The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 382 Burden Of Guilt Chapter 382 Burden Of Guilt She stopped , eyes heavy with guilt , and stared at the headstone . +10 Free Coins Despite Serena's insults , Quinn still had to seek a truce and even plead for the girl who had mocked her parents . As they left Hero's Memorial Garden and steered the car toward Jexburgh , Leander's phone vibrated with an incoming call from the Fane family . Moments after he answered , the blood drained from his face . " Everett Fane heard we visited the Memorial today . He wants us to meet him the moment we reach Jexburgh .

" He turned to Quinn after hanging up . " Us ? " Quinn echoed , thrown off balance . " Yes . He wants to meet you , " Leander said . Quinn pressed her lips together . Perhaps it is time to meet the patriarch of the Fane family . " I'll go ," she said . " But what about you ? Will you stand before him as Leander Fane - or as Rowan Bridger ? " Leander fell silent for a moment , then spoke . " Years ago , Lady Margaret saved me . Her support paid for my treatment . Without it , I wouldn't have survived a single month .

Somehow , somewhere along the way , Lady Margaret fixed an idea in her heart . She decided I belonged to the Fane bloodline - that I was Mr. Everett Fane's son . Perhaps the illusion came from resemblance . Photographs of Everett in his youth look almost like mirrored versions of me . " Quinn stared at him , astonishment widening her eyes . " But you're not . A simple DNA test would settle everything . " He let out a quiet breath , then said , " Yes , everyone in the Fane family knows I'm not . But no one dares speak the truth . Lady Margaret lost her daughter years ago .

The shock damaged her mind , and age only deepened the haze . She can't bear Everett's being childless , so tearing away the lie would worsen her illness . " " So you let them label you Everett's illegitimate son ? " Quinn asked . Leander dipped his head . " I gave Everett my word . The Fane family saved my life . Until the day Lady Margaret closes her eyes forever , I will answer to the name Leander Fane . " Besides , after Lena fell gravely ill , the family's wealth became the only anchor he had to keep her treatment going .

1/3 17:31 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 382 Burden Of Guilt $ 40 +10 Free Coins In that instant , clarity dawned for Quinn . Now she finally sensed why her brother clung so fiercely to the borrowed identity even after reading the DNA test report that proved he was Rowan . By the time the two of them returned to Jexburgh , night had already draped the capital in velvet shadows . Inside the suite's reception lounge , Quinn came face - to - face with Everett , the family patriarch whose elegance was said to sheath a ruthless core .

" You must be Quinn , " Everett began , voice mild but carrying steel beneath it . " When I heard you took a bullet for Leander in Doria , I knew I had to meet the person brave enough to shield him . " Quinn met his gaze without flinching , her back straight , her expression unreadable . Though he had crossed into his sixties , the man did indeed look like Rowan . Seen side by side , no stranger would doubt they were father and son . She imagined that in Everett's youth , the resemblance must have been even sharper - almost unsettlingly so .

" I don't need the Fane family's gratitude , " she said , her voice firm . " I saved my brother . That was nothing more than my duty ." " Your brother ? " Everett's eyes narrowed , a'sliver of cold light glittering beneath his lashes . " You and I both know the truth , " Quinn continued . " He is Rowan Bridger - my brother . " Everett shifted his gaze to Leander . " And you ? Do you see yourself as Rowan Bridger or as Leander Fane ? " Leander drew in a steadying breath . " I am Rowan Bridger , son of Montague and Arlene , Quinn's elder brother .

My memories may be gone , but that fact will never change . " A shadow crossed Everett's face . " So you intend to live as Rowan ? " " I will not forget my promise ," Leander said . " The Fane family saved both me and Lena . Until Lady Margaret's final day , I will answer to Leander- but only in front of her . " After listening to Quinn recount fragments of the childhood he had lost , he found the mask of Leander Fane growing unbearably tight . He could no longer pretend to be someone else entirely . 2/3 17:31 Wed , Sep 10 ...

40 Chapter 382 Burden Of Guilt +10 Free Coins His parents and sister had never stopped searching for him , refusing to give up even when hope seemed thin . Montague and Arlene had died with one great regret - never reuniting with their lost son . Everett's tone sharpened . " Only before Lady Margaret ? So , everywhere else you'll be Rowan ? You underestimate how quickly news reaches her . Within a month , she will know . " " Then we must find another way to assure her I'm still Leander , " he replied . Rolling the prayer beads between his fingers , Everett spoke slowly . " Ms.

Bridger , if you will accept the Fane family's gratitude , we can provide fifty million as a token of thanks . If you refuse ..." 17:31 Wed , Sep 10