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.

sunset light was shining from behind him, and it hurt my eyes. I

My eyes got watery.

was a look of shock and worry

knee in panic and asked, "Grace, what's wrong? Why

shook my head and said there was some sand in my eyes. Still kneeling, he smiled and blew the "sand" out of

out, but I did get him

stay.

text Helena: "I'm not

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

saw the messages Helena sent me, one after another, all full of

keep Antonio yourself,

used the kids!"

might keep him with you for now, but do you really

gets to the company tomorrow, I've got many ways to make sure he doesn't

didn't respond to

ignored her, the

ruin her, I first had to drive

lose her mind, Antonio wouldn't get dragged

1. it.

to stab him with the knife I had been sharpening for

how much he loved me and

at him with a loving

few times but stopped himself. He looked guilty and

promise, I only love you,"

a good

held me tight for a

got up, went to the

night breeze, telling her it was

hadn't fallen asleep and heard

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

when he saw me cry, it felt

if they kept messing around, he would lose me for sure. He

night, I

fake-death plan,

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

kindergarten got out, he didn't show up, and his phone

me a WhatsApp

office. Helena was wearing my dress. Her face was all red, and she was sweating on