Chapter 50 Fifty
Outside the conference room, Antonia stood beside Austin near the steps, her arms folded tightly across her chest, shoulders tense.
“That went… better than expected,” Austin said carefully, breaking the silence between them.
Antonia let out a breath that sounded more like a laugh, though there was no humor in it. “If by better you mean emotionally traumatic, then yes. Wonderful.”
Austin turned toward her, concern flickering across his face. “Hey. Talk to me. You’ve been distant since we left the room.”
She hesitated.
The lie sat heavy on her tongue, but the truth was far too dangerous.
“I just didn’t expect it to be so intense,” she said finally. “Corporate environments always do that to me.”
He studied her for a moment, clearly unconvinced, then nodded. “I get it. My mom used to say boardrooms are where souls go to sweat.”
That earned a faint smile from her, fleeting and fragile.
Austin reached for her hand, rubbing his thumb gently against her knuckles. “But hey, we survived. And dinner at the CEO’s house? That’s a good sign.”
Antonia’s stomach dropped.
Dinner.
Priscillia Walton’s house.
Kennedy Walton’s territory.
She forced herself to keep her expression neutral. “Yeah. A… very good sign.”
Austin smiled, energized now. “This job could change everything for me...for us.”
For you, her mind whispered.
She nodded anyway. “I know.”
She was about to suggest they leave when the revolving doors behind them turned again.
Her body reacted before her mind did.
She stiffened.
Her fingers curled instinctively into Austin’s sleeve.
Kennedy Walton stepped outside.
The sunlight caught him sharply, outlining his tall frame, his dark suit, the rigid line of his shoulders. His expression was unreadable, jaw set, eyes distant, as though the conversation with his mother still echoed in his head.
Antonia’s breath hitched.
Austin noticed immediately. He followed her gaze, then straightened politely. “That’s him, right? The CEO’s son.”
She nodded once. “Yes.”
Kennedy descended the steps with measured strides. He hadn’t meant to approach them, at least, not consciously, but his eyes had already locked onto Antonia.
She felt it like a pull.
Like gravity rearranging itself around him.
As he drew closer, he noticed the way she stood too close to Austin, the tension in her posture, the guarded look in her eyes.
Something twisted in his chest.
“Is everything alright?” Kennedy asked casually, stopping a few feet away.
His voice was smooth.
Controlled.
Too controlled.
Austin blinked, surprised by the directness, then smiled. “Yes, sir. Just heading out.”
Antonia nodded quickly. “Yes. Everything’s fine.”
Kennedy’s gaze lingered on her a second longer than necessary.
“Good,” he said.
There was a pause.
Awkward.
Heavy.
Antonia shifted, already preparing to walk away. “We should go. Traffic—”
“Kennedy.”
Priscillia’s voice echoed faintly from inside the building, calling his name.
He didn’t turn.
Instead, his eyes remained on Austin now, studying him in a way that made Antonia’s skin prickle.
“Austin, right?” Kennedy asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you mind if I have a word with you?” Kennedy said calmly.
Antonia’s heart slammed violently against her ribs.
Her head snapped toward him. Why?
Kennedy glanced at her then, something unreadable flickering across his face. “There's something I need to ask you.” he added.
Austin hesitated, instinctively looking to Antonia. “It’s okay,” he said gently. “I’ll be right here.”
She wanted to argue.
To insist.
To refuse.
But the weight of pretending, of politeness, of not wanting to raise suspicion crushed her resolve.
“Fine,” she said tightly.
Kennedy gestured toward the side of the building, a few steps away. Not far. Just enough.
Austin followed.
Antonia remained rooted where she was, arms crossed protectively over her stomach, ears straining despite herself.
Kennedy stopped near a low stone planter. He slipped his hands into his pockets, posture deceptively relaxed.
“Congratulations on the job,” he said.
“Thank you,” Austin replied. “I appreciate the opportunity.”
Kennedy nodded once. Silence stretched.
Then...“Do you know anyone named Ruth Walton?”
The question landed sharply.
Antonia’s breath caught.
Austin blinked. “No,” he said honestly. “I don’t think so.”
Kennedy’s gaze sharpened. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“You look like someone she knew,” Kennedy said slowly. “Someone important.”
Austin frowned slightly. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I have met anyone by the name Ruth.”
Kennedy studied him closely now. The curve of his jaw. His eyes. The structure of his face.
The resemblance was subtle, but undeniable.
He had seen that face before.
In an old photograph, he found recently hidden in a box of Ruth’s belongings he hadn’t touched in years.
“Well, you look a lot like the man I saw in a picture she had.” Kennedy said.
“I am definitely not the man in that picture,” Austin replied.
“And you’re certain,” he pressed, “that the name Ruth Walton means nothing to you?”
Austin shook his head. “I’m sorry. It doesn’t.”
The silence stretched again.
Finally, Kennedy exhaled. “Alright.”
Austin relaxed visibly. “I hope I didn’t offend you.”
“No,” Kennedy replied coolly. “Just curiosity.”
Austin stepped back. “That’s all?”
Antonia watched Kennedy’s face from where she stood, her heart racing.
What was going on?
Why did he think Austin knew his late wife?
Kennedy nodded. “Yeah. Thanks for your time.”
Austin nodded politely and turned to walk back toward Antonia.
Kennedy remained standing there for a moment longer, his gaze distant, troubled.
As Austin rejoined her, Antonia grabbed his hand immediately. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” he said lightly. “Just a strange question.”
Kennedy approached them again. “We’ll see you at dinner,” he said to Austin.
Austin smiled. “Of course.”
Kennedy’s eyes flicked to Antonia one last time.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Something unfinished.
Then he turned and walked back inside the building.
Antonia exhaled shakily once he was gone.
“What was that about?” Austin asked gently.
“There's something I need to tell you,” she said too quickly. Then softer, “Let's get home first.”
Austin squeezed her hand. “Okay. Don't worry, everything is going to be fine.”
She nodded.
But as they walked away, Antonia knew the truth with chilling certainty, everything was far from fine.
Kennedy Walton being in the same city with her was a nightmare she couldn't wait to wake up from.