The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 655 Cornered Prey Chapter 655 Cornered Prey Blow after blow slammed into her ribs , shoulders , and back . +5 Free Coins Gasping , she twisted through the tight circle , searching for the smallest ga might let her bolt . " Dawn Whitethorn , stop right there , you little thief ! " She did the opposite , legs pumping harder , fear sharpening into unbroken velocity . In a blur , she shot past the rusted gate and out of the orphanage grounds . Dawn had no idea how long she kept running .

She only slowed when a familiar figure - Bowen Hartley- appeared ahead , forcing her feet to skid to a halt . Bowen was not alone ; a stylish young woman stood inches from him , her posture dripping practiced confidence . With a slow , almost predatory motion , the woman hooked one manicured finger beneath the boy's chin , tilting his face into the light so she could study each delicate line . " Look at you , " she murmured , voice thick with greedy fascination . " Already sinfully handsome , and you've not even grown yet . When you do , you'll be worth a fortune .

How about selling me your first time ? I'll pay handsomely ." " Get lost , " Bowen said , each syllable edged in ice . " Why are you so mad , handsome ? " she cooed , leaning in so close her perfume slid over him like oil . " I promise I'd make you feel wonderful . " The next instant , a piercing scream cut through the alley . Bowen had seized the very hand that dared touch him , bending her fingers back until the joints threatened to snap . " Wait - please ! Forget I ever said a word . Just ... let go ! " she squealed , desperation swallowing her earlier bravado .

aging her bruised Bowen unclenched , dropping her hand as if it were diseased . The woman hiss fingers . " One day you'll come crawling to me - see if I help then ! she spat , her so heels hammering down the corridor . Bowen pressed his lips together , saying nothing . Instead he turned , eyes settling on Dawn standing a short distance away . The older he grew , the more he sensed a shift in the air around him . Glances lingered too long , whispers thickened whenever he passed . To them , he was no boy at all , only a slab of tender meat waiting for the highest bidder .

In this place , they liked to say that a prostitute's child would grow into a prostitute - fate , they called it . Yet Bowen refused to spend his life peddling flesh , refused to become the mirror image of his mother . Normally , he would have shrugged off the woman's mock caresses . But not today . Dawn was watching , and he could not bear for her to glimpse that ugliness . 1/3 MON 29 3 O 10:08 Mon , Dec 29 Rs J Chapter 655 Cornered Prey +5 Free Coins He strode to her , only to halt when the red swelling on her cheek caught the light . Brows knitting , he asked , " Why are you here ?

Did someone hit you ? " " They accused me of stealing ," Dawn said , grinning despite the bruise caught only a few punches , see ? " beat me , but I ran fast- Bowen studied the little girl before him . She looked battered , yes , but some fierce spark of life blazed behind her smile . That vitality stood in brutal contrast to the rot that clung to every corner of this district . " By the way , what's a first time ? That lady wanted to b with curiosity . y yours . Why did you say no ? " she asked , eyes wide A rare blush crept across Bowen's pale face . " You ...

don't need to know , " he muttered . " And I'm not selling- ever . " " Is it something wonderful ? When I make money someday , will you sell it to me instead ? " she said , utterly sincere . Her adorable face brimmed with innocence , and those ink - dark , phoenix - shaped eyes glittered like a summer night spangled with stars . Bowen's cheeks burned hotter . The kid had no idea what she was talking about . Yet this time , he did not say no . He cleared his throat and steered the conversation away . " So , who accused you of stealing ? " " Kids from the orphanage ," she said .

" Bowen , I have to go back . See you ! " " Back ? Aren't you afraid they'll hit you again ? " he called after her . " I'm not afraid - my mom is there ." Even if it meant another beating , she would return . When Dawn stepped back through the orphanage gates , she found the vice director scolding the children who had hit her . Beside him stood a neatly dressed , middle - aged man . The vice director bowed repeatedly to the stranger , murmuring apologies . " Yo.mustn't run off like that ! " he exclaimed , hurrying toward Dawn the moment he saw her . / Mr .

Arnold's assistant is here today to finalize your adoption papers ! " Dawn tipped back her small head , charcoal - dark eyes shining with stubborn fire . " I ... I already have a mom . I don't want anyone else to adopt me ! " The assistant's brows knitted , the crease between them carving a sharp line of impatience across his otherwise polished face . A nurse burst from the ward , sneakers squeaking on the vinyl floor . Her voice cracked as she called , " Oh no ! That coma patient- Dawn's pulse spiked . " What happened to my mom ? " she cried , terror stripping away every ounce of composure .

Still ignoring the child , the nurse faced the vice director and blurted , " The patient's condition just took a nosedive . Our equipment can't handle it ." Before anyone could stop her , Dawn spun on her heel and bolted to slapping out a frantic rhythm down the corridor . e care unit , thin slippers I have to see Mom . Mom can't leave me - she just can't . The adults exchanged startled glances , then hurried after the child , shoes thudding like muffled drums in the sterile hall . Dawn burst into the room and froze .

Her mother - usually motionless - was jerking violently against the sheets . Monitors screeched with piercing alarms , scarlet numbers spilling across the screens like warning flares . ADMINJ