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.

him, and it hurt my eyes.

My eyes got watery.

shock and worry in

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

was some sand in my eyes. Still kneeling, he smiled and blew

Antonio figured out, but I did get

stay.

text Helena: "I'm

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

Helena sent me, one after another, all full

shameless! You couldn't keep

used the kids!"

but do you really think they

tomorrow, I've

respond

her,

I first had to drive her

her mind, Antonio wouldn't get dragged

1. it.

I supposed to stab him with the knife I had

loved me and the kids and how he wanted to give us the best

at him with a loving and

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

only

a good life

nodded, hugged me, and held me tight for a long

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

telling her

asleep and

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

me cry, it felt like the whole

messing around, he would lose me for sure. He couldn't bear to lose

night, I admitted I

with the fake-death plan, but soon, someone else made the

told

out, he

sent me a WhatsApp message with a

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