Chapter 190 One Hundred And Ninety

Chapter 190 One Hundred And Ninety
Antonia's scream echoed through the delivery room.
Her fingers were locked tightly around Kennedy's hand.
So tightly that his hand had gone numb long ago.
But he didn't care.
Not one bit.
All he cared about was her.
The baby.
And getting through this nightmare safely.
"One more push, Mrs. Walton!"
The doctor's voice rang through the room.
Antonia cried out in pain.
Exhausted.
Sweating.
Completely drained.
Kennedy brushed damp strands of hair from her forehead.
"You can do this, baby."
His voice trembled.
"You're doing amazing."
Another contraction hit.
Antonia squeezed his hand even harder.
"Kennedy!"
"I'm here."
"I'm right here."
Tears burned his eyes.
Seeing her in so much pain was torture.
If he could trade places with her, he would have done it without hesitation.
The monitors beeped steadily around them.
Nurses moved efficiently.
Doctors exchanged instructions.
Everyone remained focused.
Especially because this pregnancy had been classified as high-risk.
Nobody was taking chances.
"Push!"
Antonia cried out again.
Her entire body shaking with effort.
Then suddenly, a sharp cry filled the room.
A baby's cry.
Strong.
Loud.
Beautiful.
The room instantly fell silent.
Antonia froze.
Kennedy froze.
Then the doctor smiled.
"It's a girl."
For a moment neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
The words simply hung in the air.
It's a girl.
Then Antonia burst into tears.
And so did Kennedy.
A daughter.
They had a daughter.
The doctors quickly examined the newborn while another team continued monitoring Antonia closely.
The complications they had feared hadn't disappeared completely.
But thankfully, everything was under control.
The medical team had acted quickly.
The danger had passed.
Several minutes later, a nurse carefully placed the tiny baby girl into Antonia's arms.
The room seemed to disappear.
Antonia stared down at her daughter.
Perfect.
Tiny.
Beautiful.
The baby had a full head of dark hair.
And the smallest little nose.
Antonia's heart melted instantly.
"Oh my God."
Her voice broke.
"She's beautiful."
Kennedy sat beside her.
Completely speechless.
His daughter.
His little girl.
He gently touched her tiny hand.
A tear escaped down his cheek.
"She's perfect."
Antonia smiled through her tears.
"She really is."
For several moments, neither of them spoke.
They simply stared at their daughter.
Memorizing every detail.
Every tiny feature.
Every little sound she made.
Then eventually Kennedy looked at Antonia.
Really looked at her.
His heart clenched painfully.
Because despite everything, she was still here.
Safe.
Alive.
And he almost lost her.
"Antonia."
She lifted her eyes to his.
Kennedy swallowed hard.
"I owe you an apology."
Her expression softened immediately.
"Kennedy..."
"No."
He shook his head.
"Let me say this."
His voice grew emotional.
"I haven't been the husband you deserved these past few months."
Antonia's eyes filled with tears again.
Kennedy continued.
"I let work consume me."
"I let stress consume me."
"I pushed you away when you needed me most."
He lowered his head briefly.
Ashamed.
"You were carrying our child."
"You were scared."
"And instead of standing beside you..."
His voice cracked.
"I left you alone."
Antonia reached for his hand.
But Kennedy wasn't finished.
"I ignored your fears."
"I ignored your pain."
"And I almost let everything that happened destroy us."
A tear rolled down his cheek.
"I am so sorry."
Antonia squeezed his hand gently.
For several moments she simply stared at him.
Then she smiled softly.
A smile filled with love.
And forgiveness.
"Kennedy."
He looked up.
"I wasn't perfect either."
His brow furrowed.
Antonia shook her head.
"No."
Tears slid down her face.
"I should never have let Daniel get close to me."
Kennedy opened his mouth.
But she continued.
"I was lonely."
"I was emotional."
"But those aren't excuses."
Her voice trembled.
"I hurt you."
"I made you question my loyalty."
"And I'm sorry for that."
Kennedy immediately leaned forward.
Pressing his forehead against hers.
"No."
His voice was soft.
"We both made mistakes."
Antonia smiled sadly.
"But we made it through."
"Together."
Their eyes met.
And suddenly all the pain.
The arguments.
The jealousy.
The misunderstandings.
The betrayals.
The kidnapping.
Everything seemed so far away.
Ttheir family was whole again.
And that's all that mattered.

\---

Hours later...
The room had become significantly more cheerful.
Priscilla had arrived.
Helen and Ernest had arrived.
Their son had arrived and immediately become fascinated with his baby sister.
Everyone wanted to hold her.
Everyone wanted pictures.
Everyone wanted to celebrate.
Then later that afternoon, another visitor arrived.
One nobody expected.
Kennedy looked up.
As Sofia stepped inside.
The room immediately grew quiet.
She stood there holding a beautiful bouquet of white lilies.
For a moment nobody spoke.
Not even Helen.
Sofia looked different somehow.
Almost... humbled.
Her eyes eventually found Antonia.
Then Kennedy.
She walked forward slowly.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
Nobody answered immediately.
Finally Antonia spoke.
"What are you doing here?"
Sofia looked down briefly.
Then offered the bouquet.
"I came to congratulate you."
Antonia accepted the flowers cautiously.
Sofia looked toward the sleeping baby.
A small smile appeared.
"She's beautiful."
Kennedy remained silent.
Watching her carefully.
Sofia noticed.
And sighed.
"I know I don't deserve a warm welcome."
Nobody argued.
Because she was right.
She looked directly at Antonia.
Then Kennedy.
"I'm sorry."
The words surprised everyone.
Sofia swallowed.
"I spent so much time trying to convince myself that what I felt for Kennedy was love."
Her eyes grew emotional.
"But love isn't destroying someone's happiness."
Silence filled the room.
Sofia continued.
"It's not manipulation."
"It's not jealousy."
"It's not revenge."
She shook her head.
"And it's definitely not hurting innocent people."
Antonia stared at her.
Unsure what to say.
Sofia looked toward Kennedy.
"I hurt you."
Then toward Antonia.
"And I hurt you."
Her gaze lowered.
"I hurt a lot of people."
Kennedy remained quiet.
Listening.
Sofia managed a small smile.
"But after everything..."
Her eyes drifted toward the newborn baby.
"...I finally understand something."
"What?" Antonia asked softly.
Sofia looked at them.
At the way Kennedy sat close to Antonia.
At the way his hand remained wrapped around hers.
At the way they both looked at their daughter.
Then she smiled.
A genuine smile.
"The two of you have the strongest love I've ever seen."
Antonia felt tears sting her eyes.
Even Kennedy looked emotional.
Sofia nodded slowly.
"I spent years trying to come between you."
"And every time..."
She laughed softly.
"You somehow found your way back to each other."
Then she took a step back.
"I won't interfere again."
Her voice was firm.
Certain.
Final.
"I promise."
Nobody spoke for several moments.
Then Antonia surprised everyone.
Including herself.
"Thank you."
Sofia blinked.
Clearly not expecting that.
Antonia smiled gently at her.
Emotion flashed briefly across Sofia's face.
Then she nodded.
And quietly turned toward the door.
Just before leaving, she glanced back one last time.
At the family gathered around the hospital bed.
At the newborn baby.
At Kennedy and Antonia.
She felt no jealousy.
Only acceptance.
A chapter of her life had finally ended.
And perhaps...
A new one was about to begin.
As the door closed behind her, Kennedy looked back at his wife.
They had made it.
And nothing was going to tear them apart again.