Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 351: I resent her existence

The silence that followed was heavy.

Fredrick’s jaw clenched. "You have no idea what you’re talking about."

"I do," Ester replied quietly. "You’ve exhausted everyone else. Hugo is the last door you haven’t knocked on."

His lips curled in disdain. "That man would rather watch me burn than help."

"And yet," she said, stepping closer, "you’re still going."

He looked away, unable to deny it anymore.

"What choice do I have?" he muttered. "Daniel has turned the entire industry against me. No one will touch my name. If Hugo refuses too—"

"You’ll lose everything," Ester finished.

Her voice trembled, but she stood her ground, here eyes boring with conviction. "And what then, Fredrick? Have you thought what happens next"

His shoulders sagged just a little, the fight draining out of him. "You think I don’t know that?" he said bitterly. "Every door I built my life on is slamming shut."

Ester reached out hesitantly and placed a hand on his arm. "Then stop fighting everyone," she pleaded, but there was something in her eyes that made Fredrick pause.

They weren’t helpless.

They were sharp. Calculating.

Fredrick frowned, studying her face more closely. "What do you mean, Ester?" he asked slowly. "You don’t sound... desperate."

The shift hadn’t escaped him. The way her posture straightened. The way her gaze hardened, no longer clouded by fear. In that instant, he realized something he hadn’t considered before.

They might still have a way out.

Ester’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk. The mask she had worn moments ago slipped, revealing something colder beneath. Something deliberate.

"You’re right," she said calmly. "I’m not helpless."

Fredrick’s brows drew together. "Then what are you hiding?"

Ester withdrew her hand and folded her arms, her confidence unmistakable now. "I’ve already played my cards," she replied. "And I made sure to secure leverage before everything collapsed."

His eyes narrowed. "Leverage on who?"

She didn’t answer directly. Instead, she turned away, walking a few steps before looking back at him. "Let’s just say... Roseline is exactly where I want her to be."

Fredrick’s breath hitched. "You used her?"

Ester’s smile widened slightly. "I guided her," she corrected. "People like Roseline don’t realize they’re being handled until it’s far too late."

A flicker of something dark crossed her eyes, sending an unexpected chill down Fredrick’s spine.

"Just trust me, Fredrick," she said softly. "I won’t let you lose your footing. Not after everything we’ve built."

He stared at her, torn between relief and unease. "And what do you need from me?"

"Patience," Ester replied. "For once, do nothing. Let me work."

For a moment, Fredrick said nothing. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a tight smile.

"So you’re saying this isn’t the end," he murmured.

Ester met his gaze, unwavering. "No," she said. "This is only the beginning."

Fredrick had no idea what Ester had in her mind, but for now, when things weren’t going his way, all he could do was to rely on his wife and wait.

***

Meanwhile, back inside the bedroom of Clafford Mansion, Anna woke to the unnerving realization that she was being watched.

Not in a creepy way.

In a Daniel way.

Her eyes fluttered open, only to meet his gaze already fixed on her, soft and unguarded, like she was the only thing that existed in the world. His thumb traced a slow, absent minded path along the side of her neck, a tender trance that made her flinch slightly.

"Daniel," she muttered sleepily, batting at his hand. "Why are you staring at me like that? It’s disturbing."

He didn’t move away. In fact, his smile deepened.

"You look peaceful when you sleep," he said. "Rare. I was appreciating the miracle."

She squinted at him. "You appreciate people by poking them awake?"

"Touching," he corrected calmly. "Big difference."

Anna shifted, stretching before suddenly freezing. Her fingers brushed against a familiar sensitive spot on her neck and her eyes widened.

"Oh no," she groaned.

Daniel’s brow lifted innocently. "What?"

She pushed herself up slightly and leaned toward the mirror on the side table. The moment she saw it, she gasped.

"A mark?" She turned sharply toward him. "You left a mark. Again."

Daniel followed her gaze and hummed thoughtfully. "That one came out nicely."

She stared at him in disbelief. "Nicely? Daniel, I look like I lost a fight with a vampire."

He smiled unabashed. "A very handsome vampire."

"You have a habit," she accused, pointing at him. "Every single time, you leave something on my neck like it’s a signature."

