Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 335: Remind me never to be on your side

Collin, who had been sitting in silence, slowly lifted his gaze to Kathrine.

The rage in her eyes, the way her teeth clenched as she hurled her accusations, made the corner of his lips curl into a wicked grin.

"Those eyes," he said at last, his voice rough from disuse. "They remind me of someone."

Kathrine’s expression flickered. He had remained silent from the moment he was detained, and hearing his voice now sent a chill down her spine.

"Let me guess," he continued, tilting his head slightly as if truly pondering. "Ah... now I remember."

The grin widened.

"Hugo Bennett."

Kathrine’s eyes widened instantly. But what unsettled her more was how quickly that grin vanished, replaced by something dark and hostile. The sudden shift in his expression made her stiffen, as though she were staring at a stranger wearing the same face.

"You’re just like him," Collin went on, his tone almost amused. "Fierce. Bold. Cunning. You nearly caught me that day."

He chuckled softly, the sound grating against her nerves.

He knew her father.

And the way he spoke Hugo’s name carried something deeper than familiarity. It carried vengeance.

"Who are you, Collin?" Kathrine snapped, forcing her focus back onto him. "And why are you after my family?"

Though his erratic behavior unsettled her, she did not let it derail her purpose. She needed answers. She needed to know why this man had returned after being detained once before, this time with even more hatred aimed at the Bennetts.

Her mind flickered to the night Anna had mentioned him. The first thing Kathrine had done upon returning home was sneak into her father’s study and retrieve the file Anna had spoken of.

What she read had confirmed everything.

Collin had a history with the Bennett family. Years ago, he had been detained on multiple charges. Only recently had those charges been mysteriously dropped, leading to his release.

Her gaze fell to the scar on his face. The sight of it made her stomach churn.

"This scar," she said coldly, eyes sharp and deliberate, "was from a physical assault charge. Am I right?"

Collin’s expression darkened instantly. His jaw tightened, his fists clenching hard against the armrests of the chair.

Kathrine noticed.

Her words had struck something.

She had only guessed, a shot fired blindly, yet it had hit its mark.

"Smart move," he sneered. "Little girl."

The moment those words left his mouth, Kathrine’s confidence wavered.

Little girl.

The phrase echoed violently in her mind, unlocking something she had buried deep.

Come, little girl. Let me take you home.

Her breath hitched. A sharp pain split through her head as if someone had struck her with a hammer.

Come. I will take you to your father.

Kathrine staggered backward, her face draining of color. Her legs weakened beneath her as a memory surfaced, vivid yet incomplete, leaving her disoriented and breathless.

Her vision blurred. The room began to spin.

Collin watched her silently, his expression unreadable. The uncertainty in her eyes pleased him in ways he did not bother to hide.

The world tilted sharply.

"Kathrine!"

She barely registered the voice before strong arms caught her. An arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a firm chest. The warmth grounded her, easing the crushing pressure around her heart.

"Breathe," a voice murmured.

Through her haze, Kathrine lifted her eyes.

"Ethan," she whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek.

He did not speak. He only held her closer, his grip steady and protective.

"Breathe, Kathrine," he repeated softly.

His eyes then shifted to Collin.

Recognition flashed instantly.

The man who had fabricated an identity. The man who had stalked them from the shadows before making his move.

Ethan’s gaze hardened, dark and dangerous, silently letting Collin know he was recognized.

But Kathrine stirred in his arms, drawing his focus back to her. Without another word, he guided her out of the interrogation room.

Behind them, Collin returned to silence, his expression once again blank.

Ten minutes later.

"Kathrine!"

Anna’s voice cut through the corridor as she rushed toward her, Daniel close behind. Ethan met Daniel’s eyes briefly, understanding passing between them.

Kathrine looked away, focusing instead on her sister.

"I did not touch him," she said weakly. "I promise."

Anna ignored the implication entirely and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern outweighing everything else.

Kathrine froze for a moment, then let out a faint, disbelieving laugh. "I thought you would scold me for going against your words. Instead, I am being hugged. Did I hit my head that hard?"

She glanced at Ethan, a knowing glint passing between them.

Anna pulled back and rolled her eyes. "Very funny."

Her expression then sobered. "Did he say anything?"

The shift in her demeanor was immediate. The air around them seemed to cool.

Even Daniel, Ethan, and the officer nearby felt it.

Kathrine turned fully to face her sister, the corner of her lips curling slightly. "No," she said. "But I did hit a nerve."

