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.

shining from behind him, and it hurt my

My eyes got watery.

shock and

one knee in panic and asked,

in my eyes. Still kneeling, he smiled and blew

figured out, but I

stay.

him text Helena: "I'm not

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

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

shameless! You couldn't keep Antonio yourself,

used the kids!"

you for now, but do you really think they can keep

the company tomorrow, I've

didn't respond

more I ignored her, the

ruin her, I first had

her mind, Antonio wouldn't

1. it.

to stab him with the knife I had been sharpening for

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

with a

tried to say something a few times but stopped himself. He looked guilty

promise, I only love

a good life together

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

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

night breeze, telling her it was over

asleep and

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

it felt

he had a feeling that if they kept messing around, he would lose me for

I

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

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

got out, he didn't show up,

sent me a WhatsApp message with a

wearing my dress.