The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 330

When Quinn emerged, towel-dried hair brushing her shoulders, she found Julius seated on the edge of the bed, head bowed, staring vacantly at the bracelet encircling his wrist.

It was the very piece she had once chosen for him.

Something unnamed welled up inside Quinn's chest, an emotion so dense and sudden she could not sort it into words. Back when she chose that gift for his birthday, it never crossed her mind that it would become the parting present marking their breakup.

The mattress rustled, and, as though her light footsteps had announced her arrival, Julius lifted his head. Moonlight washed across his face, sharpening the sleepless hollows beneath his eyes. “Shall we sleep?” he asked, voice roughened by nights spent awake.

Quinn drew a steady breath, forcing calm into limbs that suddenly felt too light for her body. “All right—let's try to sleep,” she murmured. “Tell me what helps you drift off. Do you want to hold hands?”

His lashes fluttered, and relief, faint but visible, loosened the tight line of his mouth. “Then... let's just hold hands,” Julius whispered.

“All right,” she agreed, the words a soft promise in the dim room. She folded back the comforter and slipped into the bed first, the mattress dipping beneath her weight.

Julius sent her a look so deep it felt like a confession. He eased down beside her, his hand searching, then gently clasping hers.

This time, she did not flinch or attempt to pull away.

A faint smile lifted the corner of Julius' mouth, hopeful and almost boyish. “Close your eyes and sleep,” Quinn said, her voice no louder than a lullaby.

Julius let his eyelids fall. Her warmth flowed through their joined fingers, anchoring him with a sense of safety he had not felt in weeks.

It is true. Only with her beside me can I finally rest.

Time drifted past in unmeasured hush. When she felt the rhythm of his breath grow even and deep, Quinn opened her eyes.

She sat up, leaning over the edge of the mattress, studying Julius' sleeping face.

She had never imagined that, after their breakup, his sleeplessness would deteriorate so badly that he would rely on pills to find oblivion.

Does holding his hand truly lull him to sleep—or is it only tonight's fragile miracle?

Yet this could not be a lasting solution. She could lie beside him for a night or two, perhaps, but not forever.

Once they returned home, nationally renowned specialists would surely cure his insomnia.

Gently, Quinn eased her fingers from between Julius', extracting herself as though detaching a promise. Cradling her pillow and blanket, she crossed to the couch and settled there.

Sharing a bed until dawn no longer suited who they were—or who they had become.

She told herself she had agreed only out of gratitude for his help, nothing more.

Yes. Nothing more than that.

Then why did her heart ache, a quiet throb, as though mourning for the man on the bed?

No. Do not pity him!

But can I really be with him again? Even if he swore never to lie, the years ahead might find me questioning every word, turning me into someone suspicious—someone I would not recognize.

Even if it was only repayment, she still would not stay with me until morning?

Does she truly believe a few carefully chosen words can draw a boundary between us?

Then the question pierced the haze. What is he doing here?

A sharp shiver coursed through her as memories of the night before snapped into place.

She had invited him to stay. Last night, he had fallen asleep on the bed. So what's he doing on the couch now?

She shot upright. The sudden movement roused him; his eyes fluttered open, still fogged with sleep.

“Morning, Quinn,” Julius murmured.

“Morning... but why are you sleeping here? Weren't you on the bed?” Quinn asked, puzzled.

“Because I can only sleep well at your side,” Julius replied. “You chose the couch, so I, of course, settled right next to it.”

“But you fell asleep on the bed last night,” Quinn protested.

“I did drift off,” he admitted, lifting her hand. “You promised to repay me. Don't change terms halfway. If you truly want me to rest, you must hold my hand until morning.”

Quinn found no words.

The doorbell rang, sharp and unexpected.

She snatched her hand back. “I'll get the door,” she said.

Without another glance, she hurried to the entrance and swung it open.