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.

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

My eyes got watery.

look of shock and worry in Antonio's

knee in panic and asked,

my eyes. Still kneeling,

what Antonio figured out, but I

stay.

"stay" because I saw him text Helena: "I'm not going over there," and

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

me,

shameless! You couldn't keep Antonio yourself,

used the kids!"

now, but do you really think

gets to the company tomorrow, I've got many ways to make sure

didn't respond

her,

ruin her, I first had to drive

lose her mind, Antonio wouldn't

1. it.

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

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

him with a

few times but stopped himself. He looked guilty and finally

promise, I only

let's live a good life together

held me tight for

got up, went to the balcony, and

her it

asleep and heard

Helena was a mistake,

me cry, it felt like the whole

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

I admitted

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

and I took the kids to kindergarten. The kids told us to pick them up

out, he didn't show

was Helena who sent me a WhatsApp message with a short

office. Helena was wearing my dress. Her