chapter 20

Mine....

For the first time in his life, Liam Smith understood why people described certain thoughts as consuming.

No matter what he was doing, his mind kept returning to the same thing.

Judith.

The baby.

The future.

A future he wasn't even sure he belonged in anymore.

Three days after the article was published, Liam was attending a board meeting when his phone vibrated.

Normally he ignored personal notifications during meetings.

This time, he glanced down.

It was a message from Judith.

A rare occurrence.

Doctor's appointment moved to 2 PM.

Nothing else.

No explanation.

No greeting.

Just information.

Yet Liam found himself staring at the screen longer than necessary.

She had informed him.

Not because she had to.

Because she wanted him there.

The realization settled somewhere deep inside him.

Small.

Dangerous.

Hopeful.

By one-thirty, Liam was already at the clinic.

The receptionist recognized him immediately.

The advantages of being famous.

Or disadvantages.

Depending on the situation.

When Judith arrived, she looked surprised.

"You're early."

Liam stood.

"So are you."

She laughed.

The sound caught him off guard.

Because it wasn't forced.

And because lately he found himself noticing every smile she gave.

Especially the ones that weren't meant for him.

The appointment was routine.

Measurements.

Questions.

Health updates.

Nothing dramatic.

At least until the doctor began discussing future preparations.

"The baby is developing perfectly."

Relief instantly crossed Judith's face.

Liam felt the same.

The doctor smiled.

"You both should start thinking about parenting arrangements."

The room grew still.

Neither Liam nor Judith spoke immediately.

The doctor continued as if she hadn't noticed.

"Support systems are important."

She looked directly at Liam.

"The father's involvement makes a significant difference."

Liam nodded.

"I'm involved."

The answer came without hesitation.

The doctor smiled approvingly.

Judith glanced at him.

Something unreadable flickered in her eyes.

After the appointment ended, they walked toward the parking lot together.

The afternoon was warm.

The hospital grounds were quiet.

For a few moments, neither spoke.

Then Liam stopped walking.

"Judith."

She turned.

There was something unusually serious about his expression.

Something determined.

"What is it?"

Liam held her gaze.

"I want to make something clear."

A small crease appeared between her brows.

"What?"

His next words came slowly.

Carefully.

As if he'd spent days thinking about them.

"Regardless of what happens between us, that child comes first."

Judith remained silent.

Listening.

Liam continued.

"I'll be there for every appointment you allow me to attend."

His voice was steady.

"For every school event."

Another step closer.

"For every birthday."

Judith's chest tightened unexpectedly.

"Liam—"

"I'm not asking for anything."

The interruption was gentle.

Not demanding.

Not manipulative.

Just honest.

"I'm telling you."

The conviction in his voice startled her.

Because for once, Liam wasn't speaking like a businessman negotiating a deal.

He was speaking like a father.

That night, Judith sat on her balcony thinking about the conversation.

The city lights glittered in the distance.

Her hand rested unconsciously against her stomach.

The baby moved.

Barely.

A tiny flutter.

Yet enough to make her freeze.

Then smile.

Tears unexpectedly filled her eyes.

She wasn't even sure why.

Maybe because it suddenly felt real.

Maybe because she wished she could protect this child from every disappointment life might bring.

Or maybe because part of her was terrified.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

Julian entered.

One look at her face and his expression softened.

"What happened?"

Judith laughed through her tears.

"I think the baby moved."

For a moment, Julian simply stared.

Then his entire face changed.

His normally intimidating brother looked seconds away from crying.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"That's exactly what I said."

Julian sat beside her.

For several minutes neither spoke.

Just sat there.

Smiling.

The next morning, Liam arrived at Smith Group headquarters to find Sophie waiting in the lobby.

His mood immediately worsened.

She stood as soon as she saw him.

"Liam."

"What are you doing here?"

The question sounded colder than intended.

Sophie noticed.

Her smile faltered.

"I wanted to have lunch."

"I'm busy."

"You've been busy every time I've asked."

Liam didn't answer.

Because they both knew she was right.

Sophie took a breath.

Then decided to be direct.

"Is it because of Judith?"

The question stopped him.

For a second.

Only a second.

Yet it was enough.

Sophie saw it.

And suddenly everything made sense.

The appointments.

The distance.

The rejection.

The attention he never gave her before.

Her heart sank.

Because she had spent years believing Judith was temporary.

Now she wasn't so sure.

That evening, Victoria found Liam unusually quiet during dinner.

She watched him for a few minutes.

Then smiled knowingly.

"You're thinking about the baby."

Liam looked up.

His mother continued.

"You get this expression every time someone mentions Judith now."

Liam sighed.

"You analyze everything."

"I raised you."

Fair point.

Victoria set down her fork.

Then asked softly,

"Have you chosen a side yet?"

Liam frowned.

"What side?"

"The one between fear and love."

The question lingered.

Because despite everything that had happened, Liam understood exactly what she meant.

For months he had been afraid.

Afraid of mistakes.

Afraid of emotions.

Afraid of wanting something he might never get back.

But somewhere along the way, something had changed.

The truth was no longer avoidable.

No longer deniable.

No longer something he could explain away as responsibility.

Or guilt.

Or habit.

When he thought about Judith smiling, his chest felt lighter.

When she was upset, he worried.

When Ethan stood beside her, he hated it.

And when he imagined a future without her...

It felt wrong.

Completely wrong.

For the first time, Liam allowed himself to say the truth aloud.

Not to Judith.

Not to his family.

Just to himself.

"I love her."

The words were quiet.

Almost a whisper.

Yet they changed everything.

Because once spoken, they could never be taken back.

And for the first time since the divorce, Liam Smith stopped trying to convince himself otherwise.