Page 60 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
I pulled it out, my heart sinking, processing what I’d just heard.
Kendra’s name flashed on the screen.
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut.
How could she?
I stared at the screen, unsure what to do. Things suddenly began to make sense. The way she reacted when I introduced her to Eve… Eve’s words about falling into the same things I condemned… it was all meticulously planned from the start, and I’d fallen for it; hook, line, and sinker.
"Antonio?" my father asked cautiously.
I barely registered his voice as I answered the call.
"Kendra?"
"Antonio, I’m so sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I swear, it’s not what it looks like. I can explain—"
I cut her off, my voice shaking.
"Explain what, Kendra?"
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kendra
"Explain what, Kendra?" Antonio's voice was cold, detached.
"Antonio, please listen," I begged, my words rushing out. "I didn't mean for it to happen like this. I didn’t write the whole article—someone must have—"
"Someone?" Antonio interrupted, his voice rising. "Who? Eve? She doesn’t work with ABS Broadcasting, remember?”
“But you were in my home that weekend, and it’s‘your’name on the news! You're just digging yourself deeper, Kendra—stop making excuses!"
"No, Antonio, please," I pleaded. "Hear me out. I was investigating a story, and yes, things got out of hand... but I never intended to hurt you or your family. I hadn’t even turned—"
"Intentions don’t matter now, do they?" Antonio's voice cracked with emotion.
"The damage is done. My father was arrested for something he didn’t do. Did you even bother to hear the full story before running your mouth to the public? Our company’s reputation took a hit—all because of your article."
"It wasn't supposed to be like this." My voice trembled. I couldn’t seem to get the right words out. Seeing the article on the news with my name attached—alongside the recording—had shocked me too. I’d even told Thompson I wasn’t going to turn it in, knowing full well it would cost me my job. "I swear, Antonio, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wasn’t the—"
"Didn’t mean to hurt me?" Antonio echoed, his words laced with pain.
"You destroyed me, Kendra. I thought you were different, but everything between us was a lie. You used me to get to my family, teamed up with the person you know I detest the most. I’ll never forgive you for that."
"Antonio, no! I promise, I—"
"Don’t." His voice was firm, final. "Just stop. I see it all now—the way you avoided talking about your other job, your reaction to Eve... It was all a setup. A well-thought-out plan from the start. I was the idiot to believe love existed. Thanks for bringing me back to reality."
"Antonio, please." My voice was barely a whisper. My head spun, my thoughts crashing in all directions.
“There’s nothing left to say.” His voice was empty. “Don’t ever call this number again. It’s over.”
The line went dead.
"Antonio?" I called softly, as if saying his name could undo the damage.
Only silence answered.
