The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

Chapter 257

The suddenness of my attack on Gina froze the room.

A beat later, they surged forward, pulling me away just as Gina's head was about to smash into the wall.

I landed hard, cheek scraping against the icy tiles.

Their earlier disdain morphed into gleeful violence.

"Damn it. Gina said she'd say sorry, why'd you hit her?" someone snarled, yanking my hair.

"Feral thing, no upbringing."

All eyes turned to Antonio.

He wouldn't fail them.

He approached, his eyes glacial, sending a shiver down my spine.

Before I could react, his kick slammed into my stomach.

Pain exploded, doubling me over, my face paling. I gritted my teeth, refusing to cry out.

He looked down, his voice as cold as

his gaze. "Don't flatter yourself You're nothing.

"You and your brother are just pets."

The sneer was familiar. I used to cower, apologize, and beg for his mercy.

was the man I'd loved

joined his company after college, my insecurity from a difficult past leaving me vulnerable to my colleagues'

been my lifeline then, the one who'd

believing I'd found someone who'd face the world.

to cook his favorite foods,

My brother and I, orphans raised by the

their sole heir. Our relationship was a fantasy I never dared

the stairwell had

secret, but his introduction to his had falsely convinced me

return revealed

He'd

but they'd split. He'd used me to provoke Gina, parading me before his friends, their public displays of affection with Gina a

was

chasm between us was vast,

knew about

were the real

fool, oblivious to

prince-and-pauper fairytale

consumed me. Finally,

done with you, and so

of unease

quickly replaced by coldness. "Fine, but you hurt Gina, insulted my friends, and ruined our party. I want you

was

clutching her head,

saw the

grabbed my wrist. "Last

his gaze, a smirk playing