Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 585: Let’s make a deal

"You were never this sensible before. Then why are you suddenly acting out of character, Dad? It’s confusing," Ethan said with a sad laugh.

He had never imagined that a prideful man like his father could ever have a change of heart. Marcus had always been someone Ethan believed was incapable of empathy. Seeing him like this now felt strange, almost unreal.

Marcus chuckled softly, though tears still brimmed in his eyes.

"Maybe I changed now that I have less time to live and make amends for my past actions."

Ethan could tell Marcus was trying to act normal, but he was failing badly.

Ethan had already decided to end his relationship with his father the day Marcus asked Kathrine to leave him.

But Kathrine had wanted him to think differently. She had asked him not to judge Marcus solely for the man he had been before.

Only for Ethan to later discover his condition.

"I might not have been a good father, Ethan, but I know you are not like me. You will be a good father to your children."

Ethan looked at his father and watched him smile.

"I might be wrong in my judgment about Kathrine. But you know what? I simply see Stephane in her. She is just like your mother, and I know she would love you regardless of who you are."

Marcus had realized it the very day Kathrine confessed how deeply she loved his son and how unimaginable life without him felt.

It had made him reflect on his own life. Once, Stephane had said the same thing to him. Yet he never held on to those words while he built his empire, until the day he found himself the only one left in it.

"I am not asking you to forgive me, Ethan. But I want to spend my last days with you," Marcus said, making Ethan stare at him in disbelief.

Ethan didn’t say anything, but in his silence he was slowly compelling to his father’s wish.

***

Roseline sat comfortably in the living room, watching the news with quiet satisfaction. The television screen was filled with reporters discussing the scandal surrounding Norma and Daniel. Public outrage had turned against them, and the sympathy that followed had slowly shifted toward her.

A faint smile curved Roseline’s lips.

"She thinks she can expose me. In your dreams, Norma. I won back then, and I will win this time too."

She switched off the television and rose from the couch, preparing to leave for the hospital.

With Hugo now lying in a coma, she finally had the space she needed to plan the next move. She and Collin still had to secure the Clafford shares, and Anna would be the key to everything.

Lost in thoughts of her coming victory, Roseline did not even bother checking the caller ID when her phone rang.

"Hello."

"It’s Norma."

The moment Roseline heard that familiar arrogant tone, the smile on her face disappeared.

"What do you want, Norma? Did you call to threaten me? If so, it’s pointless."

Roseline expected retaliation or anger, but Norma’s calm voice made her frown.

"I want to meet you, Roseline."

Roseline’s frown deepened.

For a few seconds she remained silent, weighing the words.

"And you don’t get to decline, Roseline."

Before Roseline could respond, the call ended.

She stared at the phone in disbelief.

At first, she intended to ignore the woman completely.

Then her phone buzzed again.

Roseline frowned and opened the message. The moment she saw the photo attached, the color drained from her face.

Her blood ran cold.

A second message followed immediately.

Now you won’t think of ignoring me.

Roseline swallowed hard.

Whatever Norma had just sent was not a bluff.

Without wasting another second, she grabbed her bag and hurried out of the house. But instead of heading to the hospital, she drove straight toward the location Norma had sent.

"That was quick."

Norma’s lips curled into a faint smirk as Roseline arrived at the quiet café on the outskirts of the city. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

What amused her more than Roseline’s speed was the fury blazing in the woman’s eyes as she approached.

"What do you want, Norma?" Roseline snapped.

Norma did not answer immediately. She calmly lifted her teacup and took another slow sip, her gaze drifting lazily out the window as if Roseline’s anger meant nothing.

"Won’t you sit?" Norma said finally. "Then we can talk like civilized people."

Her voice remained calm, yet the authority in it was unmistakable.

Roseline clenched her jaw.

She hated the way Norma spoke to her, as if she held all the power now. Still, she had no choice. She pulled out the chair and sat across from her.

Norma set the teacup down and finally looked at her.

