《The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)》 The Lies He 1 Chapter 1 The Fake Death n Every time my rich husband, Antonio Kaufman, tried a new pose with his secretary, I texted him a number. He once asked me what it meant, and I joked, "I''m keeping score every time you lie to me. "When it hits ten, I''m done with you." I booked a fake death service while sending number nine to him. Soon, the number reached ten. I had a big surprise ready for Antonio. In this world, love wouldn''t happen for no reason. But hate? That was usually because someone did something wrong. "Ms. Parrish, our service isn''t a joke. It''s for real," the boss of the fake death service said with a straight face. "You''ll disappearpletely, no trace online or in real life. You''ll be off the grid." She was a fan of mine, not for my acting, but for my violin ying. "If you''re good with this, please sign here." PAO Chapter 1 The Fake Death Man I nced over the details. The ce was some ind, and the date was in a week-my third wedding anniversary with Antonio. All seemed okay to me. I smiled, picked up the pen, and was about to sign. The boss couldn''t help but remind me again, ¡°Ms. Parrish, please think again. Mr. Kaufman loves you so much. If you disappear like this, it''ll kill him!" Ugh, another one who shipped us! There were tons of people everywhere who thought Antonio and I were the perfect match. I looked up. My eyesnded on therge ad screen of the skyscraper across the street. Through the light rain, the screen was showing our wedding from three years ago, over and over again. The CEO of the country''s biggest intepany, Antonio Kaufman, married a genius violinist, Grace Parrish. I was in a white dress, its hem sprinkled with many blue diamonds, twinkling like a river of stars. I felt like a princess in a fairy tale, walking towards my prince. Antonio stood at the end of the runway. He was smiling softly and looking at me with tears in his eyes. "I remember your wedding cost a fortune, right?" 24.12% Chapter 1 The fake feath Yeah, 40 million dors. And the dress alone was 15 million. Back then, Antonio loved me dearly, and he wanted to give me the best of everything in the world. "Your third anniversary ising up. The wedding video has been ying non- stop for a whole month! He must''ve thrown much money at it. Every year, thetest luxury brands are delivered straight to your home. And if you had your eye on any auction item, Mr. Kaufman would go all out to grab it for you." "Seriously, if I could find a man who loves me this much, I''d be happy to go to my grave!" I felt bitter inside. Yeah, we were supposed to be the happiest couple in the world, but even the deepest love couldn''t stand the test of time and the allure of younger women. I smiled and decisively signed my name on the contract. My phone buzzed with a new friend request. Just like the past few days, the messages kepting, one after another. "Mr. Kaufman was with me the whole afternoon." left you a little mark. Make sure to check it carefullyter." My phone buzzed again. It was Antonio. "Grace, I''m here to get you. Where are you?" Chapter 1 The Fake Death n 2003/Vineberg Downstairs, Antonio got out of his car and opened his umbre. He was tall and wore fancy handmade leather shoes that squished in the puddles. He looked up. I knew he couldn''t see me. From the 41st floor, the city looked like a twinkling sea of lights, and everyone below was as tiny as ants. "No need. Wait for me downstairs. I''ll be right there." My voice sounded happy, like the fake death n I just signed up for was a silly dream. The Lies He 2 Chapter 2 Blooming Bouquet Antonio was a handsome guy. When he walked towards me with a ck umbre, it felt like it was just him and me in the whole world. "Are you cold? Why are you wearing so little?" He frowned, handed me the umbre, then quickly took off his suit jacket and put it around my shoulders, tucking it in at the cor. "Not at all," I smiled. Antonio leaned This book had been added on your bookshelf. S, and started walking towards the Maybach. "What are you smiling at?" His eyes had a smile in them, and his voice was softer than before. My eyes caught the lipstick mark on the cor of his white shirt. That wasn''t my lipstick. But my smile got even bigger. I held onto his neck tighter nd rubbed my nose against his cheek. The smell of Blooming Bouquet was strong. That woman tried really hard. OI Chapter 2 Blooming Bouquet Last time it was scratches on Antonio''s back, where he couldn''t see them. This time it was lipstick and perfume. "I''m so lucky to be married to the hottest and best guy in the world!" I tilted my head, smiling sweetly. "I''m the lucky one. I married a girl I truly love," Antonio said, his eyes deep. The raindrops reflected in them looked like twinkling stars. He pushed me into the back seat of the car and held my hand tight. "Mr. Kaufman, where to?" "Home." Just then, my ph request. This book