Chapter 134 One Hundred And Thirty Four
Antonia pushed the stroller slowly along the paved walkway, enjoying the calm rhythm of the moment.
The baby slept peacefully beneath the shade of the stroller canopy, his tiny chest rising and falling in gentle breaths.
Beside her, Austin walked with his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his jacket.
Their conversation had drifted easily from one topic to another—small stories about their past.
For the first time in what felt like weeks, Antonia’s shoulders had relaxed.
The park felt open.
Free.
A welcome break from the suffocating quiet of her apartment.
“You know,” Austin said lightly, glancing at her, “you smile more when you’re outside.”
Antonia chuckled.
“That’s probably because I’m not staring at dirty diapers.”
“That would do it.”
She shook her head with a laugh.
“I swear babies produce more laundry than adults.”
“Impressive talent.”
She smiled again.
Austin watched her quietly for a moment.
The sunlight caught in her hair, illuminating soft strands around her face. There was something calm about her presence—something genuine that felt completely different from the chaos he was accustomed with.
He almost forgot, briefly, that this entire outing was part of a carefully crafted plan.
Almost.
They turned a corner in the path.
And that was when Antonia’s smile slowly faded.
Her steps slowed.
Austin noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
But she didn’t answer.
Her gaze had fixed on something ahead.
Austin followed her line of sight.
Two figures were approaching from the opposite direction.
Kennedy.
And Sofia.
Austin’s eyes flickered briefly.
Right on schedule.
Kennedy was walking fast.
Too fast.
His posture was stiff, shoulders tense, his expression dark and unreadable.
Sofia walked beside him with a much calmer pace, though the faint curve of satisfaction on her lips was difficult to hide.
Antonia’s hands tightened slightly around the stroller handle.
“Austin…”
“I see them.”
Kennedy stopped directly in front of them.
His gaze moved immediately to the stroller.
Then to Antonia.
Then to Austin.
His jaw clenched.
“What exactly is going on here?”
The sharpness in his voice made Antonia blink in surprise.
“Excuse me?”
Kennedy gestured vaguely between her and Austin.
“This.”
His eyes hardened.
“You two out here playing family?”
Antonia straightened slightly.
“Kennedy, what are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you walking around the park with him.”
Austin raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Is that a crime now?”
Kennedy ignored him completely.
His attention remained fixed on Antonia.
“You couldn’t even wait a week?”
Her confusion quickly turned into irritation.
“Wait for what?”
“Before you could move on from me.”
Antonia laughed once—short and disbelieving.
“You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
“You didn’t come yesterday.”
“I had work.”
“You always have work.”
Kennedy’s jaw tightened further.
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?”
“The point is you’re out here with him.”
Austin crossed his arms casually.
“You’re making it sound like we’re doing something illegal.”
Kennedy finally turned his glare toward him.
“And you should stay out of this.”
Austin didn’t move.
“Hard to do that when you’re talking to someone I’m walking with.”
The tension between them thickened instantly.
Sofia stepped slightly closer to Kennedy, placing a light hand on his arm.
“Maybe we should calm down—”
Kennedy didn’t even look at her.
“I’m perfectly calm.”
His tone said otherwise.
Antonia’s voice hardened.
“You don’t get to talk to me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I owe you explanations.”
Kennedy scoffed.
“You’re walking around with another man.”
“And?”
“And that’s supposed to be normal?”
Austin gave a quiet chuckle.
“You might want to check the calendar. It’s the twenty-first century.”
Kennedy’s eyes flashed.
“Stay out of it.”
Austin shrugged.
“Then stop talking to her like she’s done something wrong.”
Sofia watched the exchange carefully, saying nothing.
This was unfolding better than she had expected.
Kennedy turned back toward Antonia again.
“You told me our relationship was about the baby.”
“It is.”
“So what exactly is this?”
“A walk.”
“With him.”
“Yes.”
Kennedy’s laugh came out harsh.
“Interesting timing.”
Antonia frowned.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means the moment I’m out of the picture, you suddenly find time for someone else.”
Austin’s patience thinned.
“Alright, that’s enough.”
Kennedy’s eyes snapped back to him.
“You really think you belong here?”
Austin stepped slightly closer to Antonia, his presence calm but firm.
“She’s not alone. So yeah… I’m here.”
The subtle protective stance didn’t go unnoticed.
And it didn’t sit well with Kennedy.
“You’re pushing my son’s stroller.”
“I was helping.”
“You’re not his father.”
“No one said I was.”
Antonia stepped forward before the situation escalated further.
“Kennedy, stop.”
He looked at her again.
“You’re really okay with this?”
“Yes.”
His expression darkened.
“Good to know.”
Then, almost deliberately, he turned slightly toward Sofia.
“Well, at least someone here knows how to respect boundaries.”
Sofia blinked slightly, surprised by the sudden shift.
But she quickly recovered, sliding her arm lightly through Kennedy’s.
“Maybe this conversation isn’t necessary.”
Antonia’s eyes flickered to the gesture.
Kennedy noticed.
And leaned into it slightly.
“Maybe you’re right.”
Austin caught the subtle move instantly.
Ah.
So that was the game.
Trying to provoke jealousy.
Antonia’s face remained composed, but the slight tightening of her fingers on the stroller handle betrayed her reaction.
Austin stepped forward again.
“If you’re done insulting her, we were actually enjoying our walk.”
Kennedy’s eyes narrowed.
“You think you’re funny?”
“I think you’re overreacting.”
Sofia spoke gently.
“Kennedy, maybe we should go.”
He hesitated.
Still staring at Antonia.
Waiting.
Expecting some kind of reaction.
But Antonia simply met his gaze calmly.
“I hope work goes well today,” she said evenly.
The neutral tone struck him harder than anger would have.
Kennedy’s jaw clenched again.
Then, without another word, he turned sharply and walked away down the path.
Sofia followed after him.
But before leaving, she glanced back briefly.
Her eyes met Austin’s.
A silent exchange passed between them.
The plan was working.
Perfectly.
Back on the path, Antonia exhaled slowly.
“That was… uncomfortable.”
Austin nodded.
“You handled it well.”
She looked at him.
“Did I?”
“Yeah.”
Her gaze drifted toward the direction Kennedy had gone.
Something unsettled lingered inside her chest.
But she pushed it away.
Austin gently nudged the stroller forward again.
“Come on.”
She looked back at him.
“Where?”
“Back to enjoying the fresh air.”
And slowly, they continued down the path.