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.

shock

knelt on one knee in panic and

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

figured out, but I

stay.

I saw him text Helena: "I'm not going over

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

the messages Helena sent me, one after another,

You couldn't keep Antonio yourself, so

used the kids!"

you for now, but do you

Once he gets to the company tomorrow, I've got many ways to

didn't respond to

ignored her, the crazier she

first had to drive her

her mind, Antonio wouldn't

1. it.

didn't lose it, how was I supposed to stab him with the

evening. Antonio kept saying how much he loved me and the kids and how

with a loving and indulgent

times but stopped himself.

only love you,"

a good life

and held me tight for a long

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

night breeze, telling her it was over between

asleep and heard

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

it felt like

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

I admitted

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

told us to pick them up in the afternoon,

got out, he didn't show up,

Helena who sent me a WhatsApp

office. Helena was wearing my dress. Her face was all red,