The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

Antonio was distracted throughout the anniversary celebration. He kept

regretting that he hadn't comforted Grace last night. In the afternoon, he came to the school to pick up Grace. Laney told him Grace was working overtime. However, by the time all the teachers had left, there was still no sign of Grace.

"Excuse me, has the English teacher, Grace Parrish, already left?"

When the last teacher walked out, Antonio hurriedly approached and asked.

The teacher thought for a moment and replied, "You mean Ms. Parrish? She resigned yesterday."

Antonio couldn't believe what he'd heard and asked again but received the same answer. Why would she resign suddenly? He called Grace, but the call wouldn't go through. He felt parched, unable to even spe "Laney, is your sister-in-law at home?"

Laney took a moment to process and then realized her brother was asking about Grace.

"You're not married to her. She's not my sister-in-law."

if Grace is at

came through the phone, making Laney tremble.

"She's not home."

must have planned to leave for a while. She had no family, so where could she possibly go? Antonio kicked the tire of his

three years. Antonio felt guilty to her,

to

get home

immediately spotted the keys Grace had left on the table. Without even taking off his shoes, he rushed to her room and pushed open the door. It was pitch dark inside. Antonio fumbled for the fight switch, hoping that when the light came on, he

ring on the bedside table. It was the one Antonio had put on Grace's finger. Underneath the ring

heart like a knife. He had thought he felt nothing more than gratitude toward Grace, but why did his heart ache when

onto the last sliver of hope, he opened

there was nothing left inside. Grace had vanished without a trace as if she had never been there

collapsed to the

l.ne

never known that this girl could be so brave and decisive. Back then, she had asked him to marry her, saying she would take care of his ailing