had been added on your bookshelf. "You don''t have to ept my friend request. You know what? 1 can get Antonio to leave with just one message." I didn''t doubt it. As I looked at my phone, Antonio was looking at his too. On his screen, a GIF of a girl flickered across his screen. She was dressed in a bunny outfit, kneeling on the floor with a banana in her hand. She was just licking it with her tongue, looking dreamy. I used to help her when she was younger. Back then, she had stars in her eyes. She was motivated, got good grades, and wanted to get out of her rural town. Blooming Bouquet Now, all that was left in her eyes was greed. Antonio''s grip on my hand suddenly tightened. His eyes got darker, and his Adam''s apple was bobbing up and down. That was how he showed he was aroused. I knew his body very well. "Grace, I''ve got something urgent to deal with at the office. I need to go back. Just head home. I''ll be back as soon as I''m done." After letting me know, Antonio kissed my forehead and told the driver to pull over. When he got out of the car, he seemed like he couldn''t wait to leave. I grabbed the car seat. "Antonio!" I shouted. Even though I had made up my mind to leave him, something hurt sharply in my chest. "What''s up?" He turned back, trying to hide how anxious he looked, and gave me a gentle look. My eyes felt scratchy, but I smiled and handed him the umbre. "It''s raining hard. Take the umbre with you." For a second, I saw the struggle and frustration in his eyes, but then it got covered up by something else. He took the umbre and got into the car behind. My phone buzzed again. It was another friend request. "I won, didn''t I?" Yeah. I tapped my screen and epted the request. The woman kept gloating and provoking me. "Your husband isn''t going home tonight!" 18 205 chuchers "Who cares if you show off your love everywhere? He belongs to whoever he''s with." "On your third anniversary, I''ll send you another big surprise, okay?" Lignored her, pressed the side button on my phone, and turned off the screen. Her name was Helena Carson. She was one o The Lies He 3 Chapter 3 Young Antonio My parents passed away in a ne crash. Overnight, I became an orphan. My rtives from the Parrish family started fighting over the money, and everyone turned against each other. After the funeral, I took the warm milk my aunt gave me in the car. The next thing I knew, I was waking up on a hotel bed. The bathroom faucet was running loudly. Feeling weak all over, I struggled to get away, but I ended up falling to the floor. A big-bellied, greasy man came out of the bathroom, grabbed me, and threw me onto the bed. "Not everyone gets to have the Parrish family''s girl. I heard you''re still a virgin." As he talked, he took off his bathrobe, showing something gross, and lunged at me. I was terrified out of my wits. There was no way I could fight back. All I felt was total hopelessness. Thankfully, Antonio kicked the door open as the man was about to tear my clothes off. My eyes lit up. Chapter 3 Woung Antonio He beat the man to a pulp. 11 The man ratted out my uncle and aunt. They sold me out for a 1.5-million-dor contract. After that, when Antonio took over the Kaufman Group, the first thing he did was get revenge for me. He was willing to go all-in, even if it meant risk to take control of the Parrish family and give it to me. everything, Later, when someone from the Parrish family came after him with a truck, he wrestled the steering wheel with all his might. In the moment the car flipped, he shielded me with his body. I remember he was bleeding all over, with bits of ss and metal stuck in his back. The first thing he said when he came to was, "How''s Grace?" My memories were jumbled and broken, and the world felt like a big mess. The young man who loved me so much, the one I deeply loved, got lost somewhere in time. Rain was pounding on the window, making a loud noise. My head was throbbing, and the night was dark. I didn''t know how long it had been, but Antonio was sta ding by the door, changing his shoes. He sounded hoarse and looked exhausted. "Grace, why are you sleeping on the couch? 21 521 Chapter 3 Young Antonio "It''s the end of the year, and there''s so much going on at work. I stayed up all night. Don''t wait up for me anymore. Go to bed early, okay?" I didn''t feel like moving. As soon as I tried to, the dampness and chill hit me. "I''ll carry you to bed," Antonio said, rubbing his forehead and squatting down, his voice gentle. The moment he put his arms around me, he freaked out. "Grace, you''re burning up! Why are you so hot? "Hey! Grace is sick! Why didn''t anyone notice? Quick, get the car ready. We''re going to the hospital!" I squinted and looked around, rubbing my temples. "Is it morning already? What took you so long to get home? "I had a dream that you stopped loving me." The vi was in total chaos. Antonio was flustered. He held me tight as he sat me in the