Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 316: Are you hurt

Ethan and Kathrine lingered in the park for a while longer, the earlier scare slowly fading into a quiet calm. Once they were sure she was fine, they made their way back to the car and climbed in.

"So," Ethan said as he settled behind the wheel, glancing at her with a faint smile, "where do you want to jump next?"

He surprised himself with how easily the words came. Earlier, he had felt almost dragged into the day. Now, he found himself genuinely enjoying her spontaneity, the way it pulled him out of his own rigid world.

Kathrine laughed softly as she fastened her seatbelt. "You sound excited now," she teased, arching a brow at him.

Ethan didn’t bother denying it. He only smiled, started the engine, and pulled the car back onto the road, the city stretching ahead of them and the promise of something unexpected lingering comfortably in the air.

***

The stables were quieter than Kathrine expected, tucked away from the city, the air carrying the earthy scent of hay and leather. Horses shifted in their stalls, their low snorts filling the space with a calm, steady rhythm.

Kathrine stopped just inside the gate, her eyes widening slightly. "Horse riding?" she asked, turning to Ethan. "You planned this?"

Ethan shrugged, a rare hint of nerves flashing across his face. "I thought you wanted something... different. And before you ask, yes, they’re trained. Very well-behaved."

She smiled, slow and genuine. "I’ve never done this before."

"That makes two of us," he admitted.

That earned him a surprised look, followed by a laugh. "So we’re both about to embarrass ourselves."

A stable hand helped them mount, adjusting the reins and giving brief instructions. Kathrine sat stiffly at first, her hands gripping the saddle a little too tight.

"Relax," Ethan said from beside her, already swaying slightly with the horse’s movement. "He can feel your tension."

"That’s not comforting," she muttered, though she loosened her grip anyway.

They started slow, walking side by side along the dirt trail that stretched beyond the stables. Sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the ground beneath them. After a few minutes, Kathrine’s posture eased, her shoulders relaxing as she found the rhythm.

"This is actually..." she paused, smiling to herself, "...nice."

Ethan glanced at her. "You look like you’re enjoying it."

"I am," she said honestly. "It feels strange, trusting something so powerful and just letting it carry you."

He nodded, understanding more than she realized. "Yeah. It does."

The trail opened into a wide clearing, the breeze stronger here. Kathrine laughed as her horse picked up pace, the sound light and unrestrained.

Ethan watched her, something warm settling in his chest. He had seen her composed, guarded, controlled. This version of her—laughing freely, eyes bright—felt rare.

"Careful," he called teasingly. "You’re going to make me race you."

Her smile turned playful. "You wouldn’t dare."

Challenge accepted.

They didn’t go fast, just enough to feel the thrill, the wind tugging at their hair, laughter echoing across the open space. When they finally slowed, both were breathless, smiling like they had forgotten everything else for a moment.

They stopped near the fence, horses settling beneath them.

"I didn’t know I needed this," Kathrine said quietly.

Ethan dismounted first and held out his hand to help her down. She hesitated only a second before taking it. His grip was firm, steady, and for a brief moment, neither of them let go.

"Neither did I," he replied.

Kathrine barely had time to breathe before everything went wrong.

One sharp sound cut through the clearing. The horse beneath her jolted violently, ears flattening as it suddenly picked up speed. Kathrine gasped, her fingers tightening instinctively around the reins as the world blurred around her.

"Ethan!" she cried, panic lacing her voice.

The horse bolted forward, no longer responding to her unsteady pulls. Fear surged through her chest as her balance wavered, her body pitching dangerously to one side.

"Hey—slow down!" Ethan shouted, already urging his own horse forward, his calm shattering into urgency.

Kathrine’s heart hammered. She tried to remember the instructions, tried to steady her breathing, but the horse lurched again. Her foot slipped from the stirrup.

And then she fell.

The impact knocked the air from her lungs as she hit the ground hard, pain flaring through her side and shoulder. The world spun, dust filling her senses as she lay there, stunned, unable to move for a terrifying second.

"Kathrine!"

Ethan was off his horse in an instant, racing toward her, his face pale with fear. He dropped to his knees beside her, hands hovering as if afraid to touch her and make it worse.

"Don’t move," he said quickly, his voice tight but controlled. "Talk to me. Are you hurt?"

Kathrine sucked in a shallow breath, wincing as pain rippled through her body. "I... I think so," she whispered, trying to push herself up before a sharp ache forced her back down.

Ethan’s jaw clenched. "Stay still," he repeated, firmer now, one hand finally settling at her shoulder, gentle but grounding. "I’ve got you. You’re not alone."

The carefree laughter from moments ago was gone, replaced by raw fear and something deeper in his eyes as he stayed beside her, refusing to move even an inch away.

***

[Glorious International]

"Boss, you seem... happy," Henry remarked cautiously, watching Daniel move through the office with an ease that felt almost suspicious.

After everything Daniel had put him through lately, Henry had fully prepared himself for another day of sharp looks and silent intimidation. Instead, his boss had greeted staff, signed files without slamming them shut, and had not once glared at him like he was plotting his demise.

It was unsettling.

Daniel paused mid step and glanced at Henry. "Is that a problem?"

Henry straightened instantly. "N-No. Just... an observation."

Inside, Henry sighed in relief.

All thanks to our lady boss, he thought. She’s an angel for showing up exactly when he needed her. A literal workplace miracle.

"If you’re done analyzing my mood," Daniel said dryly, "we have work to do."

Henry nodded quickly, then muttered under his breath, "Best mood you’ve had in weeks."

Daniel heard it anyway.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips. "Careful, Henry. Complimenting me might become a habit."

Henry blinked. Oh no. He was smiling.

This was definitely Anna’s doing.

Daniel was in the middle of his work when his phone rang and the person who called him was none other than Roseline.