The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 410

Chapter 410 Family Ties Rekindled

Chapter 410 Family Ties Rekindled

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Even though talking scraped her throat raw, Quinn still said, her voice no more than a trembling rasp, “I have always been grateful–to you, Uncle Everett, and to the entire Fane family. Years ago, when you rescued my brother in Doria, you gave him a second life. In the years since, you have sheltered him well. All this time, you have searched for my mother. If she were still alive, the moment she learns you never stopped looking, she will acknowledge you as her brother again. How could I, her daughter, not recognize you as my uncle?”

Tears spilled down Everett’s cheeks, shining trails he could not wipe away fast enough.

“May Yara, wherever she rests, still think of me as her brother,” he whispered, the words cracked by longing.

Leander stepped forward and squeezed Everett’s shoulder. “She will–she absolutely will. And Quinn and I accept you as our uncle, too. We already do.”

Only after a long, shaking breath did Everett regain control. Laura, who had been inside the ward, slipped out without a sound, leaving the family to their reunion.

Because Quinn’s throat remained swollen, the conversation flowed mostly between Everett and Leander while she listened, eyes soft but alert.

“From now on, I’ll call you Rowan,” Everett said, turning to Quinn’s brother. “Once we return to Celosia, I’ll hold a press conference and make your true identities public. The earlier story about you being an illegitimate son–my aides will draft a cleaner explanation. Wherever you two choose to live–Celosia, Azania, anywhere–the Fane family will stand behind you in full.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Leander, now Rowan, replied, the simple words carrying a lifetime of weight.

Fatigue crept across Quinn’s face; the brief conversation had drained the energy she had only just regained.

Seeing that weariness, Everett adjusted the blanket around her shoulders. “Rest now, Quinn. When you wake, I’ll come back.”

After Everett left, Rowan settled beside the bed. “Sleep,” he murmured. “I will keep watch right

here.”

“Rowan, may I borrow your phone? I… need to make a call,” Quinn asked, voice barely louder

than breath.

Her own phone had doubtless melted to useless slag in the fire.

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Chapter 410 Family Ties Rekindled

Rowan handed her the device, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Who are you calling?”

“Julius Whitethorn.” Quinn keyed in his private number, each tap deliberate.

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The line rang. No answer. She tried again, and again–only silence. A frown tightened on her brow. Abandoning that number, she dialed Fabian’s instead, and this time, the call connected almost immediately.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Bridger,” Fabian’s voice came crisp and professional through the speaker.

“Fabian, Julius isn’t picking up. Could you help me reach him?” Quinn asked without preamble.

“Mr. Whitethorn is recuperating and cannot take calls at the moment,” Fabian explained. “If there is a message, I will relay it.”

“I want to see him in person. There are things I must say face–to–face.”

“Understood. I’ll inform him at once.”

“One more thing,” Quinn added, her voice catching. “How… How serious are his injuries?”

“I’ve checked him over,” Fabian reported, his voice steady yet wearing the faint rasp of exhaustion. “Nothing life–threatening–mostly surface cuts and bruises. He did lose quite a bit of blood, though, so absolute rest is non–negotiable.”

“All right. Let him rest. When I’m discharged, I’ll come to him myself.” With that, she ended the call and placed the phone back into Rowan’s waiting hand.

Rowan accepted the device, eyes narrowing with sibling concern. “Quinn, what is happening between you and Julius? Did you two really break up?”

“We did break up,” she admitted, voice scarcely above a whisper. Then, stronger, “But I’ve only just realized that I want us together again.”

Memories flooded her–moments etched in nerve and blood. When the world had gone white and the boundary between living and dying blurred, it was Julius who filled her mind. She saw him hurl himself between her and danger, felt his arms around her as they fled through fire and ruin, both of them half–certain they would not survive, neither of them willing to regret the risk.

If death itself doesn’t frighten me, why should the fragile work of rebuilding trust ever scare me?

“Rowan,” she said at last, her voice trembling but sure, “I love Julius Whitethorn.”

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Chapter 410 Family Ties Rekindled

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