car, his forehead pressed against mine, apologizing over and over, telling me not to worry or think too much. I smelled that Blooming Bouquet again. This time it was mixed with a faint, metallic scent. Did he not wash up after sex, or did he deliberately dirty his clothes? This disgusting man was no longer the guy I once knew! 47.57% Chapter 3 Young Antonio "Antonio, you smell weird... Like..." I frowned. Then I gave a bitterugh. "We agreed that if you don''t love me anymore, you have to tell me. "Also, let go of me." I pushed Antonio''s hands away. He got scared and quickly cut me off. "Don''t think nonsense! When you have a cold, your nose doesn''t work right. There''s no weird smell. "The only person I love is you! I''ve liked you since I was 10. In this life and every life after, it''s always going to be you! I promise I won''t workte anymore. Don''t say stuff like that!" I twitched my lips. Really? Antonio stayed in the hospital room with me for two days, taking care of me without even changing his clothes. He had dark circles under his eyes and a scruffy beard. Helena kept calling over and over. Every time, Antonio would hang up the phone impatiently, or he''d frown and step outside to answer it, then came back in with a stern face. 73.25% < Chapter 3 Young Antonio Even though the hallway was quiet and he tried to keep his voice down, I could still catch a few words of what he was saying. "Stop acting up! "I told you. Grace is my line in the sand! If you dare to mess with her, I''ll ruin youpletely!" The Lies He 4 Chapter 4 Kiss Helena was so mad that she kept texting me non-stop. "Grace, don''t think that pretending to be sick will keep Antonio with you! He doesn''t love you anymore!" "You''ve had him all to yourself for years. It''s time to let go!" "How long has it been since hest slept with you? He only loves me now! With me, he''s full of energy!" I never texted Helena back. I just read the messages sometimes and thought they were funny. Helena sure knew why Antonio was into her. She was nothing but a poor substitute for me. The Kaufman Group had nearly a hundred artists, and plenty of them were looking for shortcuts. But Helena was the only one who tried to use me as her shortcut. She joined thepany two years ago andst year, she got involved with Antonio. He kept it so quiet that I only found out this year. Once I knew, I had to dig a little deeper. When Helena first started, she didn''t look like this. She spent a whole year gradually changing her appearance until she looked about halfway like me. With the right makeup and simr clothes, she managed to bear a close resemnce to 0.00% III Chapter 4 Kiss my younger self. That was all it was. She must have read too many substitute stories and actually thought she could rece me! Antonio''s phone rang again. He hung up once, twice, three times... His forehead got more and more wrinkled. I looked at him and asked, "What''s wrong?" He held my hand and exined, "It''s somepany stuff. No big deal. Those guys are useless. They can''t handle a minor issue. Why even have them?" I knew what was going on but didn''t say anything. Antonio seemed distracted. He looked annoyed, but he kept sneaking nces at his phone. Half an hourter, his phone screen lit up with a text. He frowned at it and finally couldn''t stay seated anymore. He said to me apologetically, "I need to go out for a bit. Something came up." "Alright." After Antonio left, my phone screen lit up too. It was a message from Helena, with just one word: "Window." I dragged myself over to the window in my slippers. 32.09% III O< Chapter 4 Kiss From far away, I saw Antonio walking toward Helena. He was in a bad mood and kept roughly pushing away the girl who wanted to hug him until she started crying, tears falling fast. She grabbed onto Antonio''s waist, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him like she didn''t care about anything else. After a bit, he started kissing her back, even harder. The two were locked in an embrace. People around them nced over, but no one stared too long because it was polite not to. Antonio had his back to me, and Helena gave me a victory gesture. I grabbed my phone, opened the camera, and zoomed in. Click, click. Nice! Helena''s face was clear, and her pose went perfectly with her smug smile. Right on cue, a text came in from her. "Your hubby is mine now! (toothy grin.jpg)" I checked myself out of the hospital and went to the Kaufman''s ce. My two kids were there. A few days ago, their grandparents missed them and had them over, so I went to bring them back. 10 Antonio brought Helena back to the vi where he kept her. How did I know? Helena didn''t just dream of marrying Antonio. She also wanted to be a director. She had filmed a bunch of videos and kept sending them to me, asking what I thought. In those videos, she and Antonio were all over each other in the living room, the bathroom, and the bedroom. Ugh, really cringey. They