Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 524: Whoever killed me in the past life is still out there
Roseline’s heart raced violently as Hugo’s words settled into the silence between them. The way he looked at her—calm, calculating, and piercing—made her feel as if he could see straight through her.
For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
"Tell me, Roseline," Hugo said slowly, his voice measured, "why would you go to the hospital when you had already cancelled your appointment?"
His question snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts.
She blinked, forcing herself to remain still, forcing her expression not to betray the panic clawing inside her chest.
She did not know how long she could protect herself.
But she knew one thing for certain.
She could not afford to be exposed now.
"I... I had to cancel the appointment because Anna called me," she said.
Hugo’s brows drew together immediately.
"What?"
Roseline swallowed, adjusting slightly in her chair as she steadied herself.
"Yes," she continued, her voice more controlled now. "Anna called me."
She paused deliberately, watching his reaction carefully.
"She found out the truth," Roseline added. "She found out that you were not her biological father. And that I had lied to her."
Hugo went silent. Completely silent. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Roseline noticed the shift instantly. She felt a quiet relief settle inside her.
This part was not a lie. It was the truth which she twisted a bit and when used carefully, was far more convincing than any fabrication.
"If you do not believe me," she said calmly, "you can ask Anna yourself."
But she knew he would not. Not after everything that had happened, after Anna had severed her ties with them.
Roseline watched the conflict flicker across Hugo’s face. His suspicion. His anger. His doubt. And beneath it all... uncertainty.
She smirked internally, though her face remained carefully composed.
"I know you believe I married you with intentions," she said softly, letting hurt seep into her voice. "But you cannot keep blaming me for everything that has gone wrong in our lives."
Her eyes met his.
"Think about it, Hugo," she continued. "What would I gain by helping Collin? He did not hesitate to have someone stab me."
Her hand moved unconsciously toward her side, toward the place where the scar still remained.
The reminder. The betrayal. Hugo watched her carefully.
He could not deny that part. Collin had turned against her. He had tried to kill her.
It made no sense for her to help someone who had already betrayed her so brutally. And yet... The question remained.
If not for Collin... Then why had she gone to the hospital? Why had she lied?
Hugo said nothing. His silence stretched between them until Roseline exhaled slowly, rising from her chair.
"You cannot blame me, Hugo," she said, her voice steady, filled with quiet conviction. "Because everything I have ever done... was to protect you. To protect our family."
Her words lingered in the air. Strong and final.
Hugo did not respond.
He simply watched her.
Watched her as she turned away.
"Now, if you will excuse me," she added calmly, "I would like to be in my room."
Without waiting for permission, she walked away.
Her steps were steady. Unhurried. Controlled.
Hugo remained seated long after she disappeared from view, his eyes fixed on the empty space she had left behind and her words echoing in his mind.
***
[Cafe]
"You do realize I do not have the freedom to walk in and out of my workplace whenever I please," Kathrine said, her voice calm but firm as she stared across the table at Anna. "I might be the CFO, but I do not own the company."
Anna simply rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
Her reaction alone was enough to irritate Kathrine.
Not because Anna dismissed her authority, but because she treated everything as if it could be solved with sheer will. As if positions, rules, and consequences did not apply to her.
Not that Kathrine ever followed orders blindly either.
Especially not Norma’s.
Norma had made it to the very top of Kathrine’s list of people she tolerated only when absolutely necessary.
Kathrine leaned back slightly, crossing her arms.
"Anyways," she continued, shifting the subject, "what made you come looking for me the moment you got back to the city?"
This time, Anna did not roll her eyes.
Her expression changed.
A flicker of surprise crossed her face.
"How did you know I was not in the city?" Anna asked.
Kathrine scoffed lightly.
"All thanks to your husband," she replied. "He gave me a heads-up."
Anna blinked.
"And a warning," Kathrine added dryly, lifting her cup and taking a slow sip of her coffee, "not to bother the two of you on your birthday."
Anna’s lips parted slightly as realization dawned on her.
She remembered now.
Kathrine had texted her.
Multiple times.
And she had never replied.
"And thank you for replying to me," Kathrine added sarcastically, setting her cup down with deliberate calm.
Anna cleared her throat awkwardly.
"It is not like I ignored you on purpose," she said defensively.
Kathrine raised an eyebrow.
"I only saw your messages when we were on our way back home," Anna explained honestly. "I did not even have my phone with me most of the day."
Which was true.
Her entire birthday had been spent away from distractions.
Away from everyone else.
Just her and Daniel.
She had not realized how much time had passed until it was already over.
Kathrine believed her.
She could tell when Anna was lying, and this was not one of those times. There was no hesitation in her tone, no avoidance in her eyes. Just truth, plain and unguarded.
Still, that did not answer the real question.
"Anyways," Kathrine said, setting her cup down, "tell me why you wanted to meet me so urgently."
She watched as Anna exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders unmistakable.
For a moment, Anna said nothing.
Then she spoke.
"How did Daniel die in your past life, Kathrine?"
The question landed heavily between them.
Kathrine froze.
Her brows furrowed immediately, confusion flickering across her face.
"And... why would you want to know that?" she asked cautiously. "Aren’t we already struggling enough without digging into things we cannot change?"
Her fingers tightened slightly around her cup.
"Why make me remember something I do not want to?"
Because remembering meant feeling it all over again.
Anna held her gaze, her expression unwavering.
"Because," Anna said quietly, "I feel like whoever killed me in my past life... is still out there."
