The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 295

Quinn blinked, fork hovering mid-air. “You—” Her voice trailed off.

Harlan drew a breath. “Those days in the camp were the happiest of my life,” he said quietly. “If you hadn’t married Trent, I would have told you soon after that I was in love with you.”

The fork slid from Quinn’s fingers and clattered against the tabletop; surprise washed over her face like cold water.

Over the years, Harlan had rarely felt true apprehension, yet in this moment, her gaze turned his lungs to stone, every breath a struggle.

Julius had torn the curtain first; Harlan saw no reason to hide anymore. If he still remained silent, he feared losing her all over again.

Quinn blinked, her voice barely a breath. “You... You’re in love with me? But you always treat me like I was your elder sister.”

Harlan’s smile never wavered. “That doesn’t mean I’m not in love with you.”

The question hit her like a sudden wind across an open field. She had always believed he saw her only as family.

“Quinnie, I’ve loved you for years.” The earnest light in his eyes made the words impossible to dismiss. Quinn stood silent, her thoughts scattered like loose papers in a storm.

Her silence scraped at his composure. Panic edged into his voice. “If it were me, I would never disappoint you the way Trent or Julius did. I’d pour everything I have into making you happy—betrayal would never even cross my mind.”

“I’m sorry.” Quinn met his gaze, steady but gentle. “Harlan, you’re my friend, my comrade, and a brother to me. Don’t waste time on me. I’m not ready for another relationship. Right now, my only goal is to find Rowan.”

“I know. You’re heading to Doria to search for him, aren’t you? Let me come.”

“I’ll go alone,” she answered. Before learning his feelings, she might have accepted. Now, knowing his heart, letting him abandon duty to follow felt too close to taking advantage of his feelings.

“The military and the Azanian Embassy in Doria will assist me, and I’ve been there before. I’ve also promised Laura I’d check in daily with her, so I’ll be safe.”

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