His Whispers in Another Tongue

I ended the call and turned to Judson, my expression carefully neutral. He was watching me from the staircase, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.

I maintained my usual gentle smile. "Just an old college classmate. She was complaining to me about some office gossip. Apparently, some CEO cheated on his wife with his secretary, and now his wife is filing for divorce."

If he was determined to act, then I would play along until the final curtain fell.

Judson scrutinized my face, his eyes shifting as if searching for any cracks in my composure. When he found only serenity, his tense shoulders finally relaxed.

He descended the stairs, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my forehead. "The guy's a fool. He doesn't understand that a marriage is the most precious thing in the world."

"If it were me, I'd rather let my company go bankrupt than betray you."

I met his deep gaze and let out a soft laugh. "But what if it really happened, Judson?"

Judson cut me off immediately, his brow furrowing slightly. "Camila, let's not talk about 'what ifs.' I, Judson Hawthorne, swear on everything I've built that I will never betray you."

I shook my head, swallowing the hard lump that had formed in my throat. "Of course. I was just saying."

Judson fell silent, rubbing his rough stubble against my cheek. I could feel his unease.

It was so absurd. He had slept with Rebecca, yet he was still stubbornly trying to possess all of me.

"If I ever break my vow, then I deserve to lose everything—my wealth, my status, and you. You are my angel, my entire life. Camila, without you, I'll be living in hell."

I didn't speak, just gently pulled away from his embrace and turned toward the liquor cabinet.

I would be gone in three days. He swore he deserved to lose everything if he betrayed me. Fine. I would grant him his wish.

Just then, Judson's assistant, Owen Knight, called out from the doorway, "Sir, everything is ready."

Judson nodded, his previously solemn expression instantly replaced by excitement. "Come on. I have a surprise for you."

He took my hand, led me to the terrace, and then suddenly covered my eyes. He whispered in my ear, "Get ready for your sixth-anniversary gift. Five, four, three..."

The moment the countdown ended, he moved his hand away.

I froze, completely stunned by the sight before me.

A thousand drones ascended over Lake Washington, their lights blazing as they formed a glowing number "6" that morphed into a giant, beating heart.

Judson wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Darling," he murmured, his voice full of emotion. "Six years, and every day with you still feels as perfect as the first."

The lights in the sky were dazzling, illuminating half of Seattle, but something deep inside me quietly went out.

Six years. It was long enough to transform me from the spirited, brilliant heiress of the Ross family to the demure hostess of the Hawthorne estate, smiling on cue at social events. Six years. It was long enough for love to decay into betrayal and for vows to become lies.

Judson turned me to face him, looking at me as if I were his entire world. "We'll have countless anniversaries to come, and for every single one, I'll give you the best of everything."

He slowly leaned in to kiss me.

If I hadn't seen that Patek Philippe on Rebecca's private story, if I hadn't heard that phone call, I probably would have been lost in his gaze forever.

Just as his lips were about to touch mine, his phone rang. He frowned, clearly annoyed by the sudden interruption.

Perfect. Even God was helping me dodge this kiss.

"Damn it," he muttered. "I told them no interruptions tonight. Who the hell has the nerve?"

But when Judson saw the caller ID, his expression instantly changed. The name "My Starlet" flashed on the screen.

I didn't need to guess to know it was Rebecca.

Judson cleared his throat, angled the phone away, and quickly typed on the screen.

I could see the panic and irrepressible desire in his eyes. Sure enough, a second later, he turned back to me, wearing that familiar, apologetic expression.

"What's wrong?" I asked calmly, even though my nails were digging into my palms.

I already knew the truth. I just wanted to see who he would choose on our anniversary.

Judson shoved the phone into his pocket, his face a mask of apology. "Darling, an urgent M&A deal just came up. I have to go handle it."

"Now?"

"I'm sorry. I know tonight is important, but I can't delay this. Can you go rest in the bedroom for a bit? I promise I'll be back soon."

I nodded obediently. "I understand. Work comes first."

Judson was visibly relieved by my compliance. He gave me a quick hug and then hurried out the door.

A few minutes later, his car sped away from the estate, its taillights vanishing into the darkness.

I slipped out to the garage and got into my unassuming Audi. I was going to see for myself just how "urgent" this so-called deal really was.