Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 416: I don’t want to be here

Jason’s voice faded into the background as the room grew quieter.

"Focus on your breathing," he instructed calmly. "Slow and steady."

Kathrine did as told. In... out. In... out.

"You’re safe," he said softly, standing close enough that she could sense him even with her eyes closed. "Nothing you see can hurt you. Just tell us what you feel."

Her shoulders loosened slightly.

Once Jason realized she was ready he finally began the seeions.

"Imagine time like a long hallway," Jason said. "Every step you take moves you backward. You don’t have to rush. I’m right here."

Kathrine swallowed. "I see it," she whispered.

"Good," Jason said. "Let’s start where you are now. Tell me what you feel."

"I’m... tired," she murmured. "But lighter than before. I’m not running anymore."

"Take one step back," he guided. "How old are you?"

"...Twenty-four." Her brow furrowed.

"I’m packing boxes. Everything feels unfinished. I keep thinking I forgot something important." Her fingers twitched. "There’s a phone in my hand. I don’t want to call."

Jason’s jaw tightened, but his voice stayed even. "Go back another step."

"...Twenty-one." Her breathing hitched.

"I’m crying in the bathroom. The lights are too bright." She shook her head faintly. "I keep washing my hands. They won’t stop shaking. Someone is shouting outside. I can’t hear the words, just the anger."

Jason made a note. "You’re doing well," he said.

"One more step."

"...Eighteen."

Kathrine’s lips trembled.

"I’m sitting on the edge of a bed."A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. "I don’t want to feel this way but something just make me feel overwhelmed. Someone told me I’m difficult to love."

Jason’s fingers curled into his palm. "Keep going," he said gently.

"...Fifteen."

Her voice softened, younger.

"I’m studying late. There’s pressure. Always pressure." She frowned. "I don’t remember who put it there. I just know failing isn’t allowed."

Another step.

"...Twelve."

Her body tensed.

"I don’t talk much anymore. It’s easier to stay quiet." She paused. "There’s a secret I don’t understand yet, but I know I’m not supposed to ask about it."

Jason stilled hearing her words. But then took a note of it.

"Go back," he said quietly.

"...Ten."

Kathrine inhaled sharply.

"I don’t like strangers. I smile anyway." Her fingers clenched together. "Adults say I’m mature for my age. I don’t feel mature. I feel... tired."

"Another step," Jason urged, his voice steady despite the storm behind his eyes.

"...Nine."

Her breathing quickened.

"I don’t like this year," she whispered. "Things change here."

"What changes?" Jason asked.

"Trust," she replied immediately. "I stop trusting easily."

Jason leaned forward slightly. "Go back further," he said.

"...Eight."

Kathrine’s expression softened briefly.

"I still laugh here." A faint smile touched her lips. "I play with colors. I like drawing doors and windows. I think everyone has somewhere safe to go."

Jason’s chest tightened.

"One more step," he said. "You’re doing great."

"...Seven."

The word came out barely audible.

Her entire body stiffened.

The room seemed to hold its breath.

"I’m small," she said slowly. "My feet don’t touch the floor."

"What do you see?" Jason asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"A room." Her brows pulled together. "It’s not dark. It’s... wrong." She swallowed. "I don’t understand why I’m here."

Jason’s pen stilled.

"Who’s with you?" he asked.

"No one..." Kathrine whispered, her voice trembling. "But I can hear them. Their voices... faint. From outside the door."

Her chest felt unbearably heavy, as if something was pressing down on her from the inside. A tear slipped from the corner of her closed eye and rolled down her temple.

"I’m begging them to take me out," she cried softly. "I’m calling them, but they’re not listening."

The distress in her voice made Jason’s frown deepen. He stepped closer, his tone calm but alert. "Kathrine, why are you crying? What’s happening?"

There was a brief moment of silence.

Her eyelids fluttered rapidly, as though she were watching the memory unfold right in front of her.

"H-He said..." she stammered, her small voice cracking, "he said Uncle Gorge brought me a gift."

Her breath hitched violently.

"But now I’m alone," she sobbed. "I’m trapped inside a room."

Jason’s brows drew together sharply the moment she said the name.

Gorge.

His hand paused mid-air.

He knew that name far too well.

Kathrine had told everyone—police, family, the media—that Gorge had abducted her. That single statement had shattered lives, destroyed a family that once stood whole. Jason had witnessed the aftermath, the way Daniel’s family had been torn apart beyond repair.

Yet now...

Uncle Gorge brought me a gift.

Jason’s throat went dry. Something was wrong.

He opened his mouth to ask more.

Every instinct in him screamed that they were standing on the edge of something monumental—something that could overturn years of truth, accusations, and buried guilt. His fingers tightened around his pen as he leaned forward slightly.

"Kathrine," he said carefully, keeping his tone gentle, "I need you to focus for a moment. Who is the person who said Uncle Gorge has brought you a gift"

Suddenly, Kathrine’s body jerked.

A sharp gasp tore from her throat, her back arching against the recliner as if an invisible weight had slammed into her chest. Her hands flew to her temples.

"It hurts—" she cried. "My head hurts so bad!"

Jason reacted instantly. "Kathrine!" He stepped forward, gripping her hand tightly. "Look at me. You’re here. You’re safe."

But she couldn’t hear him.

Her breathing became erratic, shallow and fast, each inhale sounding more panicked than the last. Tears streamed freely now, soaking into the fabric beneath her head.

Jason’s professional calm shattered.

"Kathrine, listen to my voice," he said firmly, moving closer and checking her pulse. It was racing—far too fast. "You’re not there anymore. You’re in my clinic."

She shook her head violently.

"I don’t want to be here," she sobbed. "That man is scary"

Her words dissolved into a strangled cry.

As the monitors beside her began to beep faster, Jason cursed under his breath.

"That’s enough," he said sharply. "We’re stopping the session. Now."

Jason knew pushing Kathrine during the first session would be too much, so when he realized it was time to stop, he did.