The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 491 The Ripples Chapter 491 The Ripples While fishing , Quinn's phone buzzed ; Laura's name lit the screen . +20 Free Coins " Darling , those trending photos of you and Julius are gorgeous . Honestly , the clips look like scenes straight out of a romance movie . " " You're exaggerating . " Quinn said with an easy laugh . " Seriously , though , is everything okay between you two ? In the videos , his face screams , ' She's about to dump me again . " " Everything's fine .

" Still , as she answered , Quinn lifted her gaze toward the water where Julius sat beside her uncle , rod in hand yet mind clearly elsewhere . Today , more than ever , she sensed Julius ' thoughts drifting far from the quiet lake and the silver lines they cast . It had started right after his visit to the detention center to see his father the day before ; since then , something inside him had been unsettled . Did his father truly speak only of his mother's illness , or had he revealed something darker- something Julius dared not share ? " The hashtag's still up - no PR suppression at all .

Are you planning to make the relationship fully public now ? " " Tomorrow morning " Quinn announced , irises bright with certainty , " the Whitethorn family and the Fane clan will release a joint statement - no more whispers , no more speculation . Everyone will finally know we're officially together . Once we touch down in Azania , Julius and I plan to plunge straight into wedding preparations . Goodness , marriage already ? " Laura gasped , nearly dropping her wineglass as the words tumbled out . " You two only just got back together - this is lightning - fast !

" " Because I'm sure Quinn replied , voice soft but unshakable . I know I want to spend the rest of my life with Julius , so why waste time ? " " Fair point , Laura murmured , then brightened like a theater's lights coming up . " When the big day arrives . I'm absolutely standing beside you as your maid of honor ! " " Of course , Quinn laughed , warmth spilling from her dimples .

" I wouldn't have it any other way ." 1/3 57 16:48 Sat , Oct 18 A Chapter 491 The Ripples +20 Free Coins The evening air was calm , cicadas humming , when a sudden splash shattered the hush - water erupting in a single startled plume . Quinn's head snapped up . Julius had somehow slipped off the dock , churning in the lake , while Everett knelt ashore , frantically extending a fishing line so Julius could latch onto the hook for leverage She didn't hesitate . Boots pounded the wooden planks , then her body arced like a spear and pierced the dark water beside him .

An hour later , they were back at the manor . Steam from scalding showers still clung to their skin as they changed into fresh clothes and accepted steaming bowls of chicken soup from a passing housekeeper . Quinn sipped first , feeling the warmth unfurl inside her chest like a small , stubborn flame . When she lifted her gaze , she found Julius cradling his own bowl , eyes fixed on her instead of the drink . " Why aren't you drinking ? " she asked , tilting her head . " I can swim , " Julius replied , answering her question with one of his own . " So why did you jump in after me ?

" " I didn't think ," Quinn admitted , brushing damp hair behind her ear . " By the time I reached you . I remembered you're no stranger to water . But what about you ? How did you end up there at all ? Ever since you met with your father , you've seemed miles away . Did the two of you only discuss your mother , or was there something else ? " A moment earlier , with Everett in the room , she hadn't dared voice the suspicion aloud . Julius remained wordless , the silence settling between them like unfallen snow .

Quinn felt the answer crystallize anyway ; clearly something more had happened , something he wasn't ready to share . " Whatever it is , I'm here " Quinn said gently . " But please , don't drift the way you did today . It was too dangerous ! " It won't , " he murmured . If danger came for him , she would always appear - so he would make certain danger never reached her . Determination hardened inside him like cooling steel ; from this moment on , he would cut off every threat before it surfaced . He could be reckless with his own life - never with hers .

2/3 16:48 Sat , Oct 18 A Chapter 491 The Ripples +20 Free Coins Drink your soup , or you'll catch a cold . " Quinn urged , nudging the rim of his bowl toward his lips . Julius lifted the porcelain bowl and swallowed the soup . The liquid slid down his throat and bloomed heat inside his stomach . It felt exactly like that split second in the icy lake when her hand closed around his wrist- sudden , unwavering warmth against endless cold . Yet the kinder she was to him , the more terrified he became of someday letting her down .

The next morning , Julius intercepted Gavin outside the training hall , shoulders tense enough to crack . " If I end up unable to have children , " he asked quietly , " do you think Quinn will resent me ? Will she regret a life without a child ? " Gavin was mid - gulp of water and promptly choked , spraying droplets onto the floor . His eyes flicked , almost involuntarily , to Julius's lower torso . " You're telling me there's a problem down there ? " he coughed . " Sounds like an issue for a reproductive specialist , not me .

" " That's not it , " Julius muttered , words stalling on his tongue . " It's just ... " At that moment , Gavin's phone vibrated . He glanced down to read a newly arrived text message . For a heartbeat , he assumed it was another automated alert , some useless coupon . Then he saw the sender's name . It was Quinn . What a coincidence . Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.