The warmth from her earlier smile vanished completely.

"Let’s get straight to the point, Roseline."

Her eyes turned cold.

"I know you were foolish enough to go before the media and risk everything. But did you really believe that would stop me from exposing your lies?"

Roseline’s throat tightened.

Norma suddenly let out a low, almost manic chuckle.

"I can still drag your name through the dirt," she continued quietly. "Even if my own reputation burns along with it."

Roseline’s eyes flickered with unease.

She had assumed the public backlash would force Norma to retreat, that the humiliation alone would make her abandon the court case.

But she had miscalculated.

And now that realization began to settle like ice in her chest.

As the thought spiraled through her mind, Roseline felt as if she were slowly sinking into darkness.

"But there is one thing that can save you."

Norma’s voice cut sharply through her thoughts.

Roseline blinked and looked up.

Norma was watching her closely now, that faint smirk returning to her lips.

The sight made Roseline’s stomach twist.

"I know what you and Collin are planning," Norma said.

Roseline’s body stiffened.

"But trust me," Norma continued lightly, "that man is far more cunning than you think."

The moment Collin’s name left her mouth, Roseline’s composure cracked.

"What are you talking about?" she asked quickly.

Norma laughed, clearly amused.

"Come on, Roseline. Don’t insult me by pretending." Her eyes gleamed with cold amusement. "You and Collin may have joined hands, but have you ever stopped to ask yourself why he approached you in the first place? Why he suddenly agreed to help after you threatened to destroy him?"

Roseline’s lashes trembled.

Under the table, her fingers curled tightly into her palms.

Norma leaned back in her chair, watching her reaction with satisfaction.

"Because I told him to."

Roseline’s jaw clenched.

"He came to you because I wanted him to," Norma continued calmly. "Collin and I made that arrangement together. He approached you so we could destroy you and Hugo from the inside."

Roseline felt the ground shift beneath her. Her heart dropped violently in her chest.

For a moment, she could not breathe. But then memories rushed back.

The first time Collin had confronted her.

The threat in his voice.

The cold calculation in his eyes.

At first, he had tried to intimidate her. Yet everything had changed when he began talking about Norma. About bringing her down. About finally ending the chaos so they could all live peacefully.

And Roseline had believed him.

Because the moment Collin revealed Daniel’s true identity, everything in her world had shattered.

Daniel... George’s son.

The man who had quietly stepped into their lives to avenge his dead father.

That truth had ignited something dark inside her.

Betrayal. Rage. The feeling of being played.

And when Norma had begun targeting Hugo soon after, everything suddenly seemed to make sense.

Collin’s words had filled in the gaps.

Every accusation.

Every suspicion.

Every conflict.

Roseline had accepted them without question, her anger sharpening toward the people she believed had deceived her.

She and Hugo had always thought Daniel was nothing more than a pawn they were using.

But now, as Norma’s words echoed in her ears, a horrifying realization crept into her mind.

Daniel had never been the pawn.

He had been the one pulling the strings all along.

When Roseline remained silent, Norma continued speaking.

"But now I have realized something. He was not just playing you. He was playing me as well."

Roseline’s gaze flickered, but she still said nothing.

Norma leaned slightly forward, her voice lowering.

"You may think Collin is on your side, but he isn’t, Roseline. The moment he finishes dealing with me, he will discard you too. Do you really believe he has forgotten what you did to him?"

Roseline slowly lifted her head.

The fear in her eyes was no longer hidden.

Norma watched her closely, a quiet satisfaction settling in her chest. For the first time since their meeting began, Roseline finally looked shaken.

Exactly how she wanted her to be.

"Which is why I called you here," Norma said calmly, locking her gaze with Roseline’s.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then Norma’s lips curved slightly.

"Let’s make a deal, Roseline."

A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes.

Roseline stared back at her with guarded caution. The silence that followed felt heavy and suffocating, as if the air between them had thickened with unspoken threats.