Chapter 121 One Hundred And Twenty One
Antonia stood near the kitchen counter the next morning, absentmindedly stirring her coffee long after the sugar had dissolved. Her mind refused to settle.
The headline from yesterday still floated in the back of her thoughts like an irritating echo she couldn’t silence.
Kennedy rekindles romance with ex-fiancé.
The images had been everywhere.
Blogs.
Social media.
Comment sections filled with strangers confidently dissecting a life they knew nothing about.
She hated how much it had affected her.
Not because she totally believed the gossip.
But because it stirred doubts she had been trying very hard to bury.
A knock sounded at the door.
Sharp.
Unexpected.
Antonia frowned slightly.
She wasn’t expecting anyone this early.
Her sister Helen usually called before visiting, and Kennedy hadn’t contacted her since yesterday.
For a brief second she wondered if it was him.
Her chest tightened involuntarily.
She set her cup down and walked toward the door, peeking through the small viewing panel.
Her expression changed instantly.
Austin.
She hesitated for a moment before opening the door halfway.
“Austin.”
He stood there with his hands tucked casually into his jacket pockets, though his eyes studied her carefully.
“Morning,” he said.
Antonia didn’t return the greeting.
Instead she leaned lightly against the doorframe.
“What are you doing here?”
Straight to the point.
Austin gave a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Can’t a guy visit an old friend?”
“You didn’t come all this way for nostalgia.”
Her tone was flat.
Direct.
Austin exhaled softly.
“No,” he admitted. “I didn’t.”
Antonia opened the door wider but didn’t step aside immediately.
“You’re blocking the hallway,” she said finally.
He took that as permission and stepped inside.
Her apartment was bright and minimal, with a few toys scattered near the couch where her son had clearly been playing earlier.
She closed the door behind him and walked back toward the kitchen area.
“Coffee?” she asked politely.
“No thanks.”
She poured herself another half cup anyway and leaned against the counter.
Austin studied her for a moment.
She looked composed.
Too composed.
“I saw the pictures,” he said.
There it was.
The real reason he had come.
Antonia didn’t react.
She simply took a sip of coffee.
“So did half the internet.”
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“I’m not.”
Austin tilted his head slightly.
“You’re telling me you’re fine with it?”
Antonia shrugged faintly.
“Fine isn’t the word I’d use.”
“Then what is?”
She set her cup down.
“Expected.”
That caught him off guard.
“Expected?”
“Yes.”
Austin stepped closer.
“You think Kennedy getting back with Sofia is expected?”
“I think Kennedy does whatever Kennedy wants,” she replied calmly.
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
Her gaze met his evenly.
“No.”
Austin watched her carefully.
He had expected anger.
Jealousy.
At least some emotional crack.
But Antonia looked annoyingly calm.
“So you didn’t confront him?” he asked.
She didn’t answer immediately.
Which made Austin lean forward slightly.
“You did, didn’t you?”
Antonia gave a quiet breath.
“That’s between me and Kennedy.”
“So you did talk.”
She ignored that and crossed her arms lightly.
“Is this why you came here?”
Austin hesitated briefly.
Then decided to push further.
“There’s something else,” he said.
Antonia waited.
“I saw them last night.”
Her brows lifted slightly.
“Kennedy and Sofia.”
Silence settled between them.
Austin watched her face closely as he continued.
“They were together again.”
Still no reaction.
“I ran into them outside her building,” he added.
The lie slid easily from his mouth.
“They looked… comfortable.”
Antonia’s eyes narrowed slightly.
But not in the way he expected.
“Why are you telling me this?”
Austin blinked.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Her voice was calm.
Certain.
Austin forced a small laugh.
“I just thought you should know.”
Antonia pushed away from the counter and walked toward the window slowly.
“No, you want me to react.”
“I’m telling you what I saw.”
“No,” she said quietly, looking out at the street below. “You’re trying to get me upset.”
Austin studied her carefully.
“You really don’t care.”
Antonia turned back toward him.
“That’s not what I said.”
“Then what are you saying?”
“I’m saying Kennedy is the father of my son.”
Her words were firm.
Clear.
“And that’s all he is to you?” Austin asked.
“Yes.”
Austin smiled subtly.
“Okay.”
She picked up a toy truck from the floor and placed it back on the shelf.
“My son deserves both parents in his life.”
She looked at him.
“And that's the only reason Kenedy is still involved in my life.”
Austin’s nods in agreement.
“That sounds like maturity.” Then he looked at her, “Antonia, I came all the way here for you.”
Antonia raised an eyebrow.
“From another city,” he added.
“I’m aware of where you came from.”
“Does that mean nothing to you?”
Her expression softened slightly—but not in the way he hoped.
“Austin…”
He stepped closer.
“I never stopped thinking about you.”
She didn’t move.
“Not for a single day,” he continued. “I know things ended badly between us, but that doesn’t change how I feel.”
Antonia sighed quietly.
“You shouldn’t have come.”
“That’s not what I hoped you’d say.”
“I know.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“I wish things happened differently.”
The confession hung heavy in the room.
Antonia looked at him steadily.
“But it didn't.”
Austin ran a hand through his hair.
“I made mistakes.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I regret them.”
“That doesn’t undo them.”
“I came here hoping we could start again.”
Antonia shook her head slowly.
“No.”
Austin’s shoulders stiffened.
“No?”
“No.”
The word landed with finality.
“You’re not even going to consider it?”
“I already did.”
“And?”
“And the answer is still no.”
He stared at her.
“You loved me once.”
“Yes.”
“So what changed?”
Antonia’s eyes darkened slightly.
“You know what changed.”
“I have learnt my lesson.”
“Too late.”
Austin stepped closer again.
“You’re saying you feel nothing now?”
“I’m saying I’ve moved on.”
“With Kennedy?”
“With my life.”
That answer frustrated him even more.
“My son is my priority,” she continued.
Austin sighed.
“I just want a chance.”
“You had one,” she said quietly. “You let it slip away.”
He looked at her for a long moment.
“You still care about him.”
Antonia didn’t answer.
“That’s why you won’t look at me the same way.”
Her voice was calm when she spoke again.
“This conversation is over.”
Austin exhaled slowly.
“You’re really still going to choose him?”
“I’m choosing myself.”
Austin stared at her one last time.
“I am not giving up on you.”
“I doubt I will change my mind.”
The room fell quiet again.
Finally Austin moved toward the door.
But before leaving, he turned back.
“I will stick around…”
Antonia met his gaze calmly.
“Don't hold your breath.”
He studied her for another moment.
Then nodded once.
And walked out.
When the door closed behind him, Antonia leaned lightly against it.
Her calm expression slowly faded.
Because while she had hidden it well—
Austin’s words about Kennedy and Sofia still echoed in her mind.
And no matter how much she tried to ignore them…
The doubt had already begun to settle.