were like dogs in heat in the neighborhood. The Lies He 5 Chapter 5 The Route Helena had a few tricks up her sleeve. With those sneaky moves of hers, she managed to keep Antonio around until evening again. I was leaning against the headboard, telling the kids their bedtime story, when my phone vibrated with a new message. "Mommy, your phone is ringing." My elder son Rory handed me the phone. "It''s not important." I nced at the screen and flipped the phone face-down on the bed. "Let''s keep going with The Little Mermaid. If you were the prince, would you choose the princess from the neighboring kingdom or the mermaid princess?" I chatted with the kids for a while. After they fell asleep, I turned on my phone. It was a selfie from Helena. Antonio was lying in bed, his handsome face rxed in sleep, the nket pulled up to his chest, revealing his shoulders and pecs. There were clear hickeys and scratch marks on his skin. Helena, also topless, was lying on Antonio''s arm, facing the camera, and gave a smug pose. Chapter 5 The oute "Sorry, but I''ve exhausted your hubby again! Do you think he''ll be able to go home tonight?" I turned off my phone in disgust. I walked into the music room, switched on the light, grabbed my violin, and turned on the camera like I always did, then started ying. I usually recorded myself when I practiced so I could go over itter. The piece was called L''Injustice. "You already got around which made you suffer, because the best often only harvest the worst." "When you don''t have the force nor even the desire anymore, and so much cried and so much cursed..." My phone rang. It was my agent from overseas. "Melina, everything you wanted is all set, including the school enrollment for the two boys. I''ll meet you at the airport." "Okay, thank you." I hung up, deleted the part of the video where I took the call, and yed the violin for a bit longer. Four more days. I couldn''t wait to see Antonio''s reaction when he saw this video. That must be very interesting. Chapter 5 The Ro Antonio and I went way back. We didn''t just meet when we were 18. To be exact, he had known me since I was born. Our families were old friends, and Antonio and I even had an unofficial, childhood betrothal thing. His parents had always been nice to me. Today, when I was picking up the kids, his mom Tabitha joked, "How''s it going without the kids around? Is Antonio on cloud nine? Maybe you should leave the kids with us more often." I was kind of stunned before smiling, "Sure, why not." In the middle of the night, Antonio actually came back. I was a light sleeper, so I heard hime in. The mattress dipped when he got on it. He snuggled into bed, wrapped his arms around me from behind, and started pecking my neck. The faint smell of body wash wafted over, and for some reason, it made me feel sick. I wanted to throw up. But I still turned around. I hooked my arm around his neck, called his name in a surt, cooing voice, and snuggled into his chest. "Antonio, my dear..." In the past, when I hinted at this, he''d always get excited. Chapter 5 The Route But now, he was out of energy. He just kissed my forehead and said he was too tired. I smiled softly and furrowed my brows. I rubbed my face against his chest, then suddenly looked up and saw his eyes. They were full of panic. His guilt was all over his face. The Lies He 6 Chapter 6 Happiness Antonio said, "Sorry. I said I wouldn''t workte, but there''s too much to do at thepany." I cupped his face, my fingers gently rubbing the corners of his lips. "It''s okay. Thepanyes first. You''ve had a tough day." He let out a sigh of relief, but then he tensed up again because my hand had slid down his neck and was hovering near the buttons of his pajamas. Ah, this ce... With just a little flick of my fingers, those hickeys and scratches would be exposed. Antonio lowered his eyes, his breathing getting heavier. Just as he let go of my waist and reached for my wrist, I lost interest in teasing him and turned around abruptly. His hand grabbed at nothing. "Sleep now," I I said. Antonio''s hand went back to my waist, slowly tightening its grip. I could feel his chest against my back as he held me closer and closer, like he wanted to melt me into him. "Grace, I love you." 0.00% III 0 < Chapter 6 Happiness I hummed in response, thinking for what felt like the millionth time... Where did that man who would rather be pierced by shards of ss than let anything happen to me go? Sadness came over me, and tears started rolling down my face. The next morning, when Antonio saw the two little ones, was pretty surprised. "Did you bring them back?" "Yeah. They grow up fast. Every day counts." I pushed the milk and sandwiches toward Antonio. "How about we take them to school and pick them up together every day?" Antonio agreed with a smile. This was myst act of kindness and cruelty toward him. Only three days left. But in fact, he only had two days left to be with the kids. he In the car, the kids were excited. They chatted away t Antonio about their time with their grandparents, the story of The Little Mermaid they heardst night, and reminded him to pick them up from school with me in the afternoon. Antonio smiled and nodded. 