Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 460: I love you Ethan

Kathrine turned to him, still smiling. "You basically just told me you want to emotionally sabotage me."

"Romantically sabotage," he corrected. "There’s a difference."

She shook her head, the heaviness in her chest easing just a little.

Ethan reached over and gently tugged her toward him until she was half lying against his shoulder.

"Look," he said softly, "you’re allowed to walk away from things that hurt you. Even if they’re family. Especially if they’re family."

She rested her head against him. "You’re surprisingly wise for someone who fake-argues with pillows."

"I contain multitudes."

She laughed again, quieter this time.

For the first time all evening, her thoughts felt less like a storm and more like a breeze.

"You really think I’m not being selfish?" she asked.

Ethan didn’t hesitate. "No. I think you’re finally being fair to yourself."

She closed her eyes, breathing him in.

"Don’t get used to it," she murmured. "I might go back to being emotionally unstable tomorrow."

He smirked. "That’s fine. I have a lifetime subscription to teasing you."

She tilted her head up slightly. "You’re really not going to let me have one dramatic, brooding moment?"

"Nope," he said cheerfully. "If you start brooding, I will absolutely distract you with snacks, sarcasm, or unsolicited cuddles."

She smiled, genuine this time.

Kathrine had never thought she deserved someone like Ethan.

Not after everything she had done in her past life. Not after all the choices she still carried like invisible scars.

And yet here she was—lying beside him, laughing, breathing, existing in a space where she wasn’t judged or questioned.

Just... accepted.

She turned her head to look at him.

Really look at him.

The way his eyes softened when he watched her. The way his thumb absentmindedly traced circles on the back of her hand, like it was second nature.

And suddenly, the thought hit her.

I’m grateful.

So grateful it almost hurt.

Before Ethan could even register the shift in her expression, Kathrine leaned in and kissed him.

Not hesitant.

Not careful.

Her lips claimed his with a quiet urgency, and he froze for half a second in surprise before instinct took over.

"Kath—" he started, but the word died against her mouth.

She shifted, gently pushing him back against the mattress as she climbed over him, her knees settling on either side of his hips.

Ethan blinked up at her. "Well... this escalated quickly."

She smiled against his lips. "You talk too much."

"Noted," he murmured, hands automatically sliding to her waist.

The kiss deepened—slow, warm, unhurried. Not desperate, just full. Like all the unsaid emotions were finally finding somewhere to go.

"You okay?" he whispered softly, forehead resting against hers.

She nodded. "I just... wanted you."

That made his breath hitch.

"You say things like that very casually for someone who knows what they do to me."

She laughed quietly. "Good."

His hands tightened slightly on her hips. "You’re dangerous."

She leaned down again, brushing her lips along his jaw. "And you’re not?"

"Touché."

Their laughter faded into softer breaths, the space between jokes dissolving into something heavier, warmer.

Ethan brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "You know you don’t have to prove anything to me, right?"

Kathrine paused, her expression softening.

"I know," she said quietly. "That’s why this feels... safe."

His gaze softened even more.

"Then come here," he whispered.

She did.

And this time, the kiss wasn’t playful or teasing—it was slow, intimate, filled with everything they didn’t need to explain.

Ethan’s hands didn’t rush. They never did with her.

They rested at her waist, warm and steady, like he was anchoring her to the moment instead of pulling her deeper into it. Kathrine felt the difference immediately—the absence of urgency, the quiet intention behind every touch.

She leaned into him, her forehead resting against his, eyes half-closed.

The world felt smaller like this. Softer. As if everything loud and painful had been pushed outside the room, leaving only the quiet rhythm of their breathing and the faint hum of the city beyond the window.

"You’re thinking again," Ethan murmured, brushing his thumb along her cheek.

She smiled faintly. "You always notice."

"It’s my curse. I can tell when your brain starts spiraling even when you’re kissing me." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

She huffed a quiet laugh and pressed her lips to his again, slower this time. Not to distract herself—but to stay present.

He responded gently, one hand sliding up her back, not exploring, not demanding—just holding her there, like she might drift away if he didn’t.

Kathrine’s chest tightened at that.

Not in fear. In something closer to... safety.

She had spent so much of her life bracing for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for affection to turn into obligation. For closeness to become a debt she would eventually have to pay.

But with Ethan, there was no unspoken transaction.

Only this.

She shifted slightly, settling more comfortably against him, her weight balanced, her movements unhurried.

"Can I ask you something?" she whispered.

He nodded, his nose brushing hers. "Always."

"Why are you so... patient with me?"

He blinked, genuinely caught off guard. "Is that a trick question?"

"No." She looked at him seriously now. "I mean it. You don’t push. You don’t rush. You don’t get annoyed when I pull back. You just... stay."

Ethan was quiet for a moment.

Then he said softly, "Because I want you, not a version of you that feels easier or faster. And because I know what it’s like to be afraid of being held."

Her throat tightened.

She didn’t reply with words. She just leaned in again, resting her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

It was steady. Calm.

Not like hers.

Ethan’s arms wrapped around her fully now, drawing her closer, not trapping her, just enclosing her in warmth. His chin rested lightly on her head, his breath warm in her hair.

For a long moment, they didn’t move at all.

They just existed.

Kathrine felt something inside her slowly loosen. A knot she hadn’t even realized she was still carrying.

"I don’t feel like I have to pretend with you," she said quietly.

"Good," he replied just as softly. "Because I’m really bad at dealing with fake versions of people."

She smiled against his chest. "You’d survive."

"Barely. I’d complain constantly."

She laughed, the sound muffled but real, and lifted her head to look at him again.

Their eyes met.

And this time, the kiss that followed wasn’t about desire or urgency—it was about recognition.

About choosing each other in the quiet.

Ethan cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing her cheekbones, like he was memorizing her expression. The way her eyes softened when she smiled. The way her lips parted slightly before every kiss.

Kathrine felt seen in a way that made her chest ache.

Not exposed.

Seen.

She kissed him again, slower still, lingering in the spaces between.

"I love you Ethan"

"..."