Remarriage Failed Again Today

The two of them explored for a while longer, trying the classic maze-solving technique of always heading in one direction, but they couldn’t find an exit.

Annabelle Linton handed Leona Grant a flashlight, and they split up.

’I’m so glad I had a backup plan and brought this stuff,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, I don’t know what we would’ve done.’

They went in different directions, agreeing to return to their starting point if they found nothing after 200 meters.

After half an hour of this, Annabelle Linton and Leona Grant returned to their starting point.

They then swapped directions and went another 200 meters. Two hours later, they still had nothing.

Leona Grant stared gravely at the maze. "This is a self-reconfiguring maze," he said. "The layout shifts every eight minutes and thirty-two seconds. We have to get out within that time frame, or we’ll be trapped here forever."

Annabelle Linton’s expression was just as grim. She had also noticed the walls were moving, but she hadn’t timed the interval.

’Eight minutes and thirty-two seconds? There’s no way we can get out in time.’

’Are they messing with us?’

’They might as well just put us out of our misery.’

Annabelle Linton’s already impassive face grew even colder.

Leona Grant saw her furrowed brow and suddenly said, "Annabelle Linton."

"What?"

"Call me ’hubby’."

"..."

Annabelle Linton shot him a sidelong glance as if he were an idiot. ’And here I thought he was going to say something important!’

Annabelle Linton coldly spat out two words, "You’re insane."

Leona Grant’s lips curved into a roguish smirk, amused by her reaction. "I’ve already figured out this maze’s pattern. Just call me ’hubby,’ and I’ll get you out of here safely."

Annabelle Linton gave him a surprised look.

’Then again, it makes sense,’ she thought. ’Leona Grant’s intelligence is off the charts. Otherwise, how could he have built the Grant Group into the powerhouse it is today?’

’But call him ’hubby’?’

Annabelle Linton rolled her eyes. "How childish."

"Not going to say it?"

"I can get out on my own, without you," Annabelle Linton said coolly.

’It’ll just take me a little more time, that’s all.’

Leona Grant was genuinely surprised to hear her say that.

’Come to think of it, she wasn’t scared when we fell down here, either. What about her claustrophobia?’

’I remember she’s always had it. During a thunderstorm one night when we were kids, the power went out and she burst into tears from fright.’

’He’d teased her about it for ages.’

Leona Grant’s expression slowly turned serious. He stared at her intently. "Annabelle Linton, aren’t you afraid? I remember you have claustrophobia. Why isn’t it acting up?"

Annabelle Linton scoffed.

’Being locked in a basement by him in my past life cured me of it, didn’t it?’

’Otherwise, how could I have lasted four months down there, just waiting for him to kill me with his own hands?’

’It was a psychological condition, but I had my baby with me then, so I got better. It hasn’t come back in this life.’

As these memories surfaced, a sarcastic smile touched Annabelle Linton’s lips. "What good would being afraid do? Do you have any idea what I’ve been through all these years? If I’d spent my time being scared, I’d be long dead by now."

Leona Grant looked at her defiant expression and listened to her words, a complex mix of emotions churning within him.

He pressed his lips together and said in a low voice, "I’ll protect you from now on."

"Hah."

Annabelle Linton scoffed but said nothing more.

’How laughable. And how ironic.’

’If only she could, she’d drag him back to her past life for a little look around.’

’She’d ask him if the slap in the face stings.’

Seeing her sarcastic expression, Leona Grant felt an unpleasant knot form in his chest.

He didn’t know why, but her every move and every word seemed to tug at him, stirring up unfamiliar feelings.

The two of them fell silent.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the passage.

"TAP, TAP—"