The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 623 A Bitter Reunion 74 +10 Free Coins " It's a shame , isn't it ? " Laura said , letting the words land like pebbles tossed at stained glass . " After Mom died , you never took me back here again ." The memory scraped her heart raw . Her father had erased her mother - years of marriage wiped clean , as though love were chalk on a wet sidewalk . If he could forget his wife so quickly , Laura knew he would never spare a thought for his daughter .

When her stepmother appeared , he doted on her with feverish devotion , and because Sylas was her son , her father lavished Sylas with kindness that should have belonged to Laura . She still found it unbelievable . The man who had always seemed gentle , faithful , almost dull , had rushed to remarry the moment her mother was laid to rest . Did he ever truly love Mom ? Or did he simply need a woman - any woman - to fill the space beside him ? One wife dead ? Fine . Marry another . Caxton's cheeks twitched with embarrassment . " I know , Laura , I neglected you . But that ends today .

Come on , order anything you like . I'll pay . " He slid the laminated menu across the table , enthusiasm pasted over panic . " Save it . " Laura pushed the menu back with two fingers . " I didn't come for pasta . I'm here to tell you to stop calling . Even if you storm my office , I won't withdraw the lawsuit . I'm ready -- really ready - to cut you out for good . " " Must you fight me on everything ? I'm your father! " Caxton's voice rose , anger thickening each syllable . " And I'm done having a father like you ," Laura answered , her tone flat , final . The next instant , Caxton lunged .

A white handkerchief flashed , clamping over Laura's mouth and nose . A sharp almond scent flooded her nostrils - chloroform . Oh no ! Her reflexes fired . She yanked a slim stun device from her handbag and jammed it into Caxton's ribs . 1/3 15:19 Sun , Dec 21 Chapter 623 A Bitter Reunion Electricity cracked . He screamed , crumpling onto the tiled floor . 74 +10 Free Coins Laura staggered , bracing herself against the table's edge as numbness crept along her limbs , strength draining grain by grain . Muscles slackened , nerves hissing like cut wires .

She tried to call for help , but only silence answered . The pasta bar - normally buzzing at lunch -stood empty now . They were the only ones inside . Somehow , the front door had swung shut and latched , sealing them inside . Dread detonated in her chest . Move , Laura . Run now ! A cool voice rose behind her . " If you weren't friends with Quinn , I wouldn't have needed to do this to you . Pity - you chose the wrong friend . " Laura wheeled around , half - falling into a chair . A man stepped from the kitchen shadows , coat unbuttoned , eyes gleaming like wet stone .

She recognized that face from photographs . Joaquin Whitethorn - father of Julius , patriarch of a family that made rivals disappear . " I'm sure it's him ! " Quinn had warned her that Joaquin had hypnotized her stepmother only because he had wanted to strike at Quinn through the woman's unsuspecting hands . The memory hit Laura like ice water . Now Joaquin stood in this tiny shop , and her father had just attacked her . She swayed , mind unspooling , each ragged breath feeding the terror clawing up her throat . Did Joaquin make a secret pact with my father ?

Is he planning to let my father finish me off ? And then what - would he aim at Quinnie next ? open The thought galvanized her . She refused to drag Quinn into this . If she could fling the door and race onto the crowded street , the pedestrians would force Joaquin to back down . Besides , Quinn had mentioned that Julius kept bodyguards shadowing her . Surely they lurked nearby . Laura's trembling fingers had barely brushed the brass handle when Joaquin's voice drifted across the dim room once more . " That door is locked already . You won't budge it .

If you plan to reach the street , flag a passerby , or wait for Whitethorn bodyguards to rescue you , you're wasting your time ." Panting , she yanked at the handle and cried , " You ... The door is still locked ... I haven't stepped outside ... The bodyguards will notice . They'll break in any minute . Maybe the place is already surrounded ! " 2/3 15:19 Sun , Dec 21 Chapter 623 A Bitter Reunion & ନ୍ମ ( 73 ) +10 Free Coins Joaquin laughed - a bright , vicious chime . " How naïve . If I dared move against you , I've already disposed of the shadows guarding you .

By the time Julius realizes it , the curtain will have fallen . " Laura sagged against the door , fighting to stay upright . " You want to use me against Quinnie- or is your true target your son ? Don't - don't even dream of it ! " Joaquin's smile barely touched his eyes . " Dream or not , you'll know soon enough . " 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.