Chapter308


    I was back home way ahead of schedule, just in time for the day we remembered my mom.


    On that day, Tyler was already at the hotel lobby, waiting to escort me to my


    mom''s grave.


    We drove to the cemetery entrance, and Tyler and I walked the rest of the way.


    He bought a lot of offerings, as if trying to make up for all the years he was absent.


    My mom''s picture on the headstone still wore that same loving, soft smile.


    With the wind ying with the hem of my dress, I clutched the trophy and talked to my mom like she was right there with me.


    Tyler just stood there, keeping his thoughts to himself.


    When we had to leave, my tears broke through.


    His eyes were bloodshot when he asked, "Grace, no matter what Antonio and I do, are we beyond forgiveness?"


    I wiped my tears, my voice steady. "I can forgive you as long as you stay out of my life for good."


    I would never erase the agony of the past.


    There was no turning back to how things used to be between us.


    The cuts might close, but the marks they left behind were still there.


    I refused to let resentment eat up my life.


    I was done with the grudges, ready to face what was ahead.


    The light in Tyler''s eyes dimmed, and with a twisted smile, he said, "Got it. I''ll make sure Antonio gets the message."


    His voice wavered as he added, "I''ll be moving out of your neighborhood and won''t bother you anymore."


    I nodded. "Okay."


    "Will you be back around here sometime?" asked Tyler.


    "I can''t really say. I haven''t really thought about it," I said.


    In Wigocia, there was no one I missed except for my mom. Whether I was here or not, it didn''t matter much to me now.


    The next morning, at ten sharp, I


    checked out. Down in the lobb


    t belongs to sw


    into Antonio, who looked


    pale.


    He was sitting in a wheelchair. His left cheek was all bandaged up.


    It was Michelle''s doing, not fatal but enough to leave a scar.


    Antonio called out, "Grace."


    He was wearing a jacket over his hospital getup, looking skinny and tired.


    I kept on walking.


    Antonio got someone to wheel him over, cutting me off.


    He said, "Grace, I got something to say. I swear, I''m out of your hair after this."


    I stopped and gave him a nod. "I hope you can keep your word."


    "Tyler had a chat with me yesterday," Antonio said.


    He tried to keep his voice steady. "Grace, will you never give me a chance?"


    "Yep," I said without hesitation. "Honestly, I''d rather we didn''t cross paths again."


    Antonio just gaped at me, and


    after what felt like forever, he managed a wry smile and a


    swent


    He said, "I got it, Grace. I promise that I''ll back off from now on.


    "Before we say goodbye, can I hold you just once more?"


    "No." I shook my head. "Let''s just end it Antonio. I''d prefer


    C, Antonio. I''d prefer i


    wive


    run into each other


    I turned around and walked off.


    It was supposed to be a gentle spring breeze, but it was shaking leaves loose from the trees.


    They spiraled down and hit the ground. When someone stepped on them, they made a soft crunch.


    Nobody noticed and nobody gave a damn.