she said in disbelief. "They have resigned from service."

She tried to walk again. The result was a slow, unstable wobble that made her look like a newborn deer attempting to stand for the first time.

Daniel could not hold back his laughter this time.

"Do not laugh!" she protested, swatting at him weakly. "This is a serious condition."

Before she could dramatically topple over, he wrapped an arm around her waist and supported her inside. She pretended to protest, but she leaned into him gratefully.

"See?" he teased. "You need that oxygen cylinder after all."

"Say that again and I will remember this betrayal forever," she warned.

They reached the bedroom, and the moment Anna saw the bed, her eyes widened with longing.

"That," she declared, pointing at it, "is my destination."

Daniel released her carefully, but she did not walk.

She marched forward with the last of her strength, climbed onto the mattress, and then simply collapsed.

Face down. Arms spread. Completely defeated.

The sound she made was somewhere between a sigh and a dramatic death scene from a historical drama.

"I am a warrior," she mumbled into the pillow. "I fought bravely."

Daniel stood at the foot of the bed, watching her with fond amusement. "You climbed one mountain."

"One mountain too many," she replied weakly. "Tell my story. Tell them I was courageous."

He moved closer and gently turned her onto her back so she could breathe properly. Her hair was messy, her cheeks still flushed from exertion, and her eyes half-closed.

"You look proud," he observed.

"I am proud," she whispered. "I did not cry."

"You almost did."

"That was sweat," she insisted.

Daniel sat beside her and began massaging her calf gently. The moment his fingers pressed into the sore muscle, she gasped.

"Oh wow. That hurts. Keep going."

He laughed softly. "You are dramatic."

"I am injured," she corrected.

As he continued easing the tension in her legs, her body slowly relaxed. The exhaustion was heavy now, settling deep into her bones. But beneath it was satisfaction.

She opened one eye and looked at him. "If you ever plan another romantic adventure that involves climbing something taller than a staircase, you will inform me at least one week in advance."

"Noted," he replied.

"And next time," she added faintly, "we take a helicopter."

Daniel shook his head, smiling down at his defeated yet victorious wife.

Within minutes, Anna’s dramatic warrior speech faded into soft, steady breathing.

She had conquered the mountain.

Now she was conquering sleep.

***

Meanwhile, Kathrine left the condo with a calm expression that did not match the storm brewing inside her.

Marcus had sent her the location of the restaurant barely an hour ago and she did not waste time since she already agreed to meet him.

Luckily, Ethan had been called away for an urgent shoot early that morning.

The timing could not have been more convenient. When she told him she had errands to run, he did not question her. He had kissed her forehead distractedly and rushed out the door, unaware of the tension coiling beneath her composed exterior.

The drive took twenty minutes, though it felt longer.

Kathrine kept both hands steady on the steering wheel, her mind replaying the last time she had spoken to Marcus. His voice had been measured, controlled, but beneath it lay something sharp. Something assessing.

He was not a man who called without reason.

The restaurant he had chosen was discreet and expensive, tucked away from the busier streets. Floor to ceiling glass windows reflected the late morning sun, and the valet greeted her with quiet professionalism.

Marcus always chose places like this. Neutral ground. Public enough to prevent scenes. Private enough to conduct business.

Because that was what this was.

Business.

Kathrine stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. The air carried the faint scent of coffee and polished wood. Conversations were low and refined.

She spotted him immediately.

Marcus sat at a table near the window, posture straight, suit immaculate. His salt and pepper hair was neatly combed back, his sharp features unreadable. Even seated, he carried authority effortlessly. The kind that did not need to be announced.

Ethan’s father.

A man who had built his empire from nothing and trusted very few people in the process.

His eyes lifted the moment she approached. Calm. Evaluating.

Kathrine slowed her steps deliberately. She would not appear rushed. She would not appear intimidated.

When she reached the table, he did not stand.

"On time," Marcus said, glancing briefly at his watch before looking back at her. "Impressive."

His tone was smooth, but there was an edge beneath it.

Kathrine offered a small, controlled smile as she took the seat across from him. "I usually am."

A waiter approached, but Marcus dismissed him with a subtle gesture. He did not take his eyes off her.

Silence stretched between them. Not awkward but calculated.

Kathrine folded her hands neatly on the table. "You asked to meet. I am here."

Marcus leaned back slightly, studying her as though she were a proposal laid out before him.

"I won’t take too long, but rather get to the point. Leave my son."