The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 548

548 Separate Ways

“I still think he has feelings for you,” Quinn whispered softly, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.

Later that evening, Quinn learned that after Harlan had spirited Laura away following dinner, Weston had gathered every friend who had ever attended parties at his villa. He even involved the household staff, determined to expose the person who had impersonated him years ago and spread the damaging lie that had kept Laura from entering the family estate. Rumor had it that Weston, in a fit of rage, nearly harmed Claudia, the Rowe family heiress.

“There was a time when I cared for him,” Laura said, her tone cool and distant, almost as if she were speaking about someone long gone. “But whatever connection we had has faded away. I don’t feel anything for him anymore.”

Still, a quiet question lingered in the silence that followed. Did Weston truly love me? Or was it just guilt from the past haunting him? Some men mistake regret for devotion. Maybe it’s the old allure of what’s out of reach—desire often grows strongest around what remains unattainable. But in the end, it doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve severed the last thread between us, and whether his love is genuine or merely imagined no longer concerns me.

Quinn gave Laura’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Just be sure of what you want. If you ever need anything—anything at all—just say the word.”

“You’ve already done so much,” Laura replied, a hint of gratitude softening her usually brisk voice. “You completely revamped that product batch for my company—you really saved me. When you mentioned further refining the patent you completed after marrying Trent Grafton and handing it over to Azure Technologies, were you serious?”

“Absolutely,” Quinn said, raising one eyebrow. “Since when have I ever gone back on my word?”

“I don’t doubt you,” Laura answered quickly. “But once you adjust that patent for today’s market, it could generate a fortune. Giving it directly to Whitethorn Group would probably benefit you much more.”

Quinn’s smile was quiet but unwavering. “I promised to join your company and contribute my part, didn’t I? Azure Technologies is diving headfirst into drones—I see a brilliant future there. Besides, I trust you won’t shortchange me.”

A spark of excitement lit up Laura’s face. “I would never shortchange you. I’ll draft the contract right away! Together, we’ll turn Azure Technologies into an industry giant—and you’ll be my most important partner.”

“Deal,” Quinn said warmly, returning the smile.

During Quinn’s darkest moments, Laura had been the one constant in her life. When divorce threatened to tear everything apart, Laura stood by her side, steady and strong beneath a velvet exterior. With a friend like that, how could Quinn do anything less than entrust the patent to her company?

“By the way,” Laura asked suddenly, “you’re pregnant now—aren’t you planning to stay home and focus on the baby?”

“The due date’s still months away,” Quinn replied, sinking back into her chair. “Besides, I can’t just sit around all day. If I’m stuck at home, I’ll go stir-crazy. I’d rather be working.”

“Do you love this child very much?” Julius asked suddenly.

“Of course,” she nodded, as though the answer was obvious.

He tilted his head just enough for the soft dawn light to brush across his features. The gentle calm of early morning softened the sharp planes of his handsome face, yet his eyes held a piercing intensity as they locked onto hers, refusing to blink. “Will you love this child more than you love me?”

Quinn blinked away the last remnants of sleep and let out a small, puzzled laugh. “Why ask that out of the blue? I love you both equally.”

But Julius wasn’t ready to let it go so easily. “But if you had to choose the one you love most?”

Quinn chuckled, shaking her head. “That’s not how love works. My feelings for you and for our baby are completely different—one is a mother’s love, and the other is…”

Before she could finish, Julius lifted her hand and pressed her palm to the side of his face. He rubbed gently against her skin in a slow, feline motion, the corners of his eyes lifting in a playful smile. In that moment, his usually cool, phoenix-shaped eyes smoldered with a teasing warmth that threatened to pull her under completely.