Chapter 410 Family Ties Rekindled

    Chapter 410 Family Ties Rekindled

    58

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    Even though talking scraped her throat raw, Quinn still said, her voice no more than a trembling rasp, “I have always been grateful–to you, Uncle Everett, and to the entire Fane family. Years ago, when you rescued my brother in Doria, you gave him a second life. In the years since, you have sheltered him well. All this time, you have searched for my mother. If she were still alive, the moment she learns you never stopped looking, she will acknowledge you as her brother again. How could I, her daughter, not recognize you as my uncle?”

    Tears spilled down Everett’s cheeks, shining trails he could not wipe away fast enough.

    “May Yara, wherever she rests, still think of me as her brother,” he whispered, the words cracked by longing.

    Leander stepped forward and squeezed Everett’s shoulder. “She will–she absolutely will. And Quinn and I ept you as our uncle, too. We already do.”

    Only after a long, shaking breath did Everett regain control. Laura, who had been inside the ward, slipped out without a sound, leaving the family to their reunion.

    Because Quinn’s throat remained swollen, the conversation flowed mostly between Everett and Leander while she listened, eyes soft but alert.

    “From now on, I’ll call you Rowan,” Everett said, turning to Quinn’s brother. “Once we return to Celosia, I’ll hold a press conference and make your true identities public. The earlier story about you being an illegitimate son–my aides will draft a cleaner exnation. Wherever you two choose to live–Celosia, Azania, anywhere–the Fane family will stand behind you in full.”

    “Thank you, Uncle,” Leander, now Rowan, replied, the simple words carrying a lifetime of weight.

    Fatigue crept across Quinn’s face; the brief conversation had drained the energy she had only just regained.

    Seeing that weariness, Everett adjusted the nket around her shoulders. “Rest now, Quinn. When you wakei, /iI’lle back.”

    After Everett left, Rowan settled beside the bed. “Sleep,” he murmured. “I will keep watch right

    here.”

    “Rowan, may I borrow your phone? I… need to make a call,” Quinn asked, voice barely louder

    than breath.

    Her own phone had doubtless melted to useless g in the fire.

    17:14 Thu, Sep b18 /b

    Chapter 410 Family Ties Rekindled

    Rowan handed her the device, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Who are you calling?”

    “Julius Whitethorn.” Quinn keyed in his private number, each tap deliberate.

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    The line rang. No answer. She tried again, and again–only silence. A frown tightened on her brow. Abandoning that number, she dialed Fabian’s instead, and this time, the call connected almost immediately.

    “Good afternoon, Ms. Bridger,” Fabian’s voice came crisp and professional through the speaker.

    “Fabian, Julius isn’t picking up. Could you help me reach him?” Quinn asked without preamble.

    “Mr. Whitethorn is recuperating and cannot take calls at the moment,” Fabian exined. “If there is a message, I will ry it.”

    “I want to see him in person. There are things I must say face–to–face.”

    “Understood. I’ll inform him at once.”

    “One more thing,” Quinn added, her voice catching. “How… How serious are his injuries?”

    “I’ve checked him over,” Fabian reported, his voice steady yet wearing the faint rasp of exhaustion. “Nothing life–threatening–mostly surface cuts and bruises. He did lose quite a bit of blood, though, so absolute rest is non–negotiable.”

    “All right. Let him rest. When I’m discharged, I’lle to him myself.” With that, she ended the call and ced the phone back into Rowan’s waiting hand.

    Rowan epted the device, eyes narrowing with sibling concern. “Quinn, what is happening between you and Julius? Did you two really break up?”

    “We did break up,” she admitted, voice scarcely above a whisper. Then, stronger, “But I’ve only just realized that I want us together again.”

    Memories flooded her–moments etched in nerve and blood. When the world had gone white and the boundary between living and dying blurred, it was Julius who filled her mind. She saw him hurl himself between her and danger, felt his arms around her as they fled through fire and ruin, both of them half–certain they would not survive, neither of them willing to regret the risk.

    iIf /iideath /iiitself /iidoesn’t /iifrighten /ime, why ishould /iithe /iifragile /iiwork /iiof /iirebuilding /iitrust /iiever /iiscare /iime/ii? /i

    “Rowan,” she said atst, her voice trembling but sure, “I love Julius Whitethorn.”

    17:14 Thub, /bSep 18 ..

    …

    b58 /b

    Chapter 410 Family Ties Rekindled

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    When Quinn drifted back to consciousness in the hospital, daylight had shifted. This time, besides Rowan stationed like an unsleeping guard, she found Han standing near the foot of the bed.

    “You’re awake. I heard you came around once before this.” He advanced a hesitant step. “Had I known any of this wasing, I’d never have let you attend that Whitethorn banquet alone. I should’ve been there.”

    Instead, he had learned of the disaster only after the sirens, when rumors tore through the city like wind through broken ss.

    He had rushed to the hospital and found her lying unconscious, ivory against the sterile sheets, the steady beep of monitors the only proof she was still with him.

    In that instant, his entire body had shivered, blood congealing in his veins. He had witnessed her injured before, had stood beside her while she hovered at the edge of life. That history, however, did nothing to dull the terror.

    Han lifted a hand, fingers trembling, craving the reassurance of her warmth against his skin.

    But just before contact, Quinn turned her face ever so slightly, letting his hand meet only cool hospital air.

    The rejection froze him, an almost imperceptible wince tightening the corners of his mouth.

    Turning to Rowan, she spoke after some hesitation. “Rowan, there are a few things I need to say to Han privately.”

    “All right. I’ll go buy something to eat.” He stepped out, the door clicking softly behind him.

    The room settled into a hush, leaving only Han and Quinn, the hum of the air–conditioning filling the space where Rowan’s presence had been.

    Han broke the silence first. “Are you choosing Julius?”

    Quinn’s head snapped up, her gaze locking onto his, fierce and unflinching.

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