chapter 19

Rumors and Headlines...

Judith should have known it wouldn't stay private forever.

The problem with being one of the country's most recognizable women was that people paid attention.

Far too much attention when it wasn't even necessary.

And people became even more interested when they noticed changes.

Changes like declining invitations to late-night events.

Changes like leaving meetings earlier than usual.

Changes like suddenly wearing looser clothing despite having one of the most admired wardrobes in the country.

The rumors began quietly.

Then they spread.

Then they exploded.

Judith was halfway through breakfast when Ava stormed into the dining room carrying her tablet.

"This is why I hate journalists."

Julian didn't even look up.

"What happened now?"

Ava dropped the tablet onto the table.

The headline immediately caught Judith's attention.

IS THE LUX HEIRESS HIDING A SECRET?

Below it were photographs taken over the past several weeks.

One outside a hospital.

Another leaving a medical center.

A third showing Ethan helping her into a car after a charity event.

Julian's face darkened instantly.

"They're following her."

"They've been following her," Ava corrected.

Judith sighed.

She wasn't surprised.

Only disappointed.

Richard folded his newspaper.

"How much do they actually know?"

"Nothing," Julian answered immediately.

"Yet."

The single word changed the atmosphere.

Because they all understood what it meant.

Sooner or later someone would find proof.

Sooner or later the speculation would become certainty.

Sooner or later the media would discover the truth.

And when they did, the entire country would start asking questions.

Questions Judith wasn't ready to answer.

Across the city, Liam was reading the exact same article.

His expression grew colder with every paragraph.

The article wasn't openly malicious.

But it wasn't respectful either.

It treated Judith's life like entertainment.

Something to be analyzed and discussed.

He hated it.

Without thinking, he picked up his phone.

Then stopped.

Because what exactly was he supposed to say?

I saw the article. Are you okay?

It sounded inadequate.

Pointless.

Still, after a moment, he typed it anyway.

Judith's phone buzzed while she was leaving for work.

She glanced down.

A message from Liam.

I saw the article. Are you okay?

For some reason, she stared at it longer than necessary.

A few months ago, Liam wouldn't have noticed an article about her.

Now he was checking on her.

The irony wasn't lost on her.

Eventually she replied.

I'm fine.

Three dots appeared immediately.

Then disappeared.

Then reappeared.

Finally another message arrived.

If anyone bothers you, let me know.

Judith read it twice.

Then slipped her phone back into her bag.

She didn't respond.

Not because she was angry.

Because she didn't know what to say.

Later that afternoon, she attended a meeting with several international investors.

Everything was going smoothly until one of them smiled and asked,

"Miss Lux, if you don't mind me asking... are the rumors true?"

The room instantly became silent.

Judith's assistant nearly dropped her pen.

Julian's expression became dangerous.

The investor looked embarrassed.

Clearly realizing he'd crossed a line.

Judith remained calm.

Years of media training helped.

"My personal life isn't relevant to this discussion."

The answer was polite.

Professional yet final.

Nobody asked again.

Yet the damage was done.

Because now it wasn't just reporters speculating.

Business circles were too.

That evening, Ethan arrived at the Lux estate carrying dinner.

Which somehow felt more thoughtful.

"I brought food."

Judith opened the door.

"Are you trying to become my personal chef?"

"Absolutely."

"You can't cook."

"Minor detail."

She laughed and stepped aside.

"Come in."

───

A few hours later, they sat on the terrace overlooking the gardens.

The summer evening was warm.

Peaceful.

A welcome contrast to the chaos of the day.

Ethan handed her a bottle of water.

"You've been quiet."

Judith leaned back in her chair.

"Tired."

"The article?"

She nodded.

For a moment neither spoke.

Then Ethan said quietly,

"You know none of this changes who you are, right?"

Judith looked at him.

"What if it changes how people see me?"

Ethan's answer came immediately.

"Then they're idiots."

A reluctant smile appeared on her face.

"You always make things sound simple."

"Most things are simple."

"No, they aren't."

"They are."

Ethan shrugged.

"The people who matter already know who you are."

The statement stayed with her long after the conversation ended.

Meanwhile, Liam was having a significantly worse evening.

He had just finished dinner with Victoria when she casually announced,

"Margaret says Ethan has practically moved into the Lux estate."

Liam nearly dropped his glass.

"What?"

Victoria looked innocent.

Far too innocent.

"They spend a lot of time together."

Liam said nothing.

Victoria continued.

"Apparently Judith laughs more around him these days."

Still nothing.

Which told her everything she needed to know.

───

After she left, Liam found himself standing alone by the window of his study.

The city stretched endlessly beyond the glass.

Normally, the view helped him think.

Tonight it didn't.

Because one thought kept returning.

Ethan was there.

Every day.

Every time Judith needed support.

Every moment Liam wasn't.

And for the first time, the possibility felt real.

Very real.

Judith might actually move on.

She might actually fall in love with someone else.

The realization hit harder than he expected.

Much harder.

For the first time since the divorce, Liam wasn't worried about losing a second chance.

He was worried there might not be one left to lose.