20.27% Chapter & Happiness When we got to the kindergarten, the kids kissed his cheek. He squatted down, looking like the happiest man in the world. He hooked his arm around my waist and gave me a kiss on the cheek too. "Thank you, honey. The best thing that ever happened to me is marrying you." The sunlight shone on Antonio''s face, and I felt a little sorry for him. "You''re wee," I thought. "After all, your happiness has been ticking down for a long time now, and it''s almost over." In the afternoon, Antonio showed up right on time at the kindergarten gate. We picked up the kids together and then hung out with them at the nearby park. Helena still wouldn''t quit. She even started a live stream, saying she''d dance for whoever tipped the most. She hinted that the dance could be a bit suggestive. Antonio was furious. Without me or the kids knowing, he used a secret ount to tip her over 500 thousand dors, making himself the top tipper. Then he left ament: "Wait till I get home, and dance for me!" Helena giggled to her fans, saying, "This is my boyfriend. He''s possessive!" Her fans went crazy in thements. "Wow, so much love!" "Your boyfriend is so sweet!" "We want III Chapter & Happiness. to see you dance too!" Helena sent me a screenshot of Antonio''sment. She even circled the words "get home" and the username "My Beloved Helena" in bold red. "Do you still think you''re the only one? His ce with me is a home too!" "Alright, I''ll let you off the hook today and let him catch his breath. Tomorrow is the big day, and I''ll stream it for you." For the first time, I replied, thinking hard about what to say: "Antonio is my husband, and I love him dearly. Please leave him alone. Name anything you want, and if I have it, I''ll give it to you!" Helena seemed satisfied. Another round of messages hit me, each one more brazen than thest. "I want your spot as Antonio''s wife. Will you give it to me?" "So what if you''re a violinist? Men are all the same-they''re all about sex. Antonio can''t live without me!" "Grace, you should know your ce and leave Antonio!" I didn''t read the rest of Helena''s messages at the time because I was busy. I smiled and gave Antonio a little piece of cake. "You were good today. Here''s your reward." Antonio took a bite and then pouted and kissed me. "I''m Chapter 6 Happiness always good." 11 I snapped a photo with my phone. The two kids were off in the distance, making it a perfect family of four. I posted it on Instagram. Caption: "The one right here is the one I love." Antonio smiled at my post. He saved the photo and posted it on Instagram too. Caption: "The one I love is the one right here. My one true love." A few minutester, Helena lost it. Chapter 7 Crazy Chapter 7 Crazy The Lies He 7 Chapter 7 Crazy Helena stopped texting and started calling Antonio''s phone non-stop. Antonio''s phone vibrated like crazy. The two little ones were vying for attention, lining up to wait for Antonio to give them kisses, hugs, and lift them high up. Antonio bit back his anger, put the kids down, and stepped aside to take the call. He was fuming. At first, he shouted so loud that I could hear some of what he said, "Calm down! Know your ce! Don''t cross the line!" But as the call went on, his voice dropped to a whisper, and his lips softened into a gentle curve as he began to coax and calm Helena. I stood not far away, holding the kids by their hands. It reminded me of many years ago when he talked to me so patiently and lovingly. "Mommy, is Daddy going away again?" "Mommy, does Daddy not want us anymore?" The word "again" made me realize that kids could be as aware as adults, sometimes even more so. They might notice things before I did. Chapter 7 Crazy Looking at their worried and sad faces, I squatted down and hugged them, my nose stinging. "Your daddy is busy with work. He doesn''t want to leave you," I said with a forced smile. "If he has to goter, don''t cry or make a fuss, okay? I will stay with you." At that moment, I felt a lot of emotions. The kids would not have their daddy around anymore in the years toe. "Who says I''m leaving?" Antonio''s ck shoes showed up right in front of us. I looked up at him. The sunset light was shining from behind him, and it hurt my eyes. I blinked slowly. My eyes got watery. There was a look of shock and worry in Antonio''s eyes. He knelt on one knee in panic and asked, "Grace, what''s wrong? Why are you crying?" I shook my head and said there was some sand in my eyes. Still kneeling, he smiled and blew the "sand" out of my eyes. I didn''t know what Antonio figured out, but I did get him to stay. I said "stay" because I saw him text Helena: "I''m not going over