Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 298: Take responsibility

A full minute passed.

When Ethan did not say another word, Katrine finally cracked. She opened her eyes slowly and turned to look at him, only to find him already watching her with an unreadable expression.

Awkwardness flooded her at once.

She straightened up in her seat, clearing her throat as she tried to gather herself. "I... I did not mean to fall asleep, but..."

"You somehow did," Ethan finished for her, pulling his arm back with a slight wince. He flexed his fingers subtly, the stiffness obvious after supporting her head the entire night.

Katrine pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze. She had never felt this self conscious around anyone before. Yet with Ethan, this unfamiliar flutter kept wrapping itself around her heart, making her painfully aware of every little thing she did.

"And now," he said suddenly, breaking the silence, "you have to take responsibility for it."

Her head snapped up instantly. "R... responsibility?"

Her throat went dry, her mind racing to places it had no business going. They had not done anything. At least nothing that required responsibility. Right?

Ethan watched her for a few seconds, taking in the wide eyed, horrified expression on her face. Then the corner of his lips twitched.

Oh, this was far too tempting.

He leaned back casually, feigning seriousness. "Yes. Responsibility."

Katrine swallowed hard. "W... what kind of responsibility?"

He let the suspense hang just a second longer before breaking into a grin. "You owe me breakfast," he said easily. "My arm went numb for you. That deserves compensation."

She blinked. Once. Twice.

"That is it?" she asked, incredulous.

Ethan laughed, the sound warm and teasing. "What were you thinking?"

Her cheeks flushed instantly. "Nothing!"

"Uh huh," he replied, clearly unconvinced. "Relax. If anything, I should be thanking you."

"For what?" she asked warily.

"For trusting me enough to fall asleep," he said softly, though the teasing glint never left his eyes.

The words caught her off guard, and for a brief moment, the embarrassment gave way to something gentler, something she was not ready to name.

"Well," he added lightly as he started the car, "you should probably head inside before your guards decide to come after me."

Katrine’s eyes darted to the window. Only then did she notice the men posted near the gates, their attention unmistakably fixed on the car.

Her eyes widened. "They have been watching us since last night?" he said to her. "What if they already told your parents that their daughter slept outside the house gates... in someone else’s car?"

Panic set in.

Without wasting a second Kathrine fumbled with the seat belt, unbuckling it in a rush. Ethan could not help but chuckle at the frantic way she reached for the door handle.

But just as her fingers touched it, she paused.

The way she bit her lower lip, hesitating for a brief second, made Ethan’s smile falter. Slowly, deliberately, she turned to look at him.

"One hour," she said quietly. "Meet me at the Donut Cafe."

The corner of Ethan’s lips curled into an amused, unmistakably pleased smile.

"Noted," he replied.

Without another word, Katrine stepped out of the car, still dressed in the same pajama set she had worn the night before. She kept her head down as she hurried through the gates, trying her best to look casual under the watchful eyes of the guards.

Ethan did not look away.

He watched until she disappeared inside the house, only starting the engine when the tightness in his chest finally eased. With one last glance at the gates, he drove off, the hint of a smile still lingering on his lips.

However, neither of them was aware of the eyes that had been watching from the shadows the entire time, eyes far more dangerous than the guards standing at the gates.

Collin’s gaze lingered on the car until it finally drove away. His eyes flickered with something dark and calculating before he turned on his heel and disappeared down the road, making his way back toward his hideout on Crossroad Street.

After killing Kira, Collin had known things would take time to settle. He was confident Roseline would not say a word about him. Even if the police dug deeper, they would find nothing. He had covered his tracks too well.

But when Katrine had shown up at his door the other day, he had nearly frozen on the spot.

For a moment, he had been certain she had found him.

Collin had been meticulous while working on set, always careful to disguise himself, to blend in, to remain invisible. The moment he sensed Ethan’s suspicion turning in his direction, he had pulled back without hesitation.

Now, watching Ethan and Katrine together stirred something uneasy in his gut.

It did not sit right.

The first thought that crossed his mind was dangerous.

What if they are working together?

The idea alone was enough to put him on edge. Suspicion took root quickly, and with it, resolve.

From that moment on, Collin decided to keep Katrine under close watch.

If she knew something, he would find out.

As he made his way toward his house, Collin suddenly stopped.

His dark eyes locked onto the figure standing a few steps ahead of him.

The instant she saw him, color drained from her face. The bags in her hands slipped as she fumbled to steady them, panic flashing across her features. Without saying a word, she hurried past him, her steps quick and unsteady, leaving him momentarily frozen in confusion.

Collin turned his head slowly, watching her retreat until she disappeared from view.

His eyes narrowed.

Something about her reaction did not sit right.

After a brief pause, he resumed walking, but his pace was no longer casual. His thoughts raced, suspicion tightening its grip as he replayed the moment in his mind.

***

Meanwhile, the woman hurried back to her house, her steps uneven with fear. Just as she reached for the door, she froze, her gaze darting toward the house across from hers.

For a brief moment, she considered going over to speak with Mariam. The thought lingered, tempting her with the comfort of another presence.

But then her mind flashed back to the man she had just crossed paths with.

Her blood ran cold.

"What if he comes after me?" she whispered, dread creeping into every fiber of her being. Her fingers trembled as they tightened around the door handle, her breath coming shallow and fast.

She shook her head sharply, trying to chase the fear away.

"No," she murmured to herself, forcing resolve into her voice. "There is nothing I can do now. Kira is already dead."

The words did nothing to calm her racing heart, but she pushed the door open anyway, ready to step in only for a voice to stop her midway.

"Dorothy"