The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 291

Chapter 291 Birthday Flames

Julius spoke in a slow, almost gentle murmur. “Then I’ll stay at your side, and anyone who tries to stand between us–I’ll remove them.”

The words were calm, yet the glare beneath his lashes burned with gathering madness.

Quinn pressed her lips together. During these past days with him, she had almost forgotten that the man beside her was the head of the Whitethorn family–the one person in all Jexburgh everyone feared provoking.

She drew a steady breath. “Let’s change the venue,” she said.

Julius answered at once, “Then let’s go back to the apartment. Everything is prepared–only you are missing.”

“The apartment?” Quinn’s brows knitted.

Julius tilted his head, mocking tenderness in his voice. “What, have you changed your mind? A moment ago, you promised to spend my birthday with me.”

“No,” she replied, turning toward the exit. She left first, and he followed.

Minutes later, their car pulled up in front of the apartment–the same glass–and–steel aerie where they had once, for a time, lived together.

As Quinn stepped inside, she saw that the place had indeed been transformed. Multicolored balloons drifted against the ceiling, ribbons cascaded down, and every surface glittered with birthday–party decorations.

Beneath the ribbons hung dozens of photographs–snapshots of the two of them laughing together. Quinn stared at her younger self, at the carefree light in her eyes. Back then, she had never imagined their love might fracture like this.

While she was lost in thought, Julius stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Look,” he whispered against her hair, “we were happy once, weren’t we? Quinnie, no one on earth will ever love you more than I do. Come back to me.”

Quinn snapped back to the present. “We’re already over. If you don’t let go right now, I’ll leave–and the promise I made to spend your birthday with you will vanish the moment I walk out.”

Julius’s eyes dimmed as he loosened his embrace. “I always thought I was ruthless,” he murmured, “but it seems your heart is colder than mine.”

Quinn stepped away, meeting his gaze. “Whatever existed between us is finished. I’m here tonight on because I promised to keep you company on your birthday.”

Yes, that’s all–just keep him company.

She had felt a pang of pity when she learned he had never celebrated a birthday. In her own memories, even when her family was scattered, they still mailed gifts and love. To outsiders, Julius‘ life seemed dazzling, yet he had been denied even that simple joy. Coming tonight, she decided, would be their full stop–the neat, final period to their story.

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AUG

Chapter 291 Birthday Flames

“Then help me light the candles,” he said, moving to the table where a cake waited. Julius pressed slender candles into the frosting, then flicked his lighter and coaxed each wick to life.

The flames trembled. Julius closed his eyes, brought his hands together, and–silently, solemnly–made his birthday wish.

After a breath of silence, he opened his eyes. He leaned forward, puffed the lone candle into smoke, and turned to Quinn. “Aren’t you curious about the wish I just made?”

Quinn folded her arms. “Whatever you wished has nothing to do with me now.”

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