chapter 25

The Worst Kind of Fear.....

Judith had always thought heartbreak was the worst feeling in the world.

She had been wrong.

Heartbreak was painful.

But at least it gave you certainty.

You knew where you stood.

You knew what you had lost.

What Judith was feeling now was far worse.

Because it was uncertainty.

And uncertainty had a way of creeping into every quiet moment.

Two days after Ethan's confession, Judith found herself distracted during a board meeting.

A presentation was happening.

Someone was discussing projected growth.

Another executive was talking about expansion plans.

Judith heard none of it.

Her thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.

To Ethan.

To Liam.

To the baby.

To a future she couldn't clearly see.

"Judith."

She blinked.

Everyone was staring at her.

Julian was sitting across the table with an expression that clearly said where exactly did your brain go?

"Sorry."

One of the directors smiled politely.

"We were asking if you approved the proposal."

Judith glanced at the documents.

Then signed them.

"Approved."

The meeting continued.

Her concentration did not.

That evening, Ava arrived carrying takeout and bad advice.

Mostly bad advice.

"You should date Ethan."

Judith nearly choked on her drink.

"What?"

Ava shrugged.

"He worships the ground you walk on."

"That's not a reason to date someone."

"It's a fantastic reason."

"No."

"Fine."

Ava grabbed a dumpling.

"Then date Liam."

Judith stared at her.

"Are you trying to give me a headache?"

"I'm trying to solve your problem."

"My problem isn't choosing between two men."

Ava snorted.

"That's exactly your problem."

Judith threw a cushion at her.

Ava caught it.

Unfortunately, missing would have been much more satisfying.

Later that night, after Ava finally left, Judith stood on the balcony outside her room.

The city lights glittered in the distance.

The baby kicked lightly.

A small movement.

Yet enough to make her smile.

"You're becoming very active."

Her hand rested on her stomach.

The baby kicked again.

As if responding.

And this time, a laugh escaped her lips.

The moment should have felt peaceful.

Instead, it made her emotional.

Because suddenly she realized how much her life was changing.

Soon she wouldn't just be Judith Lux.

A Businesswoman.

A Daughter.

A Sister.

She would be someone's mother.

Someone would depend on her completely.

The thought was beautiful.

Terrifying yet overwhelming.

The next morning brought another surprise.

Judith was arriving at work when she felt suddenly dizzy.

It wasn't severe.

Just enough to make her stop walking.

Before she could steady herself, a hand reached out.

"Careful."

Liam.

Of course it was Liam.

Because apparently the universe enjoyed making things complicated.

"I'm fine."

"You almost fell."

"I didn't."

"You were about to."

Judith rolled her eyes.

Liam ignored her.

His concern wasn't dramatic.

Or possessive.

It was worse.

It was genuine.

And that made it harder to dismiss.

"Have you eaten?"

Judith immediately regretted telling him about pregnancy cravings weeks ago.

Because now he asked that question constantly.

"Yes."

"Properly?"

"Liam."

"That's not an answer."

Despite herself, she smiled.

For a brief moment, neither noticed how natural the interaction felt.

How familiar.

How easy.

Then reality returned.

And the atmosphere shifted.

Aware of everything that had happened between them.

Everything that still remained unresolved.

Liam watched her carefully.

"You look tired."

"I am tired."

"You should rest more."

Judith laughed.

"Do you know how many people have told me that?"

"Probably not enough."

She shook her head.

Yet a small warmth settled in her chest.

Because Liam noticed things now.

Little things.

Things he used to miss.

And that was exactly the problem.

That evening, Liam sat in his office long after everyone else had gone home.

A file lay open on his desk.

He hadn't read a single page.

His thoughts were elsewhere.

Again.

Lately that seemed to happen often.

His phone buzzed.

A message from Victoria.

Dinner tomorrow. Don't be late.

Liam typed a reply.

I'll be there.

A few seconds later another message arrived.

Judith is coming too.

Liam stared at the screen.

Then sighed.

His mother wasn't subtle.

Not even slightly.

The following evening, the Smith mansion was unusually lively.

Victoria had invited the Lux family.

The Blackwoods.

A few close family friends.

Essentially everyone except the people she actually wanted to keep away.

Judith knew exactly what was happening.

So did Liam.

So did Julian.

Especially Julian.

The moment Ethan arrived, Julian greeted him like a long-lost brother.

The moment Liam arrived, Julian greeted him like a tax audit.

The difference was impossible to miss.

Halfway through dinner, Victoria casually announced,

"I think family support is very important during pregnancy."

Everyone immediately knew where this conversation was heading.

Richard hid a smile.

Eleanor looked amused.

Ava looked delighted.

Julian looked murderous.

"Which is why," Victoria continued, "it's wonderful that Judith has so many people who care about her."

She looked directly at Liam.

Then at Ethan.

The table became silent.

Completely silent.

Ava nearly inhaled her drink.

Richard suddenly became very interested in his wine.

Eleanor looked seconds away from laughing.

And Julian?

Julian looked ready to sell tickets.

For the first time in years, Liam and Ethan found themselves looking directly at each other.

Neither spoke.

Neither looked away.

The challenge wasn't verbal.

It didn't need to be.

Because both men understood something important.

They wanted the same woman.

The realization should have made Liam angry.

Instead, it made him afraid.

Genuinely afraid.

Not of Ethan.

But of losing to him.

Because for the first time, there was someone standing beside Judith who knew exactly how valuable she was.

Someone who had seen her worth long before the divorce.

Someone who wasn't trying to make up for lost time.

Someone who had never wasted her love.

And for the first time since realizing his feelings, Liam wondered whether he might already be too late.

The thought followed him all the way home.

And for the first time in a very long time, Liam Smith couldn't find a solution.

Because some mistakes didn't come with easy fixes.

Some mistakes simply came with consequences.

And he was beginning to fear he was about to face his.