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."

voice sharp. "No, we're just

fists clenched, nails biting

room shifted uncomfortably, sympathy

first time Antonio had hidden

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

eight years of my life on a hope

plastered on a smile,

I'm Grace

Antonio's.

more beautiful in person.

WContent

fell

it off, grabbing

sat up straight. "You're

these

Antonio had never truly cared about

are you crying?" someone asked,

my cheek, the wetness

Why was I crying?

given my prime years to

tried to correct him countless

he repeatedly chose seafood

excused it as stress and

pulled him to his feet,

Downstairs, Mandy followed.

a sensitive stomach. He can't sleep hungry. Maybe you could make him