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.

look of shock and

knee in panic and asked,

sand in my eyes. Still kneeling, he

out,

stay.

"stay" because I saw him text

turn off his phone.

Chapter 7 Crazy

also saw the messages Helena sent me, one after another, all

couldn't keep Antonio yourself, so

used the kids!"

kids might keep him with you for now, but

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

respond to

her, the

I first had to drive her

her mind, Antonio

1. it.

it, how was I supposed to stab him with the knife I had been

happy family evening. Antonio kept saying how much he loved me and

with a

times but stopped himself. He looked guilty

I only love you," he

a good life

hugged me, and held me tight for a long

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

the night breeze, telling her it

hadn't fallen asleep and heard

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

cry, it felt like the whole

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

night, I

plan,

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

out,

who sent me a WhatsApp message

Antonio's office. Helena was wearing my dress. Her face was all red, and she was sweating