The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

Chapter 225

Ivan, sensing my hesitation, asked cautiously, "Mom, is

Dad really busy with work?"

Unable to lie. I crouched in front of him. "I'll always be here for you, and I'll always love you."

Ivan asked no more questions. Picking up the cake, he said, "Mom, let's make a wish and eat the cake. We don't need to wait for Dad."

I lit the candles and took a photo.

As I was about to post it on Facebook, I saw Molly's update: "A romantic evening with my love."

The accompanying photo showed a table laden with food from a fancy restaurant.

Although their faces weren't visible, I noticed a wedding ring

on the hand in the top right corner.

It was the ring I had chosen for Antonio when we married.

He always wore it on the pinky finger of his left hand, the finger that signified being single.

The irony was crushing.

On Ivan's sixth birthday, Antonio was enjoying a candlelit dinner with his mistress.

The pain and anger I'd been carrying suddenly dissolved into a quiet peace.

I liked Molly's post and put my phone down.

Ivan." I sang, and in the candlelight, Ivan closed his eyes. and made a

is to

Tears streamed down 117

my mouth to stifle

urge to leave

you," I

of us mentioned Antonio again that

felt as though it had always only

retrieved the divorce papers from

AM.

table, a flicker

"Sorry. I forgot."

It was ridiculous.

claiming he hadn't

held out the divorce papers and flipped to the final

I could finish speaking, his

voice, laced

the room. "Mr. Kaufman, I think my power is out. Could you come over and stay with

etched with concern. "Don't worry. I'll be right

up, tossed the papers aside

with this later." before rushing out the

weeks later, after I had completed the

approached me with an exquisitely wrapped

to Ivan for

late.

the gift and unwrapped it-it was

terrified of

five, Antonio had taken him to an amusement