The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 620

Chapter 620 Why Torment Myself

Chapter 620 Why Torment Myself

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He chuckled under his breath, the sound bitter and self–mocking. “You’re right–why torment myself? Maybe I do it because I’m too in love with you.”

That love had taken root when he was too young to recognize it. Separation only drove those roots deeper, until the feeling sprouted, clawed upward, and finally towered inside him like a gigantic, unmovable oak. By the time he understood what had happened, it was already too late to tear the tree out. And the cruelest irony? The deeper the love, the deeper the despair. Standing here now, he felt nothing but bottomless hopelessness.

Julius walked through the echoing corridors of the family’s old manor and stepped into his late grandfather’s study.

The room had been sealed since Edward passed away, dust layering the mahogany shelves, the scent of aged paper lingering like a ghost.

He paused before an unremarkable section of wall, pressed a hidden latch, and a panel slid aside to reveal a steel safe.

His fingers spun the combination, each click reverberating in the hush as though marking the beats of an unseen clock.

Inside lay a single ring—silent, pristine, waiting. The entire secret vault existed for this one artifact.

This was no ordinary piece of jewelry but a signet, its smooth face bearing one character: “Whitethorn.”

For generations, it had crowned the hand of the family’s ruler, a quiet proclamation of absolute authority,

Every contract, account, and deed in the Whitethorn empire carried its impression. Without that mark, no one could touch the family’s resources. With it, estates, guards, and torrents of wealth would march at a single gesture.

Julius slipped the signet onto his finger, then strode out of the study with measured steps.

Quinn’s eyes widened, curiosity dancing behind them. “Oh? That ring–where did it come from?” she asked, gaze fixed on Julius‘ newly adorned hand.

“An heirloom of the Whitethorn family,” Julius explained, lifting his hand so the jade could catch the light. “Do you like it?”

“It’s certainly unique,” Quinn replied with a soft laugh, still studying the ring as though it might whisper

secrets.

“Then allow me to give it to you,” he said, the offer delivered with disarming calm.

At those words, Gavin, walking a step behind, went pale. Has Julius lost his mind? Does he even grasp what he’s offering?

Gavin drew a breath to speak. “Julius, that ring—”

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Chapter 620 Why Torment Myself

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Only four words escaped before Julius cut him off with a glare cold enough to frost glass. The unspoken message in those eyes was unmistakable: one more syllable about the ring and there would be

consequences.

Quinn looked between them, puzzled. “What about the ring?” She turned her gaze to Gavin, brows gently furrowed.

Julius answered in an easy, even tone, “An heirloom–passed down through the Whitethorn line.”

As he spoke, he slid the band from his own middle finger. He lifted Quinn’s hand, settled the ring on her middle finger, and frowned when it sat loose.

With a faint smile, he moved it to her thumb. “Here,” he murmured, “this will do for now.”

Gavin’s eyes flew wide, disbelief flooding his face. If Father or Grandfather saw this, their blood pressure would shoot through the roof.

The signet ring was more than jewelry. It was the master key to an empire–men, money, influence–all of it yielded to whoever wore that band.

Legends whispered that even the family’s shadow guard, a silent regiment that answered to no voice but the ring itself, would obey its bearer without question.

Gavin remembered how, years ago, Julius‘ own father, Joaquin, had coveted the ring, only to be rebuffed by Edward with an iron refusal.

Had Joaquin taken possession of the ring back then, the current patriarch could be Joaquin instead.

Now, Julius meant to gift the ring to Quinn. The gesture was nothing less than transferring the Whitethorn command into her hands. Yes, she was his wife, the household’s lady, but this bordered on unthinkable. Unless…

The possibility hit Gavin like ice water, draining the color from his face.

Quinn studied the ring against her skin, thoughtful. “I’m not used to wearing rings,” she said softly. “If it truly belongs to your ancestors, keep it safe and pass it to our child when the time comes.”

Julius inclined his head. “All right. We’ll do as you say.” His gaze softened. “Gavin and I have business to discuss. Get some rest, love.”

The moment the door clicked shut, Gavin rounded on him, eyes blazing. “What was that supposed to mean? You’re really handing over the signet to Quinn?”

“Yes.” Julius‘ reply was calm, immovable. “The ring will be hers. If one day something happens to me, she will command the Whitethorn family.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Gavin burst out. “You sound like a man saying his last words.”

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