The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 423

Chapter 423 Fear of Abandonment

Chapter 423 Fear of Abandonment

“I won’t abandon you again!” Quinn blurted, the promise rushing out before thought.

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Julius‘ eyes remained dark. “Sure. Maybe you’d never leave me by choice. But what if life leaves you no choice?”

Quinn’s throat closed around any answer.

The man reached for the wall, found the switch, and flooded the room with light.

White light spilled across the apartment, painting both of them in its stark glow.

Only now did Quinn truly see him. He had grown leaner, his complexion nearly translucent, and the bruised crescents beneath his eyes had deepened into midnight smudges.

It was obvious his insomnia had found no relief.

His gaze dropped to the plaster cast encasing Quinn’s right calf. Then, in one fluid motion, he bent and scooped her into his arms, setting her gently on the couch.

“I’ll have someone drive you home,” he said, reaching for his phone.

Quinn caught his hand, stopping the call. “It’s late. I don’t want any more hassle tonight. Let me stay here… Just for one night, please,” she pleaded.

Julius‘ brows pinched together as he stared at the bed as though it were an unsolved equation. “Fine. You can sleep here then,” he said, voice flat and measured. “I’ll take the room next door.”

Yet Quinn kept her fingers locked around his sleeve, knuckles white against the dark fabric. “My leg isn’t steady,” she whispered, eyes bright but unwavering. “Back at the hospital, I always had a caregiver accompany me through the night. Can you stay here with me? If I fall, I’d feel safer knowing you can help me.”

Not long ago, Julius had needed her heartbeat near his own before sleep would claim him. Tonight, the roles were reversed; Quinn could not even picture closing her eyes unless he remained within reach.

Julius pressed his lips into a bloodless line. They both knew the truth–she was a fighter, agile enough to dance through danger, cast or no cast.

The rejection stalled in his throat, smothered by a stubborn, irrational fear that she might stumble when he wasn’t looking.

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16:24 Sat, Sep 27 B

Chapter 423 Fear of Abandonment

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He understood her strength, yet the image of her falling sliced through him like a blade.

Finally, his shoulders sagged in surrender. “All right. We’ll stay in the same room tonight,” Julius said. “Tomorrow, I’ll hire a caregiver to keep an eye on you.”

Relief slipped from Quinn in a single, shaky breath. “Then I’ll wash up first,” she replied, her voice suddenly light.

The day had dragged her across highways and terminals, leaving dust on her shoes and fatigue in every bone.

Without a word, Julius bent and scooped her into his arms. The ache in her leg did nothing to dull the brief, dizzy lift of weightlessness. At the bathroom door, he set her down as gently as if she were fine crystal. “Spare toiletries are inside,” he murmured, fingers grazing the switch. “Call me when you’re done.”

“Okay,” Quinn answered with a small nod, slipping beyond the frosted glass.

Steam curled beneath the vanity light as Quinn faced her reflection–wind–tousled hair, cheeks flushed, eyes burning with resolve–and let out a long breath.

At least Julius yielded and agreed to stay with me tonight… But what happens when morning burns this spell away?

The thought of him retreating overnight clawed at her stomach, yet she steadied herself over the sink.

Then again, I know he loves me still. Even if I must use every trick I know, I’ll strip away his doubts until he wants us back together again.

With that, she began washing up, rehearsing words that might calm the storm behind his eyes.

Just then, knuckles tapped softly on the door. “Fabian just brought your suitcase,” Julius informed.

“Okay. Got it!,” Quinn replied, grateful for the fresh set of clothes she could finally change into.

Minutes later, wrapped in pale silk pajamas, she stepped out–and froze. Julius stood beside the nightstand, tipping a prescription bottle until a heap of white tablets filled his palm, jaw set for the plunge.

Despite the cast on her leg, Quinn lunged. She stumbled, nearly fell, but her hand locked around his wrist just in time, causing the pills to scatter like hail across the carpet.

“Sleeping pills again?” she cried, eyes blazing. “You can’t swallow that many at once. Do you

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