Chapter 96 Ninety Six
Antonia had never thought a hospital discharge could feel like both freedom and a sentence.
Lucy stood at her side while the nurse carefully adjusted the blanket around the tiny bundle in her arms. Helen hovered close, protective instinct radiating from her like heat. Ernest waited near the door of the hospital room, keys in hand, unusually quiet.
The baby stirred softly, making a small, fragile sound that instantly tightened Antonia’s hold.
“Careful,” Lucy murmured gently. “You’re still healing.”
“I know,” Antonia whispered.
But she didn’t loosen her grip.
Because this small, warm weight against her chest, was the only thing keeping her from unraveling completely.
The nurse offered a final set of instructions. Follow-up appointments. Medication schedules. Warning signs. Words that blurred together in Antonia’s tired mind.
Her body still ached. Her abdomen felt like it had been stitched together by exhaustion itself. But none of that compared to the hollow space inside her chest where Kennedy’s words echoed on repeat.
There is no together.
You’ll be hearing from my lawyers.
She swallowed hard.
Lucy noticed immediately. “Hey,” she said softly. “One step at a time.”
Antonia nodded faintly.
They moved slowly through the hospital corridor, Helen carrying the small diaper bag, Lucy steadying Antonia at the elbow whenever she swayed.
When they reached the entrance, Ernest hurried ahead to open the car doors.
The drive to the apartment was quiet.
Antonia sat in the back seat with the baby strapped carefully into the car seat beside her. She kept one hand resting on his tiny chest, as if afraid he might disappear if she didn’t.
Helen sat in front, glancing back every few minutes.
Lucy broke the silence first. “He’s sleeping peacefully.”
Antonia managed a small smile. “He looks like him.”
Helen turned slightly. “Like who?”
Antonia didn’t answer immediately.
But they all knew.
Kennedy.
The baby had his nose. The shape of his mouth. Even in rest, there was something unmistakably familiar.
The apartment building came into view, and something inside Antonia twisted.
Lucy and Helen helped her out of the car carefully.
“You shouldn’t be walking too much,” Lucy reminded.
“I’ll be fine,” Antonia murmured.
But her legs trembled anyway.
Inside the apartment, everything looked the same.
And completely different.
Helen quickly moved around, adjusting cushions, clearing space, making sure Antonia could sit comfortably.
Lucy helped her lower herself onto the couch.
Antonia lifted her baby from the car seat and cradled him against her chest.
For a few seconds, there was quiet.
Peaceful quiet.
Then it hit her.
The reality.
The absence.
Her shoulders began to shake.
At first, Lucy thought it was just exhaustion.
But then the tears fell.
And they didn’t stop.
Helen rushed over. “Antonia—”
“I ruined everything,” Antonia sobbed, clutching the baby gently but tightly. “He looked at me like I was a stranger.”
Lucy knelt in front of her. “You just survived childbirth and almost died. Your hormones are crashing. Don’t let your mind spiral.”
“It’s not just hormones,” Antonia cried. “He said he doesn’t trust me. He said lawyers. He said there’s no together.”
Helen sighed softly and sat beside her.
“Listen to me,” Helen said firmly but gently. “Men say a lot of things when they’re hurt.”
“He meant it,” Antonia whispered.
“Maybe he did,” Helen admitted. “But that doesn’t mean it’s permanent.”
Antonia shook her head. “He’ll fight me for custody.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “Fight you? He just wants to be involved.”
“He doesn’t believe I would let him,” Antonia replied brokenly.
Helen reached out and wiped her tears carefully. “If it’s meant to fall into place, it will. If that man loves you the way you think he does, he’ll find his way back.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Antonia asked faintly.
Helen’s jaw tightened slightly. “Then you’ll still have your son. And you’ll be stronger than you think.”
Antonia looked down at her baby.
He blinked sleepily, tiny fingers curling reflexively against her chest.
Her heart cracked all over again.
A sudden knock on the door made all three women jump.
Lucy stood quickly. “Who would that be?”
Helen frowned. “Are you expecting anyone?”
Antonia’s pulse quickened.
Lucy walked cautiously to the door and opened it.
Austin stood on the other side.
He looked tired. Unshaven. His eyes scanned Lucy’s face before shifting past her into the apartment.
“What’s going on?” he demanded. “Why is everyone acting like I don’t exist?”
Lucy stiffened. “Austin—”
“I went to the hospital,” he interrupted. “They told me she was discharged. No one thought to call me? To tell me she had the baby?”
His voice wasn’t loud.
But it carried hurt.
Helen stood immediately.
Antonia’s breathing quickened, but Helen shot her a warning glance.
Don’t move.
Helen walked toward the door before Austin could step inside.
“We’ve had enough stress,” she said firmly, positioning herself between him and the living room. “What do you want?”
Austin looked over her shoulder. “I want to know why I was kept in the dark.”
“You were not kept in the dark,” Helen replied coldly. “You just weren’t informed.”
“That’s the same thing,” he snapped.
“No,” Helen corrected. “It’s not.”
Austin ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I know Antonia and I had differences. But I deserved to know she was in labour. I deserved to know she almost died.”
Lucy crossed her arms. “Deserved?”
“Yes,” Austin shot back. “I care about her.”
Helen’s eyes flashed. “Caring about someone doesn’t entitle you to every moment of their life.”
Austin’s jaw tightened. “Who are you? And where is she?”
“I'm her sister. And she is resting,” Helen replied sharply. “With her child.”
His expression flickered. “So it’s true.”
“Yes,” Helen said flatly. “She gave birth. Both she and the baby are fine.”
Austin swallowed.
“And you didn’t think to tell me?” he asked again, softer now, as he held a gaze with Lucy.
Helen stepped closer, lowering her voice but sharpening it like a blade. “You forfeited certain privileges when you both fell out.”
Austin’s eyes flicked toward the living room again.
Antonia could hear every word.
Her heart pounded.
“I just want to see her,” Austin said quietly.
Helen shook her head. “Not today.”
“I’m not here to fight.”
“No,” Helen agreed. “But your presence alone is enough to raise her blood pressure.”
Lucy nodded. “She needs peace.”
Austin looked between them, frustration warring with restraint.
“I would have been there,” he said. “If someone had called me.”
Helen’s expression softened only slightly. “She didn’t ask for you.”
That hit him.
Hard.
He inhaled slowly.
“So that’s it?” he asked.
“For now,” Helen replied.
Austin stood there for a long moment, then nodded stiffly.
“Tell her I came.”
Helen didn’t respond.
Lucy gently closed the door.
The lock clicked.
Silence filled the apartment again.
Helen turned and walked back toward the living room.
Antonia was crying quietly, though she had tried to stay composed.
Helen sat beside her again.
“He’s gone,” she said softly.
Antonia nodded.
She didn’t know why she was crying now.
Relief.
Exhaustion.
Regret.
Lucy sat on the other side of her.
“You don’t owe anyone explanations right now,” Lucy said firmly. “Your only responsibility is healing. And him.”