Chapter 132 One Hundred And Thirty Two
The next day, morning sunlight spilled gently across Antonia’s apartment, warming the quiet rooms with soft golden light. The city outside had already awakened, the faint sound of traffic drifted through the slightly open window, mixed with distant voices and the occasional horn.
Inside, the apartment was peaceful.
Antonia stood near the kitchen counter with her baby resting against her shoulder, gently patting his back after feeding him. His small breaths were warm against her neck, his tiny fingers clutching lightly at her blouse.
She swayed slightly from side to side, a habit she had developed in the past few months.
Motherhood had changed her routines completely.
Her days were now filled with feeding schedules, diapers, and trying to steal brief moments of rest when the baby allowed it.
Yet despite the calm atmosphere of the morning, her thoughts weren’t entirely peaceful.
Fragments of the past few days kept resurfacing.
Dinner with Kennedy.
Sofia’s phone calls.
Kennedy leaving afterward.
Ernest’s visit yesterday.
And the unsettling conversation he had initiated.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kennedy and Sofia end up together again.
Antonia had tried to brush the comment aside.
But it had lingered.
Annoyingly persistent.
And what worsened it was that Kennedy had failed to come over yesterday to see his son as he had promised.
He sent a text that he was caught up with work.
She exhaled softly, pushing the thought away as she laid the now-sleepy baby carefully in the crib.
The moment she stepped away, a knock sounded at the door.
Antonia paused.
She wasn’t expecting anyone.
Frowning slightly, she walked to the door and opened it.
Her eyes widened slightly.
“Austin?”
He stood there casually, leaning one shoulder against the doorframe, his usual easy smile already in place.
“Good morning.”
Antonia blinked.
“Austin, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I figured surprises are more exciting.”
She gave a small laugh.
“That depends on the surprise.”
“Well… should I take that as permission to come in?”
Antonia stepped aside.
“I suppose so.”
Austin entered the apartment, glancing around casually, then he turned back toward her.
“How’s the little guy?”
“Sleeping. For now.”
“Ah. The rare peaceful moment.”
Antonia nodded with a small smile.
“You learn to appreciate them.”
Austin settled into the living room chair while Antonia returned to the couch.
For a few minutes, their conversation remained light.
He asked about the baby’s name.
She told him small stories about sleepless nights and parenting mishaps.
Austin listened attentively, occasionally laughing.
“You know,” he said after a while, “you’re handling all this better than most people would.”
Antonia shrugged lightly.
“I don’t really have a choice.”
“Still. It’s impressive.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“Flattery already?”
“I’m just being honest.”
A comfortable silence settled between them briefly.
Then Austin glanced toward the window.
“Have you been outside today?”
Antonia frowned slightly.
“Outside?”
“Yeah.”
She shook her head.
“Not really.”
“When was the last time you went out for a proper walk?”
She thought about it.
“Honestly? I can’t remember.”
Austin raised his eyebrows.
“That’s not healthy.”
She laughed lightly.
“I’ve been busy.”
“With diapers and bottles.”
“That too.”
Austin leaned forward slightly.
“You know what you need?”
“What?”
“Fresh air.”
Antonia smiled faintly.
“That sounds simple.”
“It is.”
He gestured toward the door.
“Let’s go for a walk.”
Her eyebrows lifted in surprise.
“A walk?”
“Just around the neighborhood.”
“I can’t just leave.”
“Why not?”
“The baby.”
“Bring him.”
Antonia hesitated.
“Is that even practical?”
“People walk babies in strollers all the time.”
She looked toward the crib.
Austin continued gently.
“You’ve been inside too long.”
Antonia bit her lip slightly.
He wasn’t wrong.
The apartment had begun to feel a little suffocating lately.
The same walls.
The same routine.
The same thoughts circling her mind.
A simple walk suddenly sounded… tempting.
“Just a short one?” she asked.
Austin smiled.
“Of course.”
She nodded slowly.
“Alright.”
Then she stood.
“Give me a few minutes.”
Austin watched as she disappeared into the bedroom to grab a few things.
He waited until he heard drawers opening and closing.
Then he quickly pulled out his phone.
His expression shifted instantly.
The casual friendliness vanished.
His fingers moved quickly across the screen.
Austin:
"We’re going out."
A moment later he added another message.
"Taking her for a walk near Riverside Park."
Then another.
"Bring your acting skills."
He pressed send.
The message went to Sofia.
Austin slipped the phone back into his pocket just as Antonia returned with the baby in her arms.
She was adjusting the small blanket around him.
“Sorry. He needed another diaper change.”
“No rush.”
She placed the baby gently into the stroller and began fastening the straps.
Austin watched her quietly.
For a moment, something almost genuine crossed his face.
She really did look beautiful.
Not in the polished glamorous way Sofia did.
But in a softer, quieter way.
The kind of beauty that didn’t demand attention.
It simply existed.
“Ready?” she asked.
Austin nodded.
“Lead the way.”
They stepped outside together.
The morning air was cool and refreshing.
Antonia inhaled deeply the moment they stepped onto the sidewalk.
“Oh wow.”
Austin chuckled.
“That reaction says everything.”
“I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
They began walking slowly down the street, the stroller rolling gently ahead of them.
Antonia felt her shoulders relaxing with every step.
“This is nice,” she admitted.
“Told you.”
They walked casually, talking about simple things.
Movies.
Music.
Childhood memories.
Austin kept the conversation easy and light.
Occasionally glancing at her reactions.
She laughed more than he had expected.
The tension he had seen in her during previous meetings seemed softer today.
More relaxed.
Exactly what he wanted.
As they approached the entrance to the park, Antonia slowed slightly.
“It’s beautiful here.”
Austin nodded.
“Wait until we get inside.”
They entered the park path lined with tall trees.
The air felt even fresher here.
Antonia smiled as she pushed the stroller forward.
“I should do this more often.”
“You definitely should.”
Neither of them noticed the dark sedan parked near the opposite entrance.
Inside the car, Sofia lowered her sunglasses slowly.
Her eyes followed them carefully.
A slow, satisfied smile curved across her lips.
Austin’s message had arrived ten minutes earlier.
Perfect timing.
She watched as Antonia and Austin walked deeper into the park.
Talking.
Laughing.
Looking completely comfortable together.
Exactly the image she needed.
Sofia picked up her phone.
Time to set the next part of the plan in motion.