Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 364: Because surrendering only matters if it leads somewhere
Daniel had already sat up, watching her closely. "That tone," he said. "I don’t like that tone."
She offered him a reassuring look, though her mind was already racing. "Collin-"
"About Collin?" he asked, his jaw tightening.
She nodded. "Looks like he’s finally awake."
Daniel ran a hand through his hair and swung his legs off the bed. "So much for not leaving the bed today."
She smiled faintly. "Temporary separation."
He glanced at her. "You’re coming back."
It wasn’t a question.
"I am," she said firmly. "I promise."
He stood and stepped closer, his hands settling on her waist, grounding both of them. "Be careful," he murmured. "And don’t let him corner you."
She reached up, straightening his collar with a small, affectionate gesture. "I can handle myself. You married someone stubborn, remember?"
His lips curved despite the tension. "Unfortunately."
She leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips—soft, reassuring, deliberate. "I’ll call you."
Daniel watched her move away, already mentally preparing for the war he knew was waiting just beyond the door.
And this time, he wouldn’t let her face it alone, so in the end he tagged along.
***
"You are impossible, Mr. Clafford," Anna sighed in disbelief as she watched Daniel stride in right behind her—through the hospital doors and straight into the elevator as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Daniel didn’t even pretend otherwise. He pressed the button for the floor and stood beside her, arms crossed, expression set. "I’m not letting you go alone. Not when it involves Collin."
There was no mistaking the edge in his voice. Disdain clung to every syllable. The fact that Collin had specifically asked to see Anna clearly didn’t sit well with him—especially since she had only mentioned it once he’d already decided to come along.
"That," Anna muttered, "is exactly why I wasn’t planning on telling you."
Daniel turned slightly, leaning closer until his shoulder brushed hers. "And yet," he said softly, the corner of his lips lifting in a smug curve, "you did."
She looked up at him and pouted. "That’s not fair." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
"It never is with me," he replied shamelessly.
The elevator doors slid shut, enclosing them in a quiet hum. Anna folded her arms, stealing a sideways glance at him. Truthfully, she hadn’t intended to say anything. She’d planned to go alone, handle the conversation quickly, and spare him the frustration.
But then he’d started getting dressed.
Calm. Methodical. Completely unaware.
And the words had slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Now here he was.
Unavoidable. Unmovable.
She exhaled slowly. "Just don’t barge in when I’m talking to him," Anna warned, schooling her face into something serious.
Daniel scoffed instantly. "I don’t barge," he corrected. "I make timely entrances."
She shot him a look. "That’s exactly what I’m talking about."
The corner of his lips twitched, clearly amused, but he nodded anyway. "Fine. I’ll stand outside. For now."
Anna knew better than to believe that fully. If things between her and Collin escalated—even slightly—Daniel would be through that door before anyone could stop him. And truthfully, a part of her was relieved knowing he would be close.
Still, this moment mattered.
Collin had asked to see her. And that alone made this different.
She straightened her shoulders as they walked down the corridor. This wasn’t just about answers anymore. It was about intent. Collin had been silent for too long, defiant even under pressure. If he was willing to talk now, then it meant something had shifted.
And Anna wasn’t about to waste the opportunity that had come to her uninvited.
That was why, when the officer had called earlier, she hadn’t hesitated for even a second before agreeing. No overthinking. No consultations. Just instinct.
She hadn’t told Kathrine either.
Not because she didn’t trust her sister—but because she knew her too well. Kathrine’s temper was quick, her emotions raw where Collin was concerned. One wrong word, one loaded accusation, and the conversation would spiral before it ever reached the truth.
This needed calm. Control.
So when they finally reached the ward, Anna didn’t hesitate. She walked straight in, her steps steady, while Daniel remained outside, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the closed door like a silent sentinel.
***
[Inside Collin’s room]
Anna stopped short the moment her eyes landed on Collin.
He was already awake.
Propped up against the pillows, pale but alert, he looked nothing like the defiant man she remembered. It was almost as if he had been waiting—because the second his gaze lifted to meet hers, the deadpan emptiness in his eyes softened.
Relief flickered there.
"You’re finally awake," Anna said, breaking the silence before it could stretch into something heavier.
She resumed walking until she stood beside the bed, her posture calm, controlled.
"I heard you visited me last night," Collin said quietly. There was something almost grateful in his tone, as though the knowledge alone had steadied him. "The officer told me... you came to see me."
"I wanted to make sure you weren’t pretending," Anna replied evenly as she pulled a chair closer and sat down facing him. "Pulling an act just to flee later. I was being cautious."
She didn’t miss the change in his expression.
The faint softness in his eyes faded, replaced by something far more unsettling—pain.
Not anger. Not fear. But Pain.
Anna’s brows knit together almost imperceptibly.
Am I imagining this? she wondered. Or was that hurt real?
Collin nodded slowly, a small, weary smile tugging at his lips. "I wouldn’t," he said. "Not when I surrendered willingly."
That made her frown.
"You keep saying that," Anna said carefully. "And that’s exactly what doesn’t make sense to me."
She leaned back slightly, studying him. "Why would you surrender so easily, Collin?"
His fingers tightened against the bedsheet.
"For someone who fought so hard before," she continued, "who refused to speak, who resisted everything—why give up now?"
Collin exhaled, his gaze dropping to his hands. For a long moment, he didn’t answer.
"Because running doesn’t change the truth," he said finally, his voice low. "And I’m tired of carrying it alone."
Anna felt a chill slide down her spine.
"You had options," she pressed. "You could’ve disappeared. People like you always do."
He looked up at her then, really looked at her. "And live knowing I became exactly what they painted me to be?"
Silence settled between them.
Outside the room, Daniel shifted his weight, his jaw tightening as minutes passed.
Inside, Anna leaned forward slightly, her voice softer but firmer. "Then tell me the truth."
Collin swallowed.
"About everything," she added. "Because surrendering only matters if it leads somewhere."
His eyes held hers, conflicted, haunted—and for the first time since she’d met him, Anna had the unmistakable feeling that Collin Fort wasn’t the villain in this story.
At least not the only one.
