The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

Chapter 7 Crazy

Helena stopped texting and started calling Antonio's phone

non-stop.

Antonio's phone vibrated like crazy.

The two little ones were vying for attention, lining up to wait for Antonio to give them kisses, hugs, and lift them high up.

Antonio bit back his anger, put the kids down, and stepped aside to take the call.

He was fuming. At first, he shouted so loud that I could hear some of what he said, "Calm down! Know your place! Don't cross the line!"

But as the call went on, his voice dropped to a whisper, and his lips softened into

a gentle curve as he began to coax and calm Helena.

I stood not far away, holding the kids by their hands.

It reminded me of many years ago when he talked to me so patiently and lovingly.

"Mommy, is Daddy going away again?"

"Mommy, does Daddy not want us anymore?"

The word "again" made me realize that kids could be as aware as adults, sometimes even more so. They might notice things before I did.

Chapter 7 Crazy

Looking at their worried and sad faces, I squatted down and hugged them, my nose stinging.

"Your daddy is busy with work. He doesn't want to leave you," I said with a forced smile. "If he has to go later, don't cry or make a fuss, okay? I will stay with you."

At that moment, I felt a lot of emotions.

The kids would not have their daddy around anymore in the years to come.

"Who says I'm leaving?"

Antonio's black shoes showed up right in front of us.

I looked up at him.

from behind him, and it hurt my eyes. I

My eyes got watery.

of shock and worry in Antonio's

knee in panic and asked, "Grace, what's

my eyes. Still kneeling, he smiled

figured out, but I did

stay.

text Helena: "I'm

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

messages Helena sent me, one

shameless! You couldn't keep

used the kids!"

keep him with you for now, but do you really think they

gets to the company tomorrow, I've got many

respond to

I ignored her, the

I first had to drive

mind, Antonio wouldn't get

1. it.

supposed to stab

saying how much he loved me and the kids and how he

looked at him with

something a few times but stopped himself. He looked guilty and finally

I only love

a good life together from now

held me

the middle of the night, Antonio got up, went to the balcony, and called

the night breeze, telling her it was over between

hadn't fallen asleep

together with Helena was a mistake, but it wasn't too late

saw me cry, it felt like the whole world was falling

around, he would lose me for sure. He couldn't bear to lose me, so he had to let go

I

wondered whether to continue with the fake-death plan, but soon, someone else made the

the kids to kindergarten. The kids told us to pick them up in the afternoon, and Antonio

when the kindergarten got out, he didn't

me a WhatsApp

wearing my dress. Her face was all red, and she was