The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

The door opened, a wry smile playing on my lips, but the room fell silent.

Every eye was on me, a mix of embarrassment and discomfort etched on their faces.

My fiance lay cradled in a woman's arms a woman whose face was intimately familiar from his laptop.

Antonio's friends, unprepared for my sudden arrival, scrambled to pull him away from Mandy.

He, wasted and oblivious, roared, "Back off! Leave me alone!"

I'd ever seen him like this; alcohol was not his vice.

One friend hissed, "Grace's here! Get it together! You're getting married."

The others joined the effort, finally separating Antonio and Mandy.

After a few tense minutes, Antonio plopped onto the couch, his face flushed.

One friend finally exhaled, turning to me.

"This is Mandy, an old high school friend. She's back from Nardoven for the party. Antonio is wasted. Don't take it personally."

A piece of my mind would have been unleashed on Antonio years ago,

Now, I could only manage a strained grin.

"Are you Antonio's friend?" Mandy, assessing me with curious eyes, asked.

Antonio's friend began, "This is Antonio's fiancee."

cut him off, his voice sharp. "No,

clenched, nails

shifted uncomfortably, sympathy heavy in the

wasn't the first time Antonio had

silence, the avoidance at work, the refusal to invite our families - the signs had been

been in denial, gambling eight years of my

plastered on a smile,

I'm Grace

of Antonio's. You look

more beautiful in person.

WContent

room fell

it off,

sat up

these are potato chips.

Antonio had never

are you crying?" someone asked,

the wetness cold

Why was I crying?

prime years to a

tried to correct

he repeatedly chose

excused it

him to his feet,

Downstairs, Mandy followed.

a sensitive stomach. He can't sleep hungry. Maybe you could make him something?" she