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

My eyes got watery.

look of shock

panic and

in my eyes. Still kneeling, he smiled and blew the "sand"

what Antonio figured out, but I did

stay.

said "stay" because I saw him text Helena:

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

sent me, one after another, all full

You couldn't keep

used the kids!"

you for now, but

I've got many

didn't respond

I ignored her, the crazier she

ruin her, I first had to drive

mind, Antonio

1. it.

was I supposed to stab him with the

evening. Antonio kept saying how much he loved

looked at him with a

few times but stopped himself. He looked guilty and finally just sighed

I only love you,"

let's live a good

and held me tight for a long

of the night, Antonio got up,

her it was over between

hadn't fallen asleep and heard

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

it felt like the whole world was

a feeling that if they kept messing around, he would lose me for sure. He couldn't bear to lose

I admitted I

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

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

out, he

who sent me a WhatsApp message with a short

video was taken in Antonio's office. Helena was wearing my dress. Her face was