Chapter 119 One Hundred And Nineteen
Sofia liked mornings like this.
Quiet. Controlled. Victorious.
She sat at her kitchen island with her laptop open, a fresh cup of coffee steaming beside her.
On the screen—
The headline.
Bold.
Trending.
Shared thousands of times already.
KENNEDY REKINDLES ROMANCE WITH EX-FIANCÉ – INTIMATE LUNCH SPOTTED
Beneath it, the photographs she had carefully orchestrated.
The angle of Kennedy’s body leaning slightly toward her.
The captured brush of her fingers against his hand.
The shot of them walking side by side, close enough to suggest familiarity.
The comments were pouring in.
They always looked better together.
His baby mama never stood a chance.
He was just going through a phase.
Sofia’s lips curved slowly.
This should do it.
Public doubt was stronger than private reassurance. No matter what Kennedy told Antonia, those images would replay in her mind.
Over and over.
One tiny misunderstanding—and now this.
It would widen the crack she’d seen yesterday.
She scrolled further.
More shares.
More speculation.
More noise.
Perfect.
Her phone vibrated against the marble counter.
She didn’t need to look to know who it should be.
Kennedy.
Finally realizing what she’d done.
Finally calling.
She picked it up with a slow, satisfied inhale.
But the name on the screen made her brow lift.
Austin.
Interesting.
She answered smoothly.
“Good morning.”
“How the hell did you do it?” Austin’s voice was sharp, and very surprised.
Sofia leaned back in her chair, amused.
“That’s not a greeting.”
“How did you get him so quickly?” he demanded. “It’s all over the blogs.”
She clicked her tongue lightly. “You sound impressed.”
“I’m confused.”
“That’s because you underestimate me.”
Austin exhaled sharply on the other end.
“It's just been two days and you’ve got headlines claiming you’re back with him.”
She smiled at the laptop screen again.
“Public perception moves faster than emotion.”
“You set that up.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Of course I did.”
There was a pause.
“You hired someone.”
“Yes.”
“Jesus, Sofia.”
“Relax,” she said lightly. “It’s strategic.”
“You said you wanted him unsettled, not trending.”
“I wanted him divided.”
She could almost hear Austin pacing.
“You think this pushes him toward you?”
“No,” she corrected calmly. “It pushes her away from him.”
Silence.
“How then do you get him?” he asked.
"Leave that to me." She said and took a slow sip of her coffee before adding.
“You should be thanking me.”
“For what?”
“For clearing your path.”
He didn’t respond immediately.
So she continued.
“You want Antonia back, don’t you?”
“Of course, but...”
“No 'buts', Austin,” she interrupted softly. “You didn’t fly back into town for closure. You came back because you still want her.”
He exhaled slowly.
“Their bond is stronger. She has a child with him.”
“And now she has a reason to doubt him.”
Her words landed deliberately.
Calculated.
“She’s emotional right now,” Sofia continued. “Hurt. Defensive. Guarded.”
“You think that helps me?”
“It makes her vulnerable.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
Sofia’s smile faded slightly.
“You’re too sentimental, Austin.”
“And you’re too cold.”
She ignored that.
“She will push him away,” Sofia said calmly. “And when she does, who do you think will be there to comfort her?”
Austin was quiet for a long moment.
“You’re assuming she’ll choose me.”
“I’m assuming proximity wins.”
He sighed.
“And what if Kennedy fights?”
She tilted her head slightly.
“He won’t fight publicly.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Because pride will stop him.”
Austin didn’t argue with that.
He knew Kennedy well enough.
“I think I should drop by her apartment to see her,” Austin said suddenly.
Sofia’s lips curved into a smile.
“Nice. Strike while the iron is hot.”
“I need to find out how she took the news.”
“And once you do, let me know.” she said coolly.
There was tension in Austin’s silence now.
“And how do you intend to get Kennedy?” he asked.
“Oh, leave that to me.”
“You're confident.”
“Kennedy will be mine soon enough.”
Austin’s voice dropped slightly.
“You still love him,” he said quietly.
Sofia didn’t respond immediately.
Instead, she closed her laptop slowly.
“I want balance restored.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s enough.”
There was a shift in the air between them.
“You’re not going to sabotage me too, are you?” Austin asked carefully.
She laughed softly.
“Why would I? I just handed you an opportunity.”
“By hurting Antonia.”
“By opening a door.”
Before he could reply—
A sharp knock sounded at her door.
Her entire body stiffened.
She wasn’t expecting anyone.
Her building had strict security. Visitors were usually announced.
The knock came again.
Firm.
Not hesitant.
Her pulse quickened slightly.
Austin heard it through the phone.
“Expecting company?”
“No.”
“Maybe it’s him.”
Her mind flickered briefly.
Kennedy.
Angry.
Confrontational.
Demanding answers.
Her lips curved slightly at the thought.
“I have got to go,” she said quietly. "Talk to you later."
She rose from her chair, heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
The knock came a third time.
More insistent.
Her stomach tightened—not with fear.
With curiosity.
Who would come unannounced?
She moved toward the door slowly, checking the reflection in the hallway mirror.
Composed.
Unbothered.
Always.
“Who is it?” she called calmly.
Silence.
Then—
Another knock.
Harder.
She moved closer to the door, lowering her voice.
“If this is him, this gets interesting.”
She reached for the handle.
Paused.
Smiled slightly.
And turned it.
The door opened—
And whatever expression she had prepared—
Shifted.
Because standing there—
Was the most furious man she has ever encountered in her life.
And that unsettled her more than she cared to admit.