Daniel leaned closer, resting his head on his hand. "I like consistency."

"That’s not romantic," Anna protested. "That’s territorial."

"Yes," he agreed easily.

She blinked. "You’re not even denying it?"

"Why would I?" he said, tracing the mark lightly with his thumb. "I’m just making sure people know you’re out of their league."

Anna laughed despite herself. "That makes zero sense."

"It makes perfect sense," Daniel replied. "Anyone who sees that will immediately know two things."

"And those are?"

"One," he said smoothly, "you’re taken."

She rolled her eyes. "And two?"

"That whoever you’re with is very confident," he finished.

Anna shook her head, trying not to smile. "You’re impossible."

"Yet you married me," he reminded her gently.

She sighed, then softened, resting her head against his chest again. "You know I don’t need marks for that. I already chose you."

His expression shifted at that, the teasing fading into something quieter, more sincere. He pressed a light kiss to her forehead.

"I know," he said softly. "But sometimes... I still need to remind myself you’re real."

Her annoyance melted instantly.

She looked up at him, eyes warm. "You could remind yourself without attacking my neck."

"I could," he admitted. "But where’s the fun in that?"

Anna laughed, hiding her face against his shoulder. "One day, I’m going to return the favor."

His brow arched. "Is that a threat?"

"A promise."

Daniel chuckled, pulling her closer. "I look forward to it."

They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of morning light, teasing words giving way to comfortable silence, unaware that one call was going to spoil everything.

Buzz...

"Let me check," Anna said, trying to pull away as her phone vibrated on the bedside table.

Daniel’s arm tightened around her waist instantly, pulling her back against him. "No."

She frowned, looking up at him. "No?"

"I know who’s calling," he muttered, a clear edge of disdain slipping into his voice.

Anna blinked at him, confused. "Who?"

"Of course, your sister," he replied flatly. "At the moment, she’s the only person on this planet who doesn’t want your husband to love you."

For a second, Anna just stared at him.

Then she burst out laughing.

Like, genuinely laughing.

"Daniel," she said between giggles, pressing her forehead against his chest, "you sound so offended."

"I am offended," he said seriously. "Deeply."

She tilted her head to look at him, eyes sparkling with amusement. "I didn’t realize you hated Kathrine this much."

"I don’t hate her," he corrected. "I resent her existence."

Anna laughed even harder. "That’s worse."

He shrugged unapologetically. "She questions everything I do. My intentions. My feelings. As if loving you is some sort of strategic error."

She smiled softly at that, pride warming her chest in a way she hadn’t expected. "You know she’s just being protective."

"She’s being intrusive," he countered. "There’s a difference."

Anna reached up and poked his cheek. "You’re jealous."

"I’m territorial," he replied smoothly. "Big difference."

She shook her head, still smiling. "You really don’t like the idea of anyone doubting you where I’m concerned, do you?"

Daniel’s gaze softened, his thumb brushing her cheek again, slower this time. "Because there’s nothing to doubt," he said quietly. "You’re mine. And I’m yours. Anyone who doesn’t like that can learn to live with it."

Her laughter faded into something warmer, more intimate.

"You sound very sure," she murmured.

"I am," he said without hesitation. "About you, especially."

The phone buzzed again, insistent this time.

Anna glanced at it briefly. "She’s persistent."

Daniel sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately."

She smiled, clearly enjoying this far too much. "Does it bother you that she doesn’t approve?"

He thought about it for a moment. "It would," he admitted, "if I needed approval."

She raised a brow. "And you don’t?"

"No," he said, leaning closer. "I already have yours."

Her expression softened instantly. "You’re ridiculously confident."

"Only because you chose me," he replied.

Anna laughed under her breath, then finally reached for her phone. "Fine. I’ll call her back later."

Daniel smirked in victory. "Good."

She settled back into his arms, content, teasing laced with something deeper. Hearing him openly resent the idea of anyone coming between them made her feel strangely secure.

Proud, even.

"Just so you know," she said lightly, eyes closing, "she’ll eventually have to accept it."

Daniel hummed. "She will."

"And if she doesn’t?"

His hold on her tightened just a fraction. "Then she’ll learn."

And Anna couldn’t help but smile to herself.