The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 698 Ripples in Reunion Chapter 698 Ripples in Reunion * 55 % +10 Free Coins Of course - she had Julius's steady gray eyes , but the rest of her face was pure Quinnie . The child's lashes , the soft slope of her nose , even the shy curve of her lips echoed the woman in the chair . Laura , still catching her breath , blurted , " Quinnie , is- is she your daughter ? " She had rushed to the terminal to surprise Quinn , only to watch Harlan sprint past her the moment their friend appeared .

Seeing Quinn in that chair had sliced through her , yet the next instant brought an unexpected gift . Quinn stroked the child's hair and lifted her chin toward the others . " This is Dawn , " she said gently . " She's Julius's and mine . I had her abroad , and she's been with me there ever since . Dawn , this is Uncle Harlan and Aunt Wentworth Mommy's closest friends . " The little one folded her hands and bowed slightly . " Hello , Uncle Harlan , hello , Aunt Wentworth . " Tears spilled across Laura's grin as she scooped Dawn into her arms .

" Not Aunt Wentworth- Godmother , " she laughed through the tears . " I claimed you when you were still in your mom's belly ! " Dawn blinked , puzzled . " Godmother ? " she echoed , testing the unfamiliar word . " It means I'm not your birth mom , " Laura explained , " but you can treat me like a second one . I'll stand beside your mom forever , and together we'll spoil you silly . " Harlan watched Laura's shoulders loosen , as though the universe had finally handed her a reason to believe in mercy .

He remembered Laura's late - night confession during the worst year : that she'd doubted Quinn would live , let alone the baby she carried . Quinn's memory surfaced : during that scratchy long - distance call Laura had never once mentioned a child , and the silence now throbbed at her temple . She had entered the villa certain the little one was gone , yet here the girl stood - warm , breathing , impossibly alive - squeezing Quinn's ribs with wonder . Aurie's eyes darted from Laura's tear - blotched face to Quinn's , searching for an explanation only grown - ups seemed to own .

1/3 1701 Mon Feb 2 x 0 Chapter 698 Ripples in Reunion * 10 Free Coins Quinn bent , smoothing the girl's bangs . " Aurie , Aunt Wentworth is your godmother now , Call her Gadmom . She loves you just as fiercely as I do " Aurie's voice rang bright , " Godmom ! " No trace of shyness clung to the syllables . The certainty on her daughter's face told Quinnhe logic was simple : if Mom approved , then Godmom had to be wonderful . Laura's laughter splintered through damp sobs , her fingers threaded gently through Aurie's hair as though afraid the child might vanish if she let go .

Aurie lifted a tiny palm , swiping at Laura's wet cheeks . " Godmom , why are you crying too ? " Laura's voice snagged on a breath . " Because seeing you and your mother makes me so happy I can't hold it in . " Several heartbeats later Laura's arms finally loosened , though her thumb still traced circles on the child's shoulder , unwilling to forget the shape . Aurie skipped over to Caleb Bridger and peered up . " Uncle Caleb , do you have any tissues ? " The question blindsided him ; his eyebrows hopped , mouth opening without words .

He patted empty pockets , relief sparking when an aide hurried forward , packet of tissues already outstretched . The aide pressed the soft bundle into Aurie's waiting hands . She pulled one sheet free and dabbed carefully at the tears Laura had missed . Each gentle pat pushed Laura's breath higher in her chest , the fierce tenderness almost painful to witness . Task done , Aurie pivoted toward Harlan , eyes bright . " Uncle Harlan , are you crying because you're happy too ? " The man's gaze tangled - grief , awe , something darker - before settling on the child .

A shadow of old winters crossed his face , and Quinn's own memory flickered : the night she carried him through snow toward the emergency room . She knew that tension ; it always surfaced when someone so much as mentioned Julius's name . Guilt pricked her - if the Whitethorn scandals had never erupted , would she have vanished for five years , leaving him to worry in silence ? 2/3 13:03 Mon , Feb 2 C D Chapter 698 Ripples in Remin Ofte s Meanwhile Julius had smothered every memory like ash over embers , living untouched .

Even so , Quinn could hear the crack in Harlan's breathing : whatever his feelings toward Julius . Aurie carried her blood , and that rewrote very rule . She saw the promise settle in his shoulders - ungielding , protective . Harlan finally answered , voice rough but steady Yes . Seeing you and your mom made me so happy tears came out on their own . " " Then please don't cry , " Aurie said , lifting the tissue with both hands . " Happy people can smile instead . " She began blotting the wetness beneath his eyes . Harlan still knelt , so the little hand found his check without strain .

Slow , careful sweeps traveled down his skin , each pass warmer than the last . Moist eyes softened ; the warmth of that palm seeped through bone , startling him . Quinn glimpsed her own breath in frosted air , the night she'd piggy - backed a feverish Harlan toward the hospital . She had whispered , " Almost there , don't be afraid . " The same promise glimmered now between them . He felt the small shoulder press against his coat . Heat radiated up his arm - steady , soft , achingly familiar . The child's profile tilted , and for a breath he saw Quinnie at ten , stubborn chin and all .

The resemblance punched the air from his lungs . " Alright , Uncle Harlan won't cry . " The promise slid out on a shaky laugh , but he straightened his shoulders until the tremor settled . Of course he should be happy - Quinnie and her child had come back alive . The thought sparked like a match , bright enough to hide the smoke curling underneath . The little one dabbed away the tears with a knuckle . Harlan opened his arms , ready for the welcome weight . Another set of arms swept in first , scooping the child from under his reach " Young Master Ingram , my child doesn't need your concern .

" Julius's voice cut through the reunion like glass sliding across stone . Harlan's smile vanished . He rose , spine locked , eyes drilling straight into Julius as though distance could be reduced to splinters . Memories crowded his skull - auction floors sabotaged , contracts snapped hours before signing , Julius's men sneering across boardrooms . No wonder every face nearby tensed at their pairing . 3/3 Chapter 699 Hostile Reusion Chapter 699 Hostile Reunion admin Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels.

With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia's stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.