Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 510: Looking for me?

[Rosewood House]

"How long do you plan on keeping us in the water?" Anna asked, scooping a handful of warm water and letting it fall gently back into the tub.

The soft ripple echoed in the quiet bathroom.

They had been sitting there for a while now, steam curling lazily around them. The lights were dim, casting a golden glow over the tiled walls. Anna traced her fingers idly through the water, watching the surface shimmer.

Daniel, on the other hand, seemed far less distracted by the water.

After their unhurried but intense moment under the shower, he had insisted on helping her "relax properly." What began as a practical suggestion had slowly turned into something far more intimate.

Now, seated behind her in the spacious tub, his arms rested loosely around her waist. His chin brushed lightly against her shoulder as if he had no intention of letting her go anytime soon.

"I’m ensuring you recover properly," he replied smoothly.

Anna rolled her eyes playfully. "From what exactly?"

"From the week," he answered without missing a beat.

She leaned back against him, feeling the steady warmth of his chest at her back. His hands moved slowly, almost absentmindedly, tracing lazy patterns along her arms.

"You’re suspiciously attentive," she teased.

Daniel’s lips curved faintly near her ear. "You’re suspiciously restless."

She laughed softly and splashed a little water in his direction.

"Don’t start," she warned lightly.

He caught her wrist gently before she could repeat the motion, holding it just long enough to make her breath hitch slightly.

"I’m not starting anything," he murmured. "You’re the one who keeps testing the water."

Anna tilted her head, giving him a sideways glance. "That’s because I can feel you thinking."

"And what am I thinking?" he asked quietly.

"That you’re not done."

His silence confirmed it.

She felt his hand slide slowly from her wrist down to lace his fingers with hers beneath the water. The touch was deliberate. Unhurried. Familiar.

"You’re right," he admitted softly. "I’m not."

Anna’s cheeks warmed, though she refused to look flustered.

"Daniel," she said, though her voice carried more amusement than protest.

He shifted slightly, his lips brushing lightly along the curve of her shoulder.

"You asked how long we’re staying," he reminded her. "I haven’t decided yet."

She leaned back fully against him now, surrendering to the warmth of both the water and his embrace.

"Then at least pretend you’re helping me relax," she said, though a smile tugged at her lips.

Daniel’s hands moved more deliberately, massaging gently along her shoulders, easing the tension she hadn’t even realized she was carrying.

"Better?" he asked.

Anna closed her eyes for a moment.

"Much."

But as his touch lingered just a second longer than necessary, she realized something.

They weren’t quite finished.

And judging by the quiet intensity in his eyes—

Neither of them intended to be anytime soon.

Daniel’s hand moved slowly along the curve of her waist, tracing gentle circles across her stomach before sliding lower with deliberate intent.

Anna’s breath caught as she leaned back against him, her eyes fluttering closed. The warmth of the water, the steam, and the steady rhythm of his touch made her senses blur together.

"Better?" he murmured against her ear, his voice low and teasing.

She let out a soft laugh that quickly turned into a quiet gasp as his touch grew more intentional, more knowing.

"Daniel..." she began, though the protest lacked conviction.

"Shh," he whispered, brushing his lips lightly against her shoulder. "No talking. Just relax."

His hands explored her slowly, confidently, as if he knew every reaction before it happened. The intimacy between them wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t frantic. It was controlled, unhurried, and deeply familiar.

Anna’s fingers gripped the edge of the tub as a shiver ran through her. Every touch felt amplified by the warm water surrounding them.

"This isn’t exactly your idea of relaxing," she breathed, her voice unsteady but amused.

Daniel chuckled softly behind her. "You’re responding well enough."

He continued at a pace that left her breathless, his movements patient but deliberate. The tension built gradually, each lingering touch drawing her closer to the edge of surrender.

Anna’s head fell back against his shoulder, her breathing uneven now. The teasing playfulness faded, replaced by something heavier. More consuming.

"Daniel..." she whispered again, this time not to protest.

He tightened his hold slightly, his lips brushing her temple as if grounding her while unravelling her at the same time.

The warmth inside her coiled tighter, her body reacting instinctively to the rhythm he set. She felt herself slipping, surrendering fully to the sensation.

And when the tension finally broke, it came with a soft cry against his skin, her fingers clutching his arm as she came undone in his embrace.

