Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 361: I deserve it

Daniel had no idea how long he had been asleep when he finally woke up. For a brief moment, he lay still, disoriented, the weight of exhaustion pressing heavily on him. Then he opened his eyes fully.

The first thing he saw was Anna.

She sat beside him, quietly watching, her expression unreadable but intent. He should have been startled by her presence, by the way her gaze held him so steadily. Instead, an unfamiliar awkwardness settled over him.

After last night, nothing felt simple anymore.

He pushed himself up slowly, avoiding her eyes. "How long did I sleep?" he asked, his voice rough.

Without waiting for an answer, he reached for his phone on the bedside table and checked the time. It was later than he expected. Yet even as he stared at the screen, he could feel her gaze on his back, warm and unrelenting.

Daniel exhaled quietly.

With Norma now firmly in the picture and Anna clearly in her crosshairs, he knew there was no room left for half-truths or omissions. Trust was fragile. He had learned that the hard way. And breaking it—even unintentionally—would be the biggest mistake of his life.

That was why he had told her everything.

Or almost everything.

He had decided not to hold back anymore, because sooner or later Anna would uncover the truth on her own. Better it came from him than from someone else’s weaponized version.

Still, now that the night had passed and daylight had crept in, all he felt was embarrassment. Exposure. Vulnerability.

And fear.

The word surfaced uninvited.

Divorce.

The thought tightened his chest.

When the silence stretched too long, Daniel stood abruptly, as if movement alone could help him escape his spiraling thoughts. He took a step toward the door.

"Wait there, Daniel."

Her voice stopped him instantly.

He went still, his back to her, and watched her reflection approach in the mirror. She stepped in front of him, close enough that he had no choice but to acknowledge her presence.

Daniel looked away, jaw tightening. He was suddenly terrified of what she might say. Why would she stay with a man who openly admitted he was planning to destroy her family? A man who had married her not out of pure intention, but strategy.

Who used her marriage as leverage against the Bennetts.

"Is this how you’re going to behave?" Anna asked quietly, hurt threading through her words. "Avoiding me the very first morning and pretending I don’t exist?"

She searched his face, seeing through the indifference he was forcing onto himself.

Daniel swallowed hard.

"That’s not—" He stopped himself, his voice failing him. He let out a breath and finally met her eyes. "I didn’t want to put you in a position where you had to choose."

His hands clenched at his sides. "I know what I confessed last night isn’t something anyone can accept easily. And if you want to leave... I won’t stop you."

The words tasted bitter.

"I won’t beg," he added quietly. "I’ve never been good at that."

But the truth lingered between them, raw and undeniable.

He was afraid. Afraid that loving him meant inheriting his war.

Anna studied him for a long moment.

Too long.

Long enough for Daniel’s chest to tighten and his mind to start filling the silence with every possible worst-case scenario. She saw the fear there—undeniable, unmasked—and instead of softening immediately, a strange idea crossed her mind.

If he was so certain she would leave...Maybe he needed to feel it. Just a little.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she exhaled. "I see," she said quietly.

Daniel’s stomach dropped.

She stepped back, creating distance between them, and nodded to herself as if she had reached a conclusion. "You’re right. You did put me in an impossible position."

Daniel opened his mouth, then closed it again. His throat felt dry.

"I mean," Anna continued calmly, turning away, "who would want to stay married to a man who married her with an agenda? Who’s planning to destroy her family?"

Each word felt like a controlled strike.

She walked toward the wardrobe and pulled out a small suitcase from beneath it. Daniel’s heart slammed violently against his ribs.

"Anna," he said, his voice strained. "What are you doing?"

She ignored him.

She opened the suitcase and began folding clothes with deliberate slowness—too neat, too methodical. Daniel stood frozen near the door, watching his life unravel one T-shirt at a time.

"I think you’re right," she said lightly. "Maybe this was a mistake."

That was it.

Daniel snapped.

In three long strides, he crossed the room and grabbed her wrist. "Stop."

Anna turned to face him, brows raised in mock surprise. "What?"

"You’re not leaving," he said firmly.

She tilted her head. "You just told me you wouldn’t stop me."

"I lied."

Her lips twitched.

Daniel ran a hand through his hair, frustration and panic colliding spectacularly. "Okay, fine. I didn’t lie. I thought I was being noble. Turns out I’m terrible at it."

Anna bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling.

She reached for another piece of clothing. Daniel snatched it mid-air.

"Hey!"

"You’re not packing," he said.

"And who’s going to stop me?" she challenged.

"You married me," he replied instantly. "That legally makes you bad at dramatic exits."

She blinked. "That’s the worst argument I’ve ever heard."

"I’m under emotional distress," he shot back. "My logic is compromised."

Despite herself, Anna let out a small laugh.

Daniel seized the opportunity. "You laughed," he pointed out. "That means you’re not actually leaving."

She crossed her arms. "Or it means I’m laughing at how ridiculous you look right now."

He scoffed. "I look dignified."

"You’re barefoot," she said, glancing down.

Daniel looked at his feet. "That’s irrelevant."

Anna sighed theatrically and reached for the suitcase zipper.

Daniel panicked again.

"Anna, wait—okay, okay!" he blurted. "I’ll say it. I don’t want you to go."

She paused but didn’t look at him.

"I know I married you with a plan," he continued, voice lower now. "I know that’s unforgivable but.... I fell in love with you. And that part wasn’t planned."

Her hands stilled.

"I don’t care if you yell at me," he said quickly. "Or throw things. I deserve it. But don’t walk away like this." This time his voice cracked and it was then Anna finally stopped.