Page 80 of Her Charming Duke


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Judith took a step back, clearly struggling with her emotions. “What’s changed, Aaron? Why are you telling me this now?”

Aaron looked up, his eyes filled with desperation. “I found out that Amelia lied. She wasn’t ruined by me. And it made me realize that I was wrong about everything. I should have told you how I felt from the beginning. I should have fought for you.”

Judith’s tears began to fall, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

“Please, Judith,” Aaron said. “I’m begging you to forgive me. I love you, and I want to make things right. I’m not perfect, I know that, but I do love you, and I know you… at least I think you feel the same.”

Judith looked at him, her eyes searching his.

For a moment, the room was silent. Aaron’s heart pounded as he waited for her response, every second feeling like an eternity.

Finally, Judith spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “Aaron, I… I don’t know what to say. You’ve hurt me so much. And I am engaged. I am to be married. You told me Lord Leeds was a wonderful match for me.”

“He is, but I can’t stand by and watch you marry him, knowing you are not doing it out of love. Or are you? Do you love him?” he asked as the thought suddenly crept up on him.

He hadn’t even considered this. What if she had fallen in love with his friend?

“No, I do not love him,” she said swiftly, and instant relief washed over him.

Aaron stepped closer. “I promise you, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll let me.”

Judith’s eyes locked onto his, the pain and confusion evident in them. “How can I trust you, Aaron? How do I know you won’t hurt me again?”

Aaron swallowed hard. “I would rather die than see you unhappy. I was a coward before, but I’ve learned from my mistakes. Please, give me a chance to prove it to you.”

The room fell silent once more, the weight of his words hanging heavily between them. Judith took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving his.

“I need time, Aaron,” she murmured. “Time to think, to understand all of this.”

Aaron nodded, his heart aching with equal hope and fear. “Take all the time you need, Judith. I’ll be here, waiting for you. No matter how long it takes. I will accept whatever decision you make. If you marry him, then I wish you happiness. But if you choose to forgive me, I will be here, waiting with open arms.”

Judith gave a small nod, her eyes still filled with uncertainty.

As she turned to leave, Aaron felt a glimmer of hope. He knew that whatever happened next was out of his hands. All he could do was wait and hope that Judith would find her way back to him.

CHAPTER 34

“Judy,” Oliver called as he followed his sister, who’d stumbled out of the room on unsteady legs. “What is this all about?”

“I… I should have told you, but I was so confused and…”

“Do you love him?” Oliver asked, surprising her because she’d expected a lecture of some sort, at the very least.

Did she love Aaron? Yes. But…

“Oliver, please, I do not feel well. I need to take the air, please let me.”

He sighed deeply but walked her to the garden door to let her out.

“Very well, but you must make a decision, Judith. If this wedding needs to be canceled, then we will do it, but I need to know what you want. Do not make decisions based on anything but what you want and what is right for you,” he urged, shocking her once more.

Given that this had all started because of him, his words meant a great deal to her. How people could change.

As she made her way into the garden, she pondered what happened over the last few days. If Oliver could change so much, surely so could Aaron. Maybe everything he’d said was true. But did that matter now? Wasn’t it too late?

The cool air hit her face, but it did little to calm the storm inside her. She gasped for breath, her heart pounding in her chest.

Aaron loved her.