The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

But he came at the wrong time.

If I brought him into this world, his life would never be a happy one.

It's better for him to leave now than to suffer with me.

I glanced at my phone, and it was filled with messages and calls from Antonio.

"Grace! Stop pretending, okay? If you're looking for an excuse, at least make it a good one. Stop being so pathetic!

"You're seriously angry over some baby stuff? I haven't even mentioned how the cheap baby products you bought gave the baby a rash! What's there to be upset about?"

Even though I had already let him go in my heart, seeing those messages made my eyes sting with tears again.

This was the man I had loved for so many years.

And in the end, all that was left was exhaustion.

***

On the fifth day in the hospital, I was discharged.

I requested a two-week sick leave and decided to take some time away.

I had the divorce papers drawn up, signed them, packed my things, and moved out of Antonio's place that night.

As I was putting the last suitcase in the car, I heard his voice.

Chateral

"Grace!"

froze for a moment but didn't

closed the car door and

wasn't ready to let me

stormed up to me. grabbed my wrist, and his face

this all about? You're not answering my calls, not responding to my messages! You seriously

want me to come back and apologize, don't you? Well, I'm here now. Are you happy now? Can you stop bothering

my face still carried the pale traces of my exhaustion. I

froze, his hand reaching up to touch my gaunt face, his eyes

flicker of regret.

have you gotten so

pretending." I snapped, pulling

I was cold, unfeeling.

go to work. You

go

stupid? Antonio, do you feel

his eyes full of

for words, but couldn't

staring into his eyes with

Year's Eve. I performed a C-section.

to keep lying to

an

her?"

took a few steps

confused, stunned expression

as I yanked

exposing the dark,

know everything.

I wasted all those years loving you. I