chapter 27

I Don't Trust Him......

Julian Lux had never claimed to be reasonable when it came to his sister.

In fact, if someone asked him, he would openly admit he wasn't.

Judith was his little sister.

The person he'd protected his entire life.

The person who once followed him around the house crying because she'd scraped her knee.

The person who called him first whenever something went wrong.

So no, he wasn't objective where she was concerned.

And he didn't particularly care.

Unfortunately, over the last few months, something had started bothering him.

Something he didn't like.

Something he couldn't ignore.

Liam Smith was changing.

And that made things complicated.

Because Julian preferred villains.

Villains were easy.

You hated them.

You opposed them.

You moved on.

And if Liam wasn't a villain,

That was the problem.

Julian was leaving a meeting when his assistant caught up with him.

"Mr. Lux."

"What?"

"The report you requested."

Julian accepted the file.

"What report?"

"The one regarding Smith Group's donations."

Suddenly he remembered.

A few weeks ago, he'd heard about several large charitable contributions being made quietly through Liam's foundation.

Out of curiosity, he'd asked for details.

Certainly not because he was investigating Liam.

That would have been ridiculous.

Ten minutes later, Julian sat alone in his office reading.

Then reading again.

Then reading a third time.

Because something wasn't adding up.

The donations weren't public.

They hadn't been announced.

Millions of dollars directed toward children's hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and education of children.

Julian frowned.

Most wealthy people loved publicity.

Especially businessmen.

Yet Liam hadn't told anyone.

Which meant he wasn't doing it for applause.

The realization irritated him more than it should have.

"Why are you making this difficult?"

Julian muttered.

The report obviously didn't answer.

Which was probably for the best.

That evening, he arrived at the Lux estate and found Judith sitting in the garden.

Lately she spent a lot of time there.

Apparently pregnancy had transformed her into someone who enjoyed flowers.

A development Julian still didn't understand.

"How are you feeling?"

Judith looked up.

"Tired."

"That's your answer every day."

"Because I'm tired every day."

Fair enough.

Julian sat beside her.

For several moments, neither spoke.

Then he casually asked,

"How often do you see Liam?"

Judith immediately looked suspicious.

"Why?"

"No reason."

"There is definitely a reason."

Julian sighed.

His sister knew him too well.

"We've been spending more time together."

The admission came carefully.

As though she wasn't entirely sure how she felt about it herself.

Julian nodded.

Then asked the question he'd been avoiding.

"Do you trust him?"

The silence that followed lasted longer than expected.

Eventually Judith looked away.

Toward the gardens.

Toward anywhere except him.

"I trust that he loves the baby."

Julian waited.

When nothing else came, he frowned.

"And?"

Judith smiled sadly.

"And that's all I know for sure."

The answer settled heavily between them.

Because Julian understood exactly what she meant.

She believed Liam loved their child.

Without question.

Without doubt.

Everything else remained uncertain.

And after everything that had happened, Julian couldn't blame her.

The following afternoon, Liam arrived at a prenatal appointment carrying a bag of snacks.

Judith immediately stared at him.

"What is that?"

"Food."

"I can see that."

"You forgot lunch yesterday."

Judith froze.

"How do you know that?"

Liam looked completely unapologetic.

"I asked Ava."

"Ava is a traitor."

"She seemed very cooperative."

Judith groaned.

The doctor called them inside before she could continue the argument.

An argument Liam was clearly enjoying.

Which was annoying.

Very annoying.

During the appointment, the doctor discussed nutrition, rest, and future planning.

Until she mentioned stress,

"You need to avoid unnecessary pressure."

The doctor looked directly at Judith.

"Especially during the final months."

Liam immediately nodded.

Judith rolled her eyes.

"Don't encourage him."

The doctor laughed.

Liam looked entirely too pleased with himself.

───

Afterward, they stopped at a small café nearby.

The place was quiet.

Hidden from reporters.

Hidden from curious eyes.

One of the advantages of being absurdly wealthy was having access to private locations.

For a while, they talked about ordinary things.

Movies.

Books.

The baby.

Then Liam suddenly asked,

"What scares you the most?"

Judith looked up from her tea.

The question caught her off guard.

"What kind of question is that?"

"An honest one."

She stared at him.

Then sighed.

"Pregnancy?"

Liam shook his head.

"Life."

The answer came before she could stop it.

"Being disappointed again."

The moment the words left her mouth, silence settled over the table.

Not awkward silence.

Heavy silence.

The kind that comes when somebody accidentally tells the truth.

Liam looked down briefly.

The answer hurt.

Not because it was unfair.

Because it wasn't.

Because he knew exactly who she was talking about.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Liam quietly asked,

"Do you think I'll disappoint you again?"

Judith's fingers tightened around her cup.

The question was simple.

The answer wasn't.

Finally she looked at him.

Really looked at him.

At the man who had spent months trying.

Showing up.

Being present.

Learning.

Changing.

And yet...

"I don't know."

Her honesty stung.

But Liam nodded.

Because if their positions were reversed, he wouldn't know either.

That evening, Judith returned home to find Julian waiting in the living room.

The moment she walked in, he looked up.

"How was your appointment?"

"Good."

Julian hesitated.

Then asked,

"Did Liam go?"

Judith nodded.

Julian leaned back.

Thinking.

Watching.

Processing.

Then finally said what had been bothering him for weeks.

"I still don't trust him."

Judith smiled faintly.

"You've never trusted him."

"True."

Julian folded his arms.

"But before, I thought he didn't deserve you."

His expression softened.

"Now I'm worried you still love him."

The room became quiet.

Because unlike most people, Julian wasn't asking for an answer.

He already knew it.

Judith loved Liam.

Maybe not in the same way she once had.

Maybe not as blindly.

Maybe not as completely.

But the feelings were still there.

And that frightened Julian more than anything.

Because loving someone gave them the power to hurt you.

And he wasn't sure he could watch his sister survive that twice.