Chapter 120 One Hundred And Twenty
Sofia had imagined many scenarios for when Kennedy confronted her.
Anger.
Suspicion.
Cold accusations.
She had prepared answers for all of them.
But nothing quite compared to the reality of him standing in her doorway now.
Fury rolled off him like heat.
His jaw was tight. His shoulders rigid. His eyes darker than she had ever seen them.
For a brief second, Sofia simply looked at him.
Not with fear.
With fascination.
He had always been attractive when he was angry.
Dangerously so.
“Kennedy,” she said softly, letting a trace of surprise color her voice.
He didn’t return the greeting.
Instead, he stepped forward.
Not enough to invade her space—but enough to make it clear he wasn’t here for pleasantries.
“You want to tell me what the hell you did?”
Straight to the point.
Just like him.
Sofia blinked once.
Then tilted her head slightly.
“What are you talking about?”
His eyes flashed.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend you don’t know.”
She frowned lightly, stepping back to allow him inside.
“If this is about the gossip blog—”
“You’re damn right it’s about the gossip blog.”
His voice echoed slightly in the quiet apartment.
Sofia closed the door behind him slowly.
“You think I did that?” she asked carefully.
“I know you did.”
“That’s a serious accusation.”
Kennedy pulled his phone from his pocket and opened the article.
He held the screen toward her.
“There were photographers there yesterday.”
She glanced at the images as though seeing them for the first time.
Her brows slowly knit together.
“Oh my God.”
The reaction was subtle.
Controlled.
But convincing.
“You’re surprised?” Kennedy asked sharply.
“I… didn’t know anyone was taking pictures.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
She looked back up at him.
“Why wouldn’t you?”
He studied her face closely.
Too closely.
Searching for cracks.
Signs.
Anything that would confirm what his instincts were screaming.
But Sofia had always been good at this.
Very good.
“Kennedy,” she said slowly, “I woke up this morning to the same article you did.”
“That’s convenient.”
“It’s the truth.”
He crossed his arms.
“You chose that restaurant.”
“Yes.”
“You sat where cameras could easily see us.”
“It was by the window,” she said calmly. “I didn’t think that required a security sweep.”
“You touched my hand.”
She gave a small, almost embarrassed smile.
“That was reflex.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Reflex.”
“You looked upset,” she explained quietly. “I was trying to comfort you.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
Her expression softened slightly.
“Why would I sabotage you like this?”
“Because you want us back together.”
The words hung between them.
She didn’t respond immediately.
Instead, she walked slowly toward the kitchen island and set her phone down.
When she turned back, her face carried something new.
Not calculation.
Hurt.
“You think I’d humiliate you publicly?”
Kennedy didn’t answer.
But his silence wasn’t agreement either.
She continued carefully.
“If I wanted you back, Kennedy, I wouldn’t drag your name through a gossip site.”
“You’ve done worse before.”
A small smile touched her lips.
“Not to you.”
He watched her.
Still searching.
Still uncertain.
Sofia took a breath.
“When we had lunch yesterday, I thought it was just two people catching up.”
“That’s not what it looks like.”
“I can see that,” she admitted.
She moved closer now, stopping a few feet away.
“But I didn’t invite photographers.”
“You expect me to believe some random paparazzi just happened to be there?”
“It’s not exactly shocking,” she replied calmly. “You’re a wealthy and known businessman. I’m your former girlfriend. That’s an easy headline.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration flashing across his face.
“That article made it look like we’re back together.”
“I noticed.”
“And Antonia saw it.”
There it was.
The real problem.
Sofia hid the flicker of satisfaction that threatened to rise inside her.
Instead, she lowered her voice.
“She must be upset.”
“She is.”
“And you think I did that on purpose?”
“I think you’re capable of it.”
Her gaze dropped briefly.
When she looked back up, her eyes were softer.
“That hurts, Kennedy.”
He scoffed.
“You’ll survive.”
“Maybe,” she said quietly.
The silence stretched.
Heavy.
Tense.
Sofia stepped closer again.
“Did you tell her the truth?”
His jaw tightened.
“I tried.”
“And she didn’t believe you.”
He didn’t answer.
That was answer enough.
Sofia sighed softly.
“I’m sorry.”
He frowned.
“For what?”
“For making things worse for you.”
“You’re assuming a lot.”
“I can read you.”
He looked away briefly, his frustration building again.
“This whole thing is a mess.”
“Yes,” she agreed quietly.
“And you expect me to believe you had nothing to do with it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m telling you the truth.”
Her voice was steady.
Unwavering.
She held his gaze without blinking.
That was always the key to a good lie.
Confidence.
Kennedy searched her face again.
But there was no proof.
No messages.
No witnesses.
No direct evidence tying her to the photographer.
Just suspicion.
And instinct.
And instinct wasn’t enough.
Finally he exhaled heavily.
“Damn it.”
Sofia didn’t move.
“Look,” she said gently, “if I’d known someone was taking pictures, I would have warned you.”
He paced once across the living room, then stopped.
“This ruined everything.”
Her heart beat faster—but her face stayed calm.
“I didn’t ruin anything.”
“You helped.”
“By having lunch with you?”
“By being… you.”
That made her smile faintly.
“I can’t apologize for existing.”
He shook his head.
“This is exactly why I didn’t want to see you again.”
“And yet here you are.”
He looked at her sharply.
She softened her tone.
“You came because you trust my honesty.”
“Don’t push it.”
“Or because you wanted to hear the truth.”
He studied her for another long moment.
Then finally said quietly—
“Did you set this up?”
One last chance.
One direct question.
Sofia met his eyes.
“No.”
The word came without hesitation.
No wavering.
No guilt.
Just calm certainty.
And after several seconds, Kennedy looked away.
Not convinced.
But not able to prove otherwise either.
“I hate this,” he muttered.
“So do I.”
Another silence fell between them.
Then Sofia spoke gently.
“Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.”
His eyes snapped back to her.
“How?”
“It's obvious neither you or Antonia trust each other…” she said carefully, “…maybe the foundation of your relationship isn’t that strong.”
He didn’t respond.
Because part of him had already wondered the same thing.
Sofia noticed.
And hid her satisfaction well.
“You deserve someone who trusts you,” she added quietly.
Kennedy rubbed his temples.
“This whole situation is exhausting.”
“Then stop fighting it.”
His gaze sharpened.
“What does that mean?”
“It means,” she said calmly, “maybe you should stop chasing someone who keeps pulling away, or having a divided attention.”
The implication hung between them.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Kennedy didn’t respond.
But he didn’t leave either.
And Sofia noticed that.
Very carefully.
With a devilish smirk on her face.