Chapter 126 One Hundred And Twenty Six
Morning light filtered softly through the curtains of Antonia’s living room. The apartment was calm, almost deceptively peaceful, but Antonia’s mind was anything but.
She stood near the kitchen counter, her phone still in her hand, staring blankly at the screen.
Kennedy’s voice echoed in her memory.
“I’ll come by later today to see my son… and to see you.”
The way he had said the last part had sent an unexpected warmth spreading through her chest.
Despite everything.
Despite the headlines.
Despite the pictures.
Despite the boundaries she had drawn between them only days ago.
Her lips pressed together as she shook her head slightly.
No.
She wasn’t going to fall into that trap again.
She had made herself clear.
Their relationship was strictly about their son now.
Nothing more.
Still…
The thought of being alone with him made her uneasy.
Not because she was afraid of Kennedy.
Quite the opposite.
She was afraid of herself.
Afraid of the way her heart still reacted whenever he looked at her.
Afraid of the way her resolve weakened whenever he spoke softly to her.
Antonia exhaled slowly and walked toward the couch, sitting down as she dialed a familiar number.
The phone rang twice before Helen answered.
“Hello?”
“Helen…”
Her sister immediately noticed the tone in her voice.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Antonia said quickly. “I just… need a favor.”
There was a brief pause on the other end.
“What kind of favor?”
“Can you come over today?”
“Now?”
“Soon.”
Helen sounded slightly confused.
“Why?”
Antonia hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Kennedy called earlier.”
Helen immediately understood.
“Oh.”
“He said he’s coming to see the baby.”
“That’s normal.”
“Yes,” Antonia admitted. “But… he also said he wants to see me.”
“And that’s a problem?”
Antonia sighed softly.
“I just don’t want to be alone with him.”
Helen was quiet for a moment.
“You’re still upset about those photos.”
“Yes.”
“And about everything else.”
Antonia rubbed her forehead lightly.
“I set boundaries, Helen. I told him things between us are only about co-parenting now.”
“And?”
“And I don’t trust myself to keep those boundaries if we’re alone.”
Helen’s voice softened slightly.
“You still love him.”
Antonia didn’t answer immediately.
“I don’t know what I feel,” she said finally.
“That sounds like love.”
“It sounds like confusion.”
Helen sighed lightly.
“Well… when is he coming?”
“Later today.”
“Then yes, I’ll come over.”
Relief washed over Antonia instantly.
“Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“I just need someone else here so things don’t get awkward.”
Helen chuckled softly.
“Knowing Kennedy, awkward won’t stop him from trying to talk to you.”
“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”
Helen’s voice turned reassuring.
“Relax. I’ll be there.”
“When?”
“I just need to finish something here and I’ll head over.”
“Okay.”
They ended the call shortly after.
Antonia placed the phone on the coffee table and leaned back against the couch.
The baby monitor on the table emitted soft, steady sounds from the bedroom where her son slept peacefully.
For a few minutes, the apartment remained quiet.
But inside her chest, her heart beat a little too fast.
Kennedy was coming.
The thought alone stirred emotions she wasn’t ready to face again.
Hours passed slowly.
Antonia tried to distract herself.
She cleaned the kitchen.
Folded laundry.
Checked on the baby twice.
But every few minutes her eyes drifted toward the front door.
Waiting.
Listening.
Finally, just after noon—
A knock sounded.
Her heart jumped.
Antonia glanced at the clock.
Helen wasn’t supposed to be there yet.
Which meant—
Her stomach tightened slightly.
Kennedy.
She stood still for a moment, gathering herself.
Then she walked slowly toward the door.
Her hand hovered over the handle for a brief second before she finally opened it.
And froze.
Kennedy stood there.
But he wasn’t alone.
Beside him stood a woman Antonia recognized immediately.
Priscilla Walton.
Kennedy’s mother.
Elegant as always.
Perfectly dressed.
Poised.
Her sharp eyes studied Antonia with quiet intensity.
Antonia blinked in surprise.
She hadn’t expected this.
Not at all.
Kennedy noticed the confusion on her face.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said quietly. “My mother wanted to come see her grandson.”
Priscilla smiled politely.
“I’ve missed him so much. I can't wait to hold him.”
Antonia quickly stepped aside.
“Of course… please come in.”
They entered the apartment.
Kennedy’s presence filled the space immediately, but it was his mother’s gaze that made Antonia feel slightly nervous.
Priscilla took in the surroundings carefully.
The tidy living room.
The toys near the couch.
The soft baby blanket draped over the armchair.
“It’s lovely,” she said calmly.
“Thank you,” Antonia replied.
Kennedy glanced toward the hallway.
“Is he awake?”
“He just woke up a few minutes ago.”
As if on cue, the baby monitor emitted a small cry.
Priscilla’s face softened immediately.
“Oh my.”
Antonia smiled faintly.
“I’ll get him.”
She disappeared down the hallway.
Kennedy and his mother remained in the living room.
Priscilla turned toward him quietly.
“You got them a very nice apartment, but living separately in the same city doesn't make sense to me.”
Kennedy gave a small shrug.
“We haven't worked our differences.”
"But you both still love each other, and I believe proximity could solve some of this differences."
A moment later Antonia returned.
The baby rested comfortably in her arms, his small fingers curled gently around the fabric of her shirt.
Priscilla’s expression transformed instantly.
“Oh, he’s beautiful.”
Antonia walked closer and carefully placed the baby in her arms.
Priscilla held him like something precious.
“Hello, little one.”
The baby blinked curiously up at her.
Kennedy watched the scene quietly.
For a brief moment, it almost felt like a real family.
But the tension between him and Antonia still lingered in the air.
She kept a careful distance from him.
Every movement measured.
Every glance brief.
Priscilla noticed it too.
Her sharp instincts missed very little.
“So,” she said lightly after a moment. “How have things been between you two?”
Antonia stiffened slightly.
Kennedy’s jaw tightened.
Antonia answered first.
“We’re focusing on co-parenting.”
The words came out calm.
Controlled.
Priscilla’s gaze shifted between them.
“Is that so?”
“Yes,” Antonia said.
Kennedy said nothing.
His silence spoke louder than any words.
Priscilla studied him briefly.
Then she looked back at Antonia.
“Well… that’s certainly mature of both of you.”
But inside, Kennedy felt something heavy settle in his chest.
Antonia had meant what she said.
She wasn’t leaving room for anything else.
No second chances.
No reconciliation.
Just their son.
And nothing more.
He hid the pain well.
But standing only a few feet away from her while feeling that invisible wall between them—
Was harder than he expected.
And the worst part?
He knew exactly why she had built it.