The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

Sabrina stifled a giggle. "Grace, you're not mad, are you?" she challenged, a glint in her eyes.

I mumbled, pressing my throbbing forehead. "I don't care."

An awkward silence descended.

Sabrina looked down, then, using a nail clipper, began peeling off the sticker, muttering apologies.

The scraping sound grated on my nerves. I put on headphones, but Antonio's gaze, through the rearview mirror, was unwavering.

He then said to Sabrina, "Grace's getting worse. Hospital."

My condition, exacerbated by their relentless torment, had progressed to pneumonia.

Treatment escalated from IVs to inpatient care, but Sabrina refused to stay.

She anxiously checked her phone, seemingly bombarded with messages.

Antonio asked, "Friend's waiting?"

Sabrina shook her head, feigning distress. "My friend wants to see us, but Grace is sick. I can't leave her."

comforted her, whispering assurances, tears streaming down Sabrina's cheeks as if she were the one

My helplessness was crushing

left until the nurse came to change my IV. She called

the strong scent of alcohol

practically intertwined, were kissing in

nurse intervened, pulling them

doctor scoffed, "That man kissing your

I nodded.

He looked you're.

They waltzed in

vel not me in

swovenet

a motel!" :

can't control them, and they mean nothing to me," I said, forcing

recognizing

number. Call me

sending messages promising immediate

unwell.

reached him because he had blocked my