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!"

for a moment but

car door and tried

Antonio wasn't ready to let

me. grabbed my wrist, and

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

just want me to come back and apologize, don't you? Well, I'm here now. Are you happy now? Can you stop bothering me? I'm busy, I don't have time for your pregnancy moods!" he snapped. I pressed my lips together, calm and

pale traces of my exhaustion.

to touch my gaunt face, his

flicker of regret.

have you

snapped, pulling his hand

I was cold, unfeeling.

didn't go to work.

go

I'm this stupid? Antonio, do you feel proud of tricking me

still, his

fumbled for words, but

staring into his eyes

Eve. I performed a C-section. The patient was

lying to me? That so-called business

an excuse

her?"

took a few steps

stunned expression

as I yanked

the dark, familiar hickeys

everything. You

can't believe I wasted all those years loving you. I really