Chapter 148 One Hundred And Forty Eight
Kennedy didn’t remember the drive.
Not the turns.
Not the traffic lights.
Not even the sound of the engine roaring louder than necessary as his foot pressed harder against the accelerator.
All he could hear—
All he could think about—
Was Sofia’s voice.
“She said yes.”
“He was working with me.”
His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“No,” he muttered under his breath.
But the more he replayed everything in his mind—
The timing.
Austin’s sudden appearance.
His persistence.
The way he had inserted himself into Antonia’s life so seamlessly—
The more the doubt crept in.
And Kennedy hated it.
Because if there was even a chance it was true—
Then Antonia was being played.
Again.
And he had wasted enough time already.
By the time he pulled up in front of Antonia’s apartment building, his heart was pounding hard against his chest.
He didn’t hesitate.
Didn’t call.
Didn’t think.
He stepped out of the car and strode toward the building with purpose.
This couldn’t wait.
Not another second.
\---
Upstairs, inside the apartment, the atmosphere was completely different.
Calm.
Antonia stood near the kitchen, pouring a glass of juice while soft laughter filled the room.
Austin leaned casually against the counter, watching her with a relaxed smile.
“You know,” he said lightly, “you’re starting to look less stressed.”
Antonia glanced at him.
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
She smiled faintly.
“Maybe because I finally decided to stop overthinking everything.”
“That’s a good decision.”
“I hope so.”
He studied her for a moment.
“You made the right choice.”
Her fingers tightened slightly around the glass.
“I’m still figuring things out.”
“Of course.”
“But I meant what I said yesterday.”
Austin’s smile softened.
“I know.”
Antonia looked down briefly, then back at him.
“I’m willing to try.”
That alone made something shift in his expression.
Something victorious.
Something quiet but unmistakable.
“I won’t disappoint you,” he said gently.
She nodded.
“I hope not.”
Before he could respond—
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The sound echoed through the apartment.
Antonia frowned slightly.
“Are you expecting someone?”
Austin asked casually.
She shook her head.
“No.”
The knock came again.
More insistent this time.
Antonia set the glass down slowly.
“I’ll check.”
She walked toward the door, her mind already running through possibilities.
Helen?
Maybe.
But she would have called.
Another knock.
Sharper now.
Antonia reached the door and opened it—
And froze.
“Kennedy?”
He stood there, chest rising and falling slightly, his expression intense, almost urgent.
She blinked in surprise.
“You didn’t call.”
“I needed to see you.”
Her brows furrowed.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
There was something in his voice.
Something serious.
Something that immediately made her uneasy.
“…what’s going on?”
Before he could answer—
Austin’s voice came from behind her.
“Antonia?”
Kennedy’s eyes shifted past her.
And landed on Austin.
Standing inside.
Comfortable.
Like he belonged there.
The air changed instantly.
The tension—
Immediate.
Sharp.
Unavoidable.
Kennedy stepped forward slightly.
“So it’s true.”
Antonia turned, confused.
“What is?”
Austin straightened.
“What are you doing here, Kennedy?”
Kennedy ignored him.
His focus remained on Antonia.
“We need to talk.”
Antonia glanced between both men, her confusion deepening.
“Okay… what is this about?”
Kennedy stepped inside without waiting for permission.
Austin’s jaw tightened.
“Hey—”
But Kennedy didn’t stop.
Didn’t look at him.
Didn’t acknowledge him.
Antonia closed the door slowly, her heart beginning to beat faster.
“Kennedy, you’re starting to worry me.”
He turned to face her fully now.
“I just came from Sofia.”
The name alone shifted something in the room.
Austin’s expression changed—just slightly.
But Antonia caught it.
And that only made her unease grow.
“And?” she asked carefully.
Kennedy’s gaze flickered briefly toward Austin before returning to her.
“She told me everything.”
Antonia frowned.
“Everything about what?”
Kennedy didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he took a step closer.
“About him.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Antonia blinked.
“…Austin?”
“Yes.”
Austin let out a small, almost amused breath.
“Oh, this should be interesting.”
Antonia looked between them.
“What are you talking about?”
Kennedy’s voice hardened.
“He’s been working with Sofia.”
The words dropped like a bomb.
Antonia froze.
“…what?”
Austin laughed.
Actually laughed.
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am,” Kennedy shot back.
Austin shook his head, still smiling.
“Let me guess—Sofia told you that?”
“Yes.”
“And you believed her?”
Kennedy’s eyes darkened.
“She admitted everything.”
Austin’s smile faded slightly.
“Oh, she did?”
“Yes.”
Antonia’s chest tightened.
She looked at Austin.
“Is that true?”
The question hung in the air.
Austin turned to her fully now, his expression calm.
“No.”
The answer came without hesitation.
“Antonia, look at me.”
She did.
“You really think I’d do something like that?”
Her mind raced.
“I don’t know what to think right now.”
“That’s exactly what he wants,” Austin said, glancing briefly at Kennedy. “To confuse you.”
Kennedy scoffed.
“I’m not the one manipulating her.”
Austin’s gaze snapped back to him.
“And you are?”
“At least I’m telling her the truth.”
“The truth?” Austin repeated. “From Sofia? That’s your source?”
“She had no reason to lie.”
Austin laughed again, but this time it was sharper.
“She had every reason to lie.”
Antonia stepped back slightly, overwhelmed.
“Stop—both of you.”
Neither man listened.
“You showed up out of nowhere,” Kennedy continued, his voice rising. “Inserted yourself into her life.”
“Because I care about her.”
“Or because you were sent to.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
Austin stepped closer now.
“You’re really going to stand there and act like you’re the better option?”
“This isn’t about me.”
“No, it’s about control.”
Kennedy’s jaw tightened.
“You don’t get to talk about control.”
“At least I’m honest with her.”
“Honest?” Kennedy scoffed. “You’ve been playing her.”
“I haven’t.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t care what you believe.”
Antonia’s voice cut through them again.
“Enough!”
Both men fell silent.
Her chest was rising and falling rapidly now.
Her head hurt.
Her thoughts tangled.
Nothing made sense anymore.
She looked at Austin.
“Tell me the truth.”
His expression softened immediately.
“I am.”
She turned to Kennedy.
“And you.”
“I’m not lying to you.”
Her hands trembled slightly.
She didn’t know who to believe.
“I can’t do this.”
Both men watched her.
“I can’t stand here and try to figure out who’s telling the truth while you both throw accusations at each other.”
Her voice cracked slightly.
“I just… can’t.”
She stepped back again, putting distance between herself and both of them.
“I need space.”
Kennedy frowned.
“Antonia—”
“No.”
Her tone was firm now.
Stronger.
“Not right now.”
She looked at Austin.
Then back at Kennedy.
“I need both of you to leave.”
Silence.
Neither moved.
Antonia’s voice rose slightly.
“Please.”
Still hesitation.
Then—
“Now.”
That did it.
Austin exhaled slowly.
“Alright.”
He glanced at Kennedy.
“After you.”
Kennedy didn’t move for a moment longer.
His eyes stayed on Antonia.
Searching.
Wanting to say more.
But something in her expression stopped him.
So instead—
He turned.
And walked toward the door.
Austin followed shortly after.
The door opened.
Then closed.
And just like that—
The apartment fell silent again.
Antonia stood in the middle of the room, her mind spinning.
Everything she thought she was beginning to figure out—
Had just been turned upside down.