The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 499 Hidden Fears Julius ' condition was more serious than she had first believed . What , exactly , is he so terrified of ? That night , Quinn stepped into Everett's study . " Uncle Everett , I'd like to ask a favor . " " Whatever you need , just say it . " +10 Free Cons It was rare for his niece to request help ; naturally , he would do everything in his power . " I want to meet Joaquin Whitethorn - Julius ' father . " If Julius ' distress began the day he saw his father in that detention center , then she had to trace the pain to its source . Everett frowned . " Meet him ?

Joaquin is dangerous . Is it truly necessary ? " " I have to see him , yes . I won't know why until I face him , but he agreed to see only Julius before . That's why I need your help . " The Fane family's connections threaded through the city like hidden wiring behind polished walls . If Quinn needed a face - to - face with Joaquin , Everett merely had to flick one silent switch , and the gates would swing open . Everett gave a measured nod , snatching up his phone as though the matter were already solved . " All right . I'll see to everything .

" Quinn released a breath she had been holding far too long . " Thank you , Uncle Everett . And please , don't breathe a word of this to Julius . " Everett's brows knit in quiet suspicion while his eyes swept over her . " What's happened between you two now ? " Quinn tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear , gaze sliding sideways. " I'm scared he'll start spinning dark stories in his head again ." The notion almost made Everett laugh . To him , Julius was a glacier in a tailored suit , a rose blooming alone on a cliff - hardly the type for frantic imaginings .

Still , his niece's request was a command . Everett softened his expression and sealed the promise with a crisp nod . Two days later , fluorescent tubes buzzed overhead in the detention - center visiting room , casting a sterile glow on the scuffed metal table where Quinn now sat opposite Joaquin . 1/3 14:04 Wed , Oct 22 Chapter 499 Hidden Fears 45 +10 Free Coins Joaquin lounged in his chair , shackled wrists resting with the elegance of cufflinks . " I didn't expect you to insist on seeing me , Ms. Bridger . Tell me - are you not afraid I'll hurt you again ?

" Quinn met his half - smile with frosted calm . " You can only hurt me when you are capable of doing so . People say a tiger spares its cub , yet you , Mr. Whitethorn , carry a venom no animal could match . " A dry , humorless laugh rattled out of Joaquin . " Venom ? The only reason he was born was to keep his mother from leaving me . He failed , and she left . The fact he still breathes is mercy I choose to grant ." Quinn's fingers curled into fists on the tabletop . " Julius is not some device for you to manipulate . " Joaquin's mouth twisted into an icy crescent .

" From his first breath , he was a tool . Someone like him will never share the ordinary happiness you dream about . " Quinn leaned forward , voice edged like broken glass . " So that was your plan when he visited ? You stabbed him with words like these ? " One of Joaquin's brows arched , amused by her indignation . " Curious about the conversation between father and son , are you ? " Quinn knew a man who dissected human weakness for sport had already divined her purpose in coming . She lifted her chin , refusing to blink . " Would you even tell me if I asked ?

" Joaquin shrugged ; the chains gave a soft metallic sigh . " Julius chose silence . Why should I , as his father , betray him ? Still , guess away , if it entertains you ." " You preyed on his conscience , didn't you ? You whispered that our child might inherit his mother's illness , that any life we built would rot from the blood upward . But Dr. Huxley tends to your family . He knows no such curse stains the Whitethorn genes - her sickness struck later . So why , then , is Julius still afraid ? " Quinn said , eyes fixed on Joaquin . Joaquin's smile barely lifted the corner of his mouth .

" What do you think ? " Quinn stayed unhurried . She unlocked her phone , queued a video , and angled the screen toward him . Color drained from Joaquin's face ; his eyes clamped onto the image as if it were a live grenade . Staring back at him was his wife , the woman who had passed away years ago . 2/3 14:04 Wed , Oct 22 Chapter 499 Hidden Fears 200 +10 Free Cons His wife , as young as she was when she passed away , stared back at him in the video . She spoke with tears in her eyes . " Joaquin , why do you keep torturing our son ? Why can't you just let him be happy ?

Must our misfortune really continue through him ? Joaquin , stop . Please ... stop before it's too late . " Joaquin's eyes burned crimson . He knew , just as he had known the drone footage on the beach was Al trickery , that this was a fabrication . His wife had never recorded such a plea ; the video was Quinn's digital sleight of hand , nothing more . Yet as her tear - streaked face filled the screen , the iron bars of logic inside him began to warp and crack . 3/3 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.