Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 289: It is not too much

Anna watched Daniel speak quietly with the housekeeper, giving a few instructions with the ease of someone who knew this place well. While he handled the arrangements, her attention drifted back to the house itself.

It did not have the overwhelming grandeur of the Clafford estate. Instead, it carried a warm, lived-in charm. Soft lights, wooden textures, a gentle scent of lavender drifting through the halls. It felt like a home. A real one. A place meant for family rather than display.

"Our room is prepared upstairs. Let us get changed."

Daniel’s voice pulled her back, and she turned to see him walking toward her.

His calmness surprised her. He looked relaxed, content even, and that alone felt new. She nodded quietly, still taking in the space around her.

Daniel offered her a faint smile and guided her up the staircase. The moment he pushed open the door to the room, Anna’s breath caught.

It was comforting, warm, and strangely familiar. The colors, the arrangement of the furniture, even the soft curtains swaying by the window reminded her intensely of their room back at the mansion.

"Is this not almost exactly the same as our room?" Anna asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Daniel looked amused by her reaction. "I asked the housekeeper to make it feel familiar."

He said it as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Anna stared at him, still in disbelief. He had recreated their entire room here, down to the smallest details, for her comfort. Her chest warmed, a quiet emotion settling beneath her ribs.

"I did not want you to feel out of place," Daniel added, watching her with calm sincerity.

Anna looked around again, her fingers brushing the edge of the neatly made bed. The familiarity wrapped around her gently, settling any unease she had felt earlier.

She had not expected this from him. Not the thoughtfulness. Not the quiet effort. And it made her heart soften in ways she did not want to acknowledge yet.

"Where are you lost, wifey?" Daniel’s voice came soft and teasing as his arms slid around her waist. He rested his chin gently on her shoulder, pulling her back against him.

Anna’s breath caught. The warmth of him, the closeness, the quiet affection in his touch—none of it matched the man who usually kept a careful distance. And yet, here he was, holding her as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Daniel could see the questions swirling in her gaze. He knew she wanted answers, but before any conversation, he wanted something else. He wanted them to forget the weight of the day. The confusion. The fear. He wanted a moment that belonged only to them.

Anna tilted her head slightly, her eyes meeting his. For a moment she simply looked at him, absorbing the softness in his expression, the way his lips quirked each time he glanced at her.

"How long have you been planning all this?" she asked, turning in his arms to face him fully. Her hands rested loosely around his torso, her chin lifting as she gazed up at him. Her eyes softened, tracing every detail of his face before lowering briefly to his mouth.

Daniel felt something warm bloom in his chest at the sight.

If he told her the truth, she would probably call him insane. Everything had been arranged at the last moment. And there was still more waiting for her. Things he had prepared before he could talk himself out of it.

But honesty tugged at him.

"One hour maybe," he said casually.

Anna’s eyes widened, her jaw parting in disbelief. "One hour?" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Daniel nodded, the faintest hint of pride in his voice. "The moment I decided I wanted to bring you here, I made the calls."

Anna stared at him, caught between shock and something far more tender.

Daniel’s smile deepened, his fingers brushing lightly along her waist. "You asked. I answered."

"Daniel..." she breathed, still trying to wrap her mind around it. "You did all of this in one hour?"

"Yes."

"And the room... and the arrangements..."

"Everything."

Anna looked around again, suddenly seeing the effort behind every detail. This was not impulsive. This was intention. This was a man who wanted her comfort, her presence, her closeness.

Her heart thudded gently, a little too fast.

Daniel’s eyes traced her face quietly. "Was it too much?"

Anna swallowed softly, the warmth in her eyes giving him his answer even before she spoke.

She wanted to tell him it was perfect.

She wanted to say it felt surprisingly thoughtful, surprisingly intimate... surprisingly him.

But her instinct to tease him kicked in first.

"No," Anna said lightly, her lips curving despite her attempt to look stern. "But it is still too much. People should not have to run on an adrenaline rush just to meet your expectations."

Daniel blinked, caught off guard by her playful reprimand. A soft huff of amusement escaped him before he tightened his hold, pulling her a little closer, as if her teasing words made him fear she might slip from his arms.

Anna gasped softly at the sudden closeness, her hands instinctively gripping the fabric of his shirt. "Daniel..."

He rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling. "If it is too much, tell me to stop."

Her heartbeat stuttered.

She searched his eyes, expecting arrogance, expecting his usual confidence. But instead she found vulnerability. A quiet need for reassurance he refused to voice aloud.

And in that moment, all her teasing melted.

"It is not too much," Anna whispered, her voice gentler now. "I just do not want you exhausting people because you decided something at the last minute."

Daniel let out a soft chuckle, the tension easing in his shoulders. "I will try to give more notice next time."

"Next time?" she echoed.

"Yes," Daniel said, brushing his thumb against her waist in a slow caress. "There will be a next time."

Anna’s breath hitched, her cheeks warming as her grip around his torso tightened ever so slightly.

This man, who always moved with certainty, who always stayed composed... was holding her like she mattered. Like today was not just another plan, but something he truly wanted.

And for the first time since stepping into the house, the flutter in her chest felt harder to ignore.