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

My eyes got watery.

shock

knelt on one knee in panic and asked, "Grace, what's wrong? Why are

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

Antonio figured out, but

stay.

saw him text Helena: "I'm not going

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

sent me, one after another, all full

couldn't keep Antonio yourself,

used the kids!"

for now, but do you really think

he gets to the company tomorrow, I've got many ways to make sure he doesn't come back

didn't respond

I ignored her, the crazier she

ruin her, I first had to drive

didn't lose her mind, Antonio wouldn't get

1. it.

if Antonio didn't lose it, how was I supposed to stab him with the knife I had been sharpening

had a happy family evening. Antonio kept saying how much he loved me and the kids and how he wanted to give us the best

at him with a

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

promise, I only

let's live a good life together from now

me, and held

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

breeze, telling her it was over

fallen asleep

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

saw me cry, it felt like

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

I admitted

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

next morning, Antonio and I took the kids to kindergarten. The kids told us to pick them up in

at 4:30 p.m., when the kindergarten got out, he didn't show up, and

it was Helena who sent me a WhatsApp

Helena was wearing my dress.