chapter 38

The Choice Nobody Wanted...

Ethan Blackwood wasn't a dramatic man.

He didn't throw punches when he was angry.

He didn't make scenes when he was hurt.

And he certainly didn't beg.

Which was exactly why Judith felt guilty.

After seeing him in the parking lot, she spent the rest of the day thinking about the look in his eyes.

Not jealousy.

Not resentment.

Just disappointment.

The kind of disappointment that came when you already knew how something would end.

That evening, Ethan sat alone on the balcony of his penthouse, a glass of whiskey untouched beside him.

The city stretched beneath him.

Bright, busy and alive.

Usually, he enjoyed moments like this.

Tonight, he didn't.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

His mother stepped outside.

One look at him and she sighed.

"She chose him."

It wasn't a question.

Ethan laughed quietly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"You've looked miserable for three hours."

"Only three?"

His mother sat beside him.

For a while, neither spoke

Then Ethan shook his head.

"The worst part is that I understand."

His mother glanced toward him.

"I understand why she loves him."

The admission hurt.

But it was true.

Because despite everything Liam had done wrong, there was one thing Ethan could never deny.

Liam loved Judith.

Maybe he realized it too late.

Maybe he nearly lost her because of it.

But he loved her.

And sometimes love was unfair.

His mother squeezed his shoulder.

"You deserve someone who chooses you first."

Ethan smiled sadly

"Maybe."

For the first time, he wondered if it was finally time to let go.

Across the city, Judith was having a much more complicated evening.

Because Liam had just shown up at the Lux estate.

Again.

"Why are you here?"

Liam held up a paper bag.

"Dinner."

Judith stared.

"You brought dinner."

"Yes."

"To my house."

"Yes."

"Where my family already cooks."

Liam paused.

"That does sound less impressive when you say it out loud."

Judith laughed.

Before she could say anything else, Eleanor appeared.

"Oh, Liam."

Liam immediately straightened.

"Mrs. Lux."

Eleanor smiled.

"Come in."

Judith narrowed her eyes.

"Mom."

"What?"

"You like him too much."

"I do."

At least she was honest.

Twenty minutes later, Liam found himself at the Lux family dinner table.

Again.

At this point, it was becoming suspiciously normal.

Richard discussed business.

Eleanor discussed baby names.

Ava somehow appeared despite not living there.

Nobody questioned it anymore.

And Julian...

Julian looked annoyed.

Which was normal.

Until he suddenly spoke.

"Liam."

The table became quieter.

Liam looked up.

"Yes?"

Julian leaned back in his chair.

"What exactly are your intentions?"

Ava nearly choked.

Richard immediately became interested.

Eleanor hid a smile.

Judith wanted to disappear.

"Julian."

"No."

Her brother ignored her completely.

"We're having this conversation."

Unfortunately, it appeared they were.

Liam set down his glass.

For once, he didn't look uncomfortable.

Didn't look defensive.

Just serious.

Which immediately caught Julian's attention.

"I love your sister."

The room fell silent.

Even though everyone already knew.

Hearing it out loud felt different.

Liam continued.

"I want her back."

Judith's heart skipped.

Across the table, Julian remained expressionless.

"And if she says no?"

The answer came instantly.

"Then I'll respect it."

Julian studied him carefully.

Looking for hesitation.

Looking for arrogance.

Looking for anything he could attack.

He found nothing.

Because Liam meant it.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Julian nodded once.

To everyone's shock.

Including Liam's.

"Good answer."

The entire table stared.

"That's it?"

Ava looked offended.

"You built up all that tension for a good answer?"

Julian ignored her.

Because the truth was simple.

Months ago, Liam would've said something else.

Something entitled.

Something careless.

Tonight he hadn't.

And Julian noticed.

Later that evening, after dinner ended, Liam walked Judith toward the garden.

The air was cool.

The estate quiet.

For a while, neither spoke.

Then Judith looked at him.

"You handled that well."

Liam laughed.

"I thought your brother was going to kill me."

"He considered it."

"Comforting."

Judith smiled.

The conversation faded.

The silence that followed wasn't awkward.

It rarely was anymore.

Finally, Liam stopped walking.

"Can I ask you something?"

Judith nodded.

His expression softened.

"When was the last time you were truly happy with me?"

The question caught her completely off guard.

Not because it was difficult.

Because she knew the answer immediately.

She smiled before she could stop herself.

"Our honeymoon."

Liam blinked.

"Really?"

"Really."

A laugh escaped him.

"That was years ago."

"I know."

The smile slowly faded.

Neither missed the sadness hidden inside those words.

Years.

Years they could've spent loving each other properly.

Years wasted.

Years neither could get back.

Liam looked down briefly.

Then met her eyes again.

"I can't change those years."

Judith remained silent.

Because that much was true.

He couldn't.

No one could

Then Liam took a step closer.

"But I can change what happens next."

The words settled softly between them.

No pressure no demand and definitely no promise he couldn't keep.

Just a simple truth.

For the first time, Judith didn't feel afraid of the future.

Not completely.

Because whether she chose Liam or not, she finally believed something she hadn't believed in a long time.

He wasn't the same man anymore.

And maybe...

Just maybe...

Neither was she.