The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 562

Chapter 562: Joaquin Back At It Again

The atmosphere was thick with tension as Julius smiled softly when Quinn asked for an explanation. “You’re carrying our child,” he said gently, intertwining his fingers with hers. “A little extra protection can’t hurt—especially now that everyone knows you’re the Whitethorn bride.”

Earlier that day at city hall, someone had discreetly snapped photos of their marriage license signing. Those images quickly made their way online, spreading like wildfire. Internet detectives wasted no time connecting Julius’ face to high-profile corporate headlines, propelling the story to the top of trending lists everywhere.

Despite Julius paying handsomely to bury the hashtag, Quinn still found herself occasionally stopped on the street by strangers whispering her name with dawning recognition. The reality was becoming clear: Julius wasn’t just guarding her because she was pregnant; he was preparing for Joaquin Whitethorn’s inevitable jailbreak.

Later that afternoon, as the office lights dimmed and employees spilled out onto the bustling sidewalks, Quinn exited through the glass doors and immediately spotted Julius stepping out of a sleek black sedan waiting curbside.

“Wasn’t someone supposed to pick me up?” she asked, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise. “Why did you come yourself?”

Julius gave her a reassuring smile as he took her hand firmly in his. “I feel safer when I’m the one escorting you home,” he said quietly.

Quinn’s eyes flicked around the street, noting the sharp increase in security. Her rough estimate counted over thirty agents in dark suits scattered across the pavement, with more shadowy figures perched on nearby rooftops, blending into the fading light. And she knew there were even more concealed, watching silently.

Settling into the car beside him, she turned to meet his gaze. “The number of guards just keeps growing. How dangerous do you really think I am?”

His smile softened. “You’re my wife—the person I care about most in this world. Of course, I worry.”

She pressed him gently. “Love aside, don’t you think this is a bit much?”

Julius held her eyes steadily, never blinking. He had even considered isolating her at Whitethorn Manor, surrounding the estate with every guard he could muster. Yet he knew she wouldn’t tolerate being confined, especially now with the baby on the way. And he refused to burden her with the fear of his father’s escape.

“Honestly, it’s not as many as it seems,” he assured her. “Give it some time. If it still bothers you, I’ll scale things back.”

But in that same time, Julius was determined to track down Joaquin and return him to custody.

Suddenly, Quinn’s voice broke the quiet. “I assumed the extra security was because your father broke out.”

“Not a lie, Julius. At worst, it’s withholding. I understand you didn’t want to upset me—especially with the pregnancy—but I need you to trust me. Trust both my mind and my strength.”

He blinked, surprised by the calm certainty in her voice.

“Have you forgotten what I used to do? I served in the Falcon Special Forces—years of brutal training for body, mind, and spirit. I’m tougher than you think.”

A faint glimmer appeared in Julius’ eyes. Of course. His Quinn was made of sterner stuff than most.

Time and again, it had been her—always her—who pulled him back from the edge.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I won’t keep things from you again.”

She squeezed his hand gently, a silent reassurance between them as the city lights flickered outside, shadows lengthening with the coming night.