The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

Laney returned five years later, having graduated from university, now a more mature and composed woman. Her first stop was to see Antonio. Antonio, don't you ever get bored. living like this every day?" she asked.

Antonio, standing before her, had long shed the air of a businessman. Dressed in linen clothes, tending to his flowers and reading books, he led a leisurely, carefree life. He hadn't visited Grace in years, though even known that Grace had a knack for business. It seemed that her three years as a teacher had been nothing more than a sacrifice for Laney

and him.

Sometimes, Antonio still thought about her. But those thoughts came less and less, and the memories were fading. By the time he truly let go, het might leave this mountain retreat behind, or maybe he would st life, never able to forget her. Either way, he would be fine.

"It's not as boring as you think. This place is wonderful," he said, his tone steady.

Laney hesitated

for a moment before pulling out her phone. She carefully showed him a few pictures, something she hadn't gotten so excited about in a long time. Antonio took the phone from her without hesitation, intrigued. Before coming to see him, Laney had visited Grace. Over the years abroad, she'd matured and come to understand Grace's struggles, growing up without parents, with no one to rely on. She had come to truly "These are Grace's two adorable children. They're already four years old."

Laney said, her eyes filled with affection.

the money to Laney. When Laney asked Grace if she still hated her, Grace had said she'd alr "Did

out. Grace might not hate her anymore, but

running the business, Antonio had become

had already

thing you could do for someone was to simply wish them well, even if you couldn't have them. .

five, with the two kids acting as flower girls

never attended their parents' wedding, but we

said proudly to the boy beside

more beautiful and handsome than theirs!" the boy responded, puffing out

two children

like Shane, while the boy was steady and

the older brother, a little

younger sister, taking care of her