Daniel held her close, steadying her through the aftershocks, his hand smoothing gently along her arm.

"Relaxed?" he murmured, his voice softer now.

Anna exhaled slowly, her body still trembling slightly as she leaned into him.

"...Maybe a little," she replied, though the smile in her voice gave her away.

And in the quiet that followed, with steam still rising around them, they remained tangled together—warm, breathless, and completely unguarded.

Once Daniel was finally satisfied, he slowed, giving Anna the space to breathe and steady herself after their heated moment.

The steam in the bathroom had begun to fade by the time they stepped out. Towels wrapped around them, laughter lingering softly between them, the earlier intensity settling into something calmer and warmer.

Now Anna stood before the dressing table in the bedroom, running a comb slowly through her damp hair. Her cheeks were still faintly flushed, though whether from the hot water or from him, she wasn’t entirely sure.

Behind her, Daniel adjusted his watch and glanced at his phone.

"I’ll be back," he said, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Anna looked at him through the mirror. "Where are you going?"

"Just a quick call," he replied. "Don’t go anywhere."

She gave him a mock look. "Where would I even go?"

He smiled faintly and stepped out of the room.

The door clicked shut softly.

Anna continued combing her hair, her movements slower now as she replayed the evening in her mind. She had no idea how much time had passed. Between teasing, laughter, and losing themselves in each other, the hours had blurred completely.

She glanced at the clock on the bedside table.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"It’s already this late?" she murmured.

The night had slipped away unnoticed.

A small smile curved on her lips.

For once, she hadn’t been thinking about Collin. Or Norma. Or strategies and tension.

Just him.

She set the comb down and applied a light layer of moisturizer, catching her own reflection in the mirror. There was something different about the way she looked lately.

Lighter.

More certain.

She walked toward the window and pulled the curtains aside slightly. The garden outside was dimly lit, quiet, peaceful.

Too peaceful.

And then suddenly—

Darkness.

The garden lights flickered once and went out entirely.

"...Uh. What happened to the lights?" Anna muttered, her eyes darting across the now shadowed lawn.

For a second, she simply stood there, waiting for them to turn back on.

They didn’t.

The silence felt different now.

Heavier.

Anna swallowed.

She was alone in the room, and Daniel had stepped out only minutes ago. A dozen possibilities crossed her mind at once—most of them dramatic.

"Daniel?" she called out lightly at first.

No response.

She stepped toward the bedroom door and opened it.

"Daniel?" she tried again, louder this time.

Still nothing.

Her heart began to thud faster.

She walked down the hallway, bare feet silent against the wooden floor. The house felt unusually still. No footsteps. No voice. No movement.

"Daniel, this isn’t funny," she called, attempting to keep her tone steady.

Silence answered her.

Now her thoughts began racing.

What if someone had cut the power?

What if—

She shook her head quickly.

Don’t jump to conclusions.

She moved toward the staircase and descended quickly, glancing toward the living room.

"Daniel!" she called again.

Nothing. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The faint glow from emergency backup lights barely illuminated the interior. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the walls, making the house feel unfamiliar.

Her breathing quickened.

She reached for her phone, considering calling him, but before she could dial, she decided to check outside.

If he had gone to make a call, he might have stepped into the garden.

She unlocked the back door and stepped out carefully.

The garden was completely dark now, the night air cool against her skin.

"Daniel?" she called again, her voice carrying farther this time.

Still no response.

Her heart pounded harder.

She walked further out into the lawn, her eyes straining to adjust to the darkness.

"This isn’t funny!" she said, panic finally creeping into her tone. "Answer me!"

For a split second, she imagined the worst.

Collin.

Norma.

Anyone watching.

Her chest tightened.

"Daniel!" she shouted now.

And then—Click.

A soft sound followed by another and another.

One by one, warm fairy lights flickered back on around the garden. Strings of golden lights illuminated the trees, outlining the pathways and hedges.

Anna froze.

Candles lit up along the stone walkway. Soft lanterns glowed near the fountain. And at the center of the garden, a table stood decorated with flowers, gentle lights, and a small arrangement she immediately recognized as Daniel’s work.

She turned slowly.

Daniel stepped forward from the shadows, a faint, satisfied smile on his face.

"Looking for me?" he asked softly.