Chapter 125 One Hundred And Twenty Five
Ernest sighed quietly and walked toward her.
“Sofia.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“Ernest.”
He remained standing for a moment before pulling out the chair across from her.
“You said it was urgent.”
“It is.”
He glanced around briefly before sitting down.
“I had to leave work early for this.”
“I appreciate that.”
A waitress passed by and Sofia gestured toward Ernest.
“Coffee?”
He shook his head.
“No. I can’t stay long.”
“That’s fine.”
Her tone remained calm, almost pleasant.
Too pleasant.
Ernest studied her carefully.
Sofia had always had a way of making people uneasy even when she looked completely relaxed.
“So,” he said finally, leaning forward slightly. “What’s so urgent that you had to drag me out here?”
Sofia picked up her espresso cup and took a slow sip before answering.
“Your honesty ruined my life.”
Ernest blinked.
“That’s… quite an opening statement.”
“I’m serious.”
He leaned back slightly.
“You’re talking about the hospital.”
“Yes.”
His jaw tightened.
“You’re still angry about that?”
“You told Kennedy and his mother the truth when you didn’t have to.”
“I absolutely had to.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did,” he said firmly. “My wife was there, I couldn't make her look like a fool.”
Sofia rolled her eyes slightly.
“Kennedy didn’t need to know. I met him after we were done.”
“He deserved to know the truth.”
“The truth destroyed everything.”
Ernest crossed his arms.
“You destroyed everything.”
Sofia’s expression hardened slightly.
“I didn’t ask for a lecture.”
“Well, you’re getting one anyway.”
She leaned back in her chair, studying him.
“You’ve become very self-righteous since you reconciled with you wife.”
“And you’ve learned absolutely nothing.”
The tension between them settled across the table.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Finally Sofia sighed.
“That’s actually not why I asked you here.”
“Good,” Ernest replied dryly. “Because I’m not apologizing.”
She placed her cup down gently.
“I have a problem.”
“You usually do.”
“Priscilla Walton hates me.”
Ernest raised an eyebrow.
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“She can't look past our affair.”
“That’s because you had one with a married man.”
“You.”
“Yes,” he said calmly. “And that’s something I regret every day.”
Sofia’s eyes flashed briefly.
“That’s dramatic.”
“It’s honest.”
She waved the comment away dismissively.
“The point is, Priscilla refuses to accept me now.”
“And you’re shocked?”
“Yes.”
He let out a small laugh.
“That woman values loyalty above everything. What did you think would happen when she found out you were sleeping with a married man?”
Sofia’s voice cooled slightly.
“You make it sound like I was the only one involved.”
“I’m not saying that.”
“But you’re certainly enjoying your moral high ground.”
Ernest rubbed his forehead.
“Sofia, what exactly do you want from me?”
She leaned forward slightly.
“Kennedy.”
He frowned.
“What about him?”
“I want him back.”
Ernest stared at her.
“You’re serious.”
“Very.”
He shook his head slowly.
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s in love with someone else.”
The words landed without hesitation.
Sofia’s expression darkened slightly.
“Antonia.”
“Yes.”
She gave a quiet scoff.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s not.”
“He is only considering her because of their child.”
“That's not true.”
Sofia’s eyes narrowed.
“You sound very confident.”
“Because I’ve seen it.”
“Seen what?”
“The way he looks at her.”
Sofia’s fingers tapped lightly against the table.
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m really not.”
She leaned back again.
“Well then we have a problem.”
Ernest frowned.
“What kind of problem?”
“You’re married to her sister.”
He blinked slowly.
“Yes… I’m aware of that.”
“And families talk.”
“Where are you going with this?”
Sofia smiled slightly.
“I need your help.”
Ernest immediately shook his head.
“No.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask.”
“I don’t need to.”
“Sofia—”
“Just hear me out.”
He sighed.
“Fine.”
She leaned forward again.
“I want you to convince Antonia to let Kennedy go.”
Silence fell across the table.
Ernest stared at her like he hadn’t heard correctly.
“You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
“You want me to sabotage my own sister-in-law’s relationship?”
“It’s not a relationship if she already pushed him away.”
“That’s none of my business.”
“It is now.”
Ernest shook his head again.
“No.”
Sofia’s smile faded slightly.
“Don’t answer so quickly.”
“I don’t need time to think about it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s wrong.”
She gave a small laugh.
“That’s your argument?”
“Yes.”
“That’s very noble of you.”
“It’s also very simple.”
Sofia’s gaze hardened.
“Antonia will eventually take Kennedy back.”
“Maybe.”
“And if she does, I lose him permanently.”
Ernest shrugged slightly.
“Maybe you should find someone who wants you.”
Her eyes sharpened.
“You’re being very unhelpful.”
“I’m being honest.”
She leaned closer.
“I’m asking you to talk to her.”
“And tell her what?”
“That Kennedy isn’t good for her.”
“That would be a lie.”
“Tell her he’s still involved with me.”
“That would also be a lie.”
Sofia’s patience was thinning.
“You could at least try.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not destroying someone else’s life to fix yours.”
Her expression hardened completely now.
“I thought you might say that.”
Ernest leaned back in his chair.
“Then why did you ask?”
Sofia reached calmly into her purse.
And pulled out her phone.
She placed it gently on the table between them.
Ernest frowned slightly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her voice was soft.
“Insurance.”
He didn’t like the sound of that.
“Explain.”
She unlocked the screen and turned it toward him.
A photograph filled the display.
Ernest’s face changed instantly.
The picture was unmistakable.
Him.
And Sofia.
Close.
Intimate.
Far too intimate for a married man.
His stomach dropped.
“You kept those?”
“Of course.”
His voice hardened.
“You told me you deleted them.”
“I lied.”
Ernest’s jaw tightened.
“Sofia…”
She leaned back calmly.
“If you refuse to help me, those pictures will find their way onto the internet.”
His eyes darkened.
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
“That would destroy my marriage.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“That sounds like a you problem.”
Anger flashed across his face.
“You’re blackmailing me.”
“No,” she corrected smoothly. “I’m motivating you.”
“This is insane.”
“Not really.”
Ernest stared at her in disbelief.
“You’re threatening to ruin my life, my marriage.”
“I’m offering you a chance to prevent it.”
Silence fell between them again.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Sofia picked up her espresso cup and took another slow sip.
Her voice was calm when she spoke again.
“All I need you to do… is talk to Antonia.”
Ernest’s hands clenched on the table.
And for the first time since he had walked into the café, he realized just how dangerous Sofia really was.
She had not only trapped him, but has also got him to do her dirty job.