The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

The drive home was punctuated by the insistent buzz of Antonio's phone messages from Mandy.

She was checking on him and ensuring his safe arrival. I unlocked his phone, intending a polite reply, but a chat with one of his friends stopped me cold. "I told Mandy I'm getting married, and if she doesn't show The phone went dark. My breath hitched.

The proposal, three days ago, made sickening sense now.

No ring, no shared home, just a whispered, "Don't tell our families."

I'd assumed it was guilt over not giving me the wedding I deserved.

The eight-year dream had been a cruel ploy to lure Mandy back. Hope died.

I closed my eyes, repeating the mantra: leave.

Three days until the wedding.

David called, "Finish your tasks before you go."

"Got it." I ended the call.

Antonio, irritated, demanded, "Where are you going?"

"Work," I said, forcing a smile.

He didn't press, settling onto the couch with snacks.

Then, confused, he asked, "Why did you give me honey water?”

I stammered, inventing a reason, "For your stomach."

His face hardened. "Don't pretend you care."

smile. "You're right. It won't happen

was

as if nothing was amiss,

tenderness for Mandy, a

breakfast,

the photos at the university. Our professors

hollow chuckle

had

to see Mandy, who'd posted that morning about being back at our alma

him out, my departure

dress

sports field, Antonio's eyes darted until

abandoned me,

"What's wrong with your

smile. "Nothing. Let's end

Antonio, clutching my dress, as he chatted amiably with

his

saw me, his brow

seemed terrified I'd expose

positioned between us. "You should go home. I need to talk to

I said. "Work to

hadn't expected me to

later," he

bét

tell Mandy,

bridal shop.

to

wher."