Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 296: One more minute

The next morning, Anna woke up in the bedroom, wrapped in one of Daniel’s loose shirts.

The memory of the previous night surfaced slowly. When the air had turned cool, Daniel had carefully carried her inside, tucking her into bed with a tenderness she had not expected. At some point, he had changed her into his shirt before lying beside her, and they had drifted into a peaceful sleep together.

Now the bed beside her was empty.

Frowning slightly, Anna pushed herself up and glanced around the room. Daniel was nowhere in sight. Curiosity stirred as she slipped out of bed and stepped outside.

The house was unusually quiet. Ever since they had arrived here, she had noticed only a handful of servants and a housekeeper. This morning, even they seemed to have vanished.

"Did they take the day off?" she murmured to herself.

Shrugging off the thought, Anna made her way downstairs, her steps slow and cautious. Halfway down, the warm scent of freshly toasted bread drifted through the air, wrapping around her senses.

Her feet moved on instinct, drawn toward the comforting smell, as her heart beat a little faster with quiet anticipation.

Anna followed the scent into the kitchen, her steps slowing when she reached the doorway.

Daniel stood by the counter, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled, focused on the pan in front of him.

The quiet clink of utensils and the soft sizzle of breakfast filled the space. For a moment, she simply watched him, her chest warming at the sight. This was not the man she once feared or misunderstood. This was the man who had held her gently the night before and let her sleep wrapped in his presence.

A soft sigh slipped past her lips as she recalled his words.

’I love you Anna’

Careful not to make a sound, Anna tiptoed closer. She reached him silently and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his back. His shirt swallowed her frame, carrying his warmth and his familiar scent.

Daniel froze for half a second, then relaxed instantly, a small smile curving at his lips.

"Good morning," he murmured, covering her hands with his own.

She tightened her hold slightly, nuzzling closer. "You disappeared," she said softly. "I thought I dreamed everything."

He turned his head just enough to glance at her. "I did not want to wake you. You looked peaceful."

She smiled against his back, the simple intimacy making her heart ache in the best way. "You are cooking," she added, teasing.

"For you," he replied without hesitation.

The words settled deep in her chest. She closed her eyes, holding him a little longer, savoring the quiet moment as the morning light filtered in and the world outside felt far away.

Daniel finally turned around, gently pulling her into his arms, his forehead resting against hers.

"Sit," he said softly. "Breakfast is almost ready."

And for the first time in a long while, Anna felt like she truly belonged.

Daniel had expected Anna to listen to him, especially after he told her breakfast was ready. Instead, she only clung to him tighter, her arms still wrapped securely around his waist. The sight made his smile widen without him even realizing it.

"Aren’t you hungry after what we did last night?" he teased, turning fully to face her. He knew he had worn her out, and part of him assumed she was simply trying to steal a few more quiet moments before refueling.

When she shook her head, his brows lifted in genuine amusement.

"Now that is concerning," he said slowly, lifting his hand toward her forehead as if to check her temperature.

She swatted his hand away with an exaggerated roll of her eyes and tightened her hold on him instead, pressing herself closer.

Daniel laughed softly, the sound warm and unguarded, as he wrapped his arms around her in return. "So this is how it is now," he murmured. "No breakfast, just me."

She nodded against his chest, and he let out a quiet sigh, resting his chin on her head.

"For the record," he added gently, "I do not mind one bit."

Daniel held her for a moment longer, letting the quiet settle between them. The kitchen smelled of butter and toast, the pan softly sizzling behind him, but Anna did not move. She stayed tucked against him like this was exactly where she belonged.

He brushed his hand over her hair, slow and absentminded. "You know," he said gently, "if you keep clinging to me like this, breakfast is going to burn."

"Let it," she murmured, her voice muffled against his chest.

He laughed under his breath. "I woke up early for this, Anna. I even followed a recipe."

"That makes it even more impressive," she replied, tilting her head up just enough to look at him. Her eyes were soft, still hazy with sleep. "But I missed you when I woke up."

Something warm twisted in his chest. He leaned down, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. "I was right here the whole time."

"Still," she said, tightening her arms again.

Daniel sighed dramatically, though his arms instinctively pulled her closer. "Alright," he conceded. "One more minute. But then you sit and eat."

She smiled, victorious.

After a beat, he shifted slightly, guiding her toward the kitchen island. "Sit," he repeated, this time firmer but still affectionate.

Anna finally loosened her hold, though not without dragging her fingers along his shirt as she stepped back. She perched on the stool, resting her chin in her palm, watching him like he was the most interesting thing in the room.

Daniel felt her gaze even without turning around. "Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked.

"Because you are cooking," she said simply. "And because you look... happy."

He paused for just a second before glancing over his shoulder at her. "I am," he admitted. "I woke up and you were there. That makes it a good morning."

Her smile softened, something tender flickering in her eyes. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

When he finally placed the plate in front of her, Anna looked down at it, then back at him. "You really did all this for me?"

"For us," Daniel corrected, leaning in to steal a quick kiss from her lips. "Now eat. After that, you can cling to me as much as you want."

She laughed, picking up her fork. "Deal."

And as sunlight poured into the kitchen, the morning unfolded quietly, wrapped in warmth, comfort, and the kind of intimacy neither of them wanted to rush past.

***

After breakfast, Anna and Daniel ended up stretched out on the long couch in the living room, her head resting against his chest while his arm circled her securely. The quiet hum of the house wrapped around them, broken only by her soft laughter.

"Hehe, Daniel, that’s ticklish," Anna laughed when he leaned down and showered her cheek and neck with playful kisses.

She squirmed, trying half-heartedly to escape, but Daniel only tightened his hold, clearly enjoying her reaction far too much.

"You asked for it, wifey," he said, pausing just long enough to look at her with a cheeky smile. "And now you are complaining?"

"I did not ask to be attacked," she protested, though her grin ruined any seriousness. "I asked for cuddles. This is a full ambush."

He chuckled, brushing his thumb lazily along her arm. "You married me. Ambushes are part of the deal."

Anna shook her head, laughing as she settled back against him, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. For the first time in a long while, she felt completely at ease. Knowing how Daniel felt about her made everything feel lighter, simpler. Like this was how life was always meant to be.

"You know," she said thoughtfully, tilting her head up to look at him, "you are unusually affectionate today."

"Today?" he replied, raising a brow. "I have always been affectionate."

She gave him a look. "That is a lie, and you know it."

He laughed softly. "Fine. Maybe I am making it up."

Her expression softened at that, and she tucked herself closer, resting her cheek against his chest again. They stayed like that for a few moments, comfortable and quiet, until Anna spoke again.

"Daniel?"

"Yes?"

She hesitated for a moment, then asked casually, though her voice softened with curiosity. "You never told me what made you agree to Jason’s therapy."

Daniel’s body stilled beneath her.

The playful ease drained from his expression as his gaze shifted away, jaw tightening slightly as if the question had touched something carefully buried. The arm around her loosened just enough for her to notice.

For a few seconds, he said nothing.

Anna lifted her head slowly, studying his face. The lightness she had seen earlier was gone, replaced by a depth that made her heart tighten.

"Daniel?" She murmured, not pushing, just reminding him she was there.

"Because I wanted to see if I was not losing my mind," Daniel said quietly.