Anna nodded once.

"Good," she said calmly. "Then I will go and beat the hell out of him."

Everyone froze.

Silence filled the corridor.

Daniel blinked. Ethan stiffened. The officer visibly panicked.

Kathrine stared at Anna for a long second before breaking into a weak, breathless laugh.

"Please," she muttered. "At least let me sit first."

Before Anna could take even a single step toward the interrogation room, Daniel moved.

He caught her wrist gently but firmly, pulling her back against his chest. "Absolutely not," he said calmly, as if she had just suggested going out for coffee instead of assaulting a suspect.

Anna looked up at him, eyes blazing. "Daniel, move."

"No."

"This man is playing games."

"I am aware."

"And I would like to end those games."

Anna thought being leanant with Collin was best for now. But she was wrong because a man like him who could emotionally mnipulate things would be able to flip the entire script if not taken in control already.

Daniel sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Wifey, if you walk into that room right now with that expression, you will not be interrogating him. You will be committing a crime."

Kathrine, who was still seated, snorted weakly. "I vote we let her in. At least it will be entertaining."

The officer nearly choked. "Ma’am, please don’t encourage her."

Anna twisted in Daniel’s hold. "Did you see his face? He deserves it."

"Oh, I saw his face," Daniel replied smoothly. "And trust me, hurting him physically is exactly what he wants."

That made Anna pause.

Daniel leaned down slightly, lowering his voice. "Men like Collin don’t break when you threaten them. They break when they realize they are no longer in control."

Ethan crossed his arms, nodding. "He enjoyed rattling Kathrine. That tells us enough."

Kathrine rolled her eyes. "I hate that you’re all being logical."

Daniel finally released Anna but immediately placed his hands on her shoulders, steering her away from the door. "Here’s the plan. I go in."

Anna frowned. "You?"

"Yes," he said calmly. "Because unlike you, I won’t punch him."

"That’s disappointing."

"And unlike Kathrine," he added, glancing at her, "I won’t give him emotional leverage."

Kathrine raised a brow. "You say that like it’s a compliment."

"It is," Daniel replied.

The officer hesitated. "Sir, with all due respect, we’ve tried everything."

Daniel smiled slightly. Not reassuringly. "You’ve tried police methods."

Anna’s lips curved into a slow grin. "Oh no."

Daniel straightened his cuffs. "I’ll try conversation."

Ethan muttered, "God help Collin."

As Daniel turned toward the interrogation room, Anna called out sweetly, "If he cries, I want updates."

Daniel glanced back. "If he cries, you’re buying me dinner."

Kathrine laughed softly despite herself. "I think I’m starting to feel better already."

The officer watched them in disbelief. "Is this... normal for your family?"

Ethan sighed. "Unfortunately."

Daniel opened the interrogation room door and stepped inside, the smile on his face fading into something cold and unreadable.

Outside, Anna folded her arms. "Ten minutes."

Ethan glanced at her. "What happens in ten minutes?"

Anna smiled innocently. "That’s when I stop being patient."

Kathrine shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips for the first time since collapsing. "Remind me never to be on your bad side."

Anna looked at her sister and grinned. "Too late."

And somewhere behind the glass, Collin Fort realized he had made a very serious mistake

*** 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The door closed softly behind Daniel.

No slam. No threat.

That alone made Collin lift his head.

Daniel did not sit immediately. He remained standing for a moment, studying the room, the camera, the one-way mirror. Only then did he pull the chair back and sit across from Collin, folding his hands neatly on the table.

Silence stretched.

Collin smirked. "So," he said lazily, "they finally sent someone who knows how to talk."

Daniel smiled faintly. "No. They sent someone who knows how to listen."

Collin scoffed. "You should save your breath. I already told your officers nothing."

"I know," Daniel replied calmly. "That’s why I’m here."

Collin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Daniel leaned back in his chair, relaxed. "You’re enjoying this," he continued. "The silence. The confusion. The way everyone keeps guessing what you’ll say next."

Collin’s smirk deepened. "Am I supposed to deny that?"

"No," Daniel said. "You’re supposed to realize it’s already over."

That wiped the amusement from Collin’s face, just a fraction.

Daniel tapped the table once. "You like control. You erase your tracks, fabricate identities, disappear when things get uncomfortable. You surrender only when it suits you."

Collin leaned forward. "You think you know me?"

"I think," Daniel replied evenly, "that you surrendered because you were out of options."