The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 491

Chapter 491 The Ripples

Chapter 491 The Ripples

While fishing, Quinn’s phone buzzed; Laura’s name lit the screen.

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“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.”

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Chapter 491 The Ripples

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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.

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