Chapter 106 One Hundred And Six
Morning arrived gently over the city, sunlight pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the twelfth-floor apartment Kennedy had chosen so carefully.
Antonia had been awake since dawn.
Her son lay against her chest, warm and impossibly small, his steady breathing anchoring her thoughts before they could drift too far. She had always been good at adapting. New apartment. New expectations. New versions of herself.
But this—this was different.
This wasn’t a role.
This wasn’t a contract.
This was permanent.
The soft chime of the doorbell startled her from her thoughts.
She checked the time.
Helen.
Right on schedule.
Antonia adjusted the baby gently in her arms and walked to the door. When she opened it, she was met with a familiar, warm smile.
Helen stood there with a bouquet of pale pink peonies and a gift bag hooked over her wrist.
“May I come in?” Helen asked gently, with a soft smile on her face.
Antonia smiled. “Of course.”
Helen stepped inside and paused just beyond the threshold, her gaze drifting slowly around the apartment.
“Well,” she murmured, impressed. “He certainly doesn’t do things halfway.”
Antonia closed the door behind her. “No. He doesn’t.”
Helen turned then, her eyes falling immediately to the baby.
“Good morning, nephew.” She greeted the baby. “May I?”
Antonia nodded carefully and transferred the baby into Helen’s waiting arms.
Helen cradled him with surprising ease, rocking instinctively.
“He looks so much like him,” she whispered.
Antonia’s lips curved faintly. “Everyone says that.”
“And he does.” Helen smiled down at the child. “But I think his eyes are yours.”
They stood in silence for a moment, both women looking down at the tiny life that had changed everything.
Helen finally lifted her gaze to Antonia.
“How are you?” she asked.
It was not a polite question.
It was genuine.
Antonia hesitated.
“I’m… adjusting.”
Helen’s eyes softened knowingly. “That’s diplomatic.”
Antonia exhaled quietly and motioned toward the living area. “Sit. I’ll make tea.”
“You don’t have to play hostess,” Helen protested lightly.
“It makes me feel normal,” Antonia replied.
Helen allowed it.
The two women sat facing one another in the living room, the baby now resting peacefully in a bassinet nearby.
Helen wrapped her hands around her teacup.
“Ernest sends his love,” she began.
Antonia smiled faintly. “How is he?”
Helen gave a small, amused shake of her head. “He's good.”
“How are you both after the whole Sofia saga.”
Helen’s expression changed.
“Ernest has been open to me ever since he confessed about the affair. He still has a lot of work to do to win back my trust, but he is putting in the effort.”
“Effort is keey” Antonia added gently.
“Exactly.”
They both smiled.
“He’s also happy you're back to the city,” Helen added. “But not happier than I am.”
Antonia smiled.
Helen studied her for a moment before answering.
“How is the situation with Kennedy?”
The question settled deeply.
Antonia looked toward the bassinet.
Helen followed her gaze.
"Kennedy had been present since we arrived. Controlled. Careful. But present."
“He’s trying,” Helen said softly.
“I know.”
“He’s terrified.”
Antonia looked back at her. “Of what?”
“Of letting love lead his actions again.”
That struck deeper than Antonia expected.
Helen leaned back slightly.
“You of all people must understand something about Kennedy,” she continued. “He is scared of being vulnerable again.”
Antonia swallowed.
“I’m not here to defend him,” Helen added. “But I am here to tell you that him being so careful and in control of his emotion, proves he still loves you. If he asked you to come here… if he created this space… he intends to stay.”
Intent.
That word mattered.
Antonia hadn’t thought of it that way.
Helen’s voice softened further.
“I believe things would happen as it is meant to, now that you both are living closer to each other.”
Emotion tightened Antonia’s throat.
They sat quietly for a moment before Helen’s expression shifted subtly.
“What about Austin?” she asked.
The name alone altered the air.
Antonia inhaled carefully.
“I didn't let him know before I left.”
Helen’s brows lifted slightly. “Well, you don't owe him anything.”
Antonia nodded. “Austin is my past.”
“And Kennedy?”
Antonia’s voice was almost a whisper.
“Kennedy is the father of my son.”
Helen nodded slowly.
“He makes me feel everything.” Antonia continued.
Helen didn’t look surprised.
“You're still in love with him,” she said gently. “I have a strong conviction that you both would work it out.”
Antonia closed her eyes briefly.
“I hope so,” she murmured.
The baby stirred, letting out a small sigh.
Helen rose and walked to the bassinet, adjusting the blanket gently.
“You have two men standing at very different distances from your heart,” she continued. “One stands at the door. The other has always lived inside.”
Antonia’s chest tightened.
“Austin and I are done,” Antonia said softly.
Helen turned toward her.
“And if he comes and begs for a chance?”
That nearly broke her composure.
Silence stretched again, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.
After a moment, Antonia answered, “I doubt he would.”
Helen walked back to her seat and studied Antonia closely.
“You and Kennedy were built on something unstable at first,” she said gently. “But sometimes the foundation cracks because something real is trying to push through.”
Antonia let that sink in.
“I really hope he gives us a chance,” she said quietly.
Helen didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
Outside, the city continued its steady rhythm.
Inside, something quieter was shifting.
Helen stood after another half hour, smoothing her coat.
“I won’t stay longer,” she said. “You need rest.”
Antonia walked her to the door.
“Helen?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
Helen cupped her cheek gently.
“Whatever happens,” she said softly, “I will always be here for you.”
The door closed gently behind her.
Antonia stood there for a long moment, absorbing everything.
Kennedy.
Austin.
Helen's words of advice.
She walked back toward the living room and looked down at her son.
“My sweet baby,” she whispered softly.
The baby blinked up at her.
"Next time your father visits, tell him we love him."