there," and then turn off his phone. Chapter 7 Crazy I also saw the messages Helena sent me, one after another, all full of insults. "How shameless! You couldn''t keep Antonio yourself, so you used the kids!" "The kids might keep him with you for now, but do you really think they can keep him for good?" "Just you wait. Once he gets to thepany tomorrow, I''ve got many ways to make sure he doesn''te back home!" I didn''t respond to Helena. The more I ignored her, the crazier she got. To ruin her, I first had to drive her mad. If she didn''t lose her mind, Antonio wouldn''t get dragged into 1. it. And if Antonio didn''t lose it, how was I supposed to stab him with the knife I had been sharpening for so long? That night, we had a happy family evening. Antonio kept saying how much he loved me and the kids and how he wanted to give us the best of everything. I looked at him with a loving and indulgent smile. He tried to say something a few times but stopped himself. He looked guilty and finally just sighed softly. "I promise, I only love you," he said. "Alright, let''s live a good life together from now on." He nodded, hugged me, and held me tight for a long time. In the middle of the night, Antonio got up, went to the balcony, and called Helena against the night breeze, telling her it was over between them. I hadn''t fallen asleep and heard everything. He said being together with Helena was a mistake, but it wasn''t toote to fix it. He said when he saw me cry, it felt like the whole world was falling apart. He said he had a feeling that if they kept messing around, he would lose me for sure. He couldn''t bear to lose me, so he had to let go of Helena. That night, I admitted I hesitated. I wondered whether to continue with the fake-death n, but soon, someone else made the decision for me. The next morning, Antonio and I took the kids to kindergarten. The kids told us to pick them up in the afternoon, and Antonio said he would. But at 4:30 p.m., when the kindergarten got out, he didn''t show up, and his phone went unanswered. Instead, it was Helena who sent me a WhatsApp message with a short video. The video was taken in Antonio''s office. Helena was wearing my dress. Her face was all red, and she was sweating on her Chapter 7 Crazy forehead and neck. The camera was shaking, and it was obvious what was going on. A familiar voice said, "Stop filming." Then I saw a quick sh of Antonio''s long fingers in the video. The screen went dark, and the video ended. Antonio''s office was on the 32nd floor. I rushed straight up there with the kids. On the first floor, there was a receptionist and security guards. The lobby and elevators were full ofpany employees. At the elevator entrance on the 32nd floor was the office of Antonio''s secretaries. Everyone showed me respect and called me "Mrs. Kaufman." But none of them told Antonio that I was there. Instead, I saw sympathy and anticipation in their eyes. Some even pointed me in the right direction. "Mrs. Kaufman, Mr. Kaufman is in his office with Helena." Antonio didn''t just have Helena as his secretary. The other secretaries ran out. I thought they''d at least try to hold me back and shout, "Mrs. Kaufman is here!" to give Antonio some time. But- Chapter 7 Crazy "Mrs. Kaufman, how about you leave the kids with us in the office? We just got some new toys. "Mr. Kaufman is over there. I''ll take you to him," one secretary said. She stood at the door of Antonio''s office, knocked softly, and said, "Mr. Kaufman, Mrs. Kaufman is here." Then, she handed me the key to the office. Chapter The Thrill Chapter 8 The Thrill The Lies He 8 Chapter 8 The Thrill The office was reeking of body fluids. I recognized the smell. That and the overwhelming perfume made me sick. The couch was wet and was in disarray. A ck bra poked out from the cushions. Antonio was sitting behind his desk. He sat with his back straight. His shirt was slightly wrinkled and his neck flushed red. He was breathing rapidly and looked really ufortable. One of his hands was under the desk and the other hand was clenching his mouse. I bet Antonio didn''t dare to stand up. It was hard to say if he had the time to put on his trousers or put his dick back into his trousers. There were many ces that could hide a person in this office. The closet, the bathroom, the restroom... But Helena would only be hiding in one ce. That was under Antonio''s desk. Because it gave them the thrill. "Grace, what brings you here?" Antonio was nervous. The arm Chapter & The Thril pinning Helena down pressed down a little. "You forgot to pick up the kids." I slowly walked toward Antonio and slowed down my speech rate too. "So, I came over to see if you needed any help." Guilty, Antonio was sweating hard. In this office, nobody could walk up to his desk if he sent the order. But he couldn''t order me. And with two more steps, I''d be able to see what was going on under his desk. Our marriage would be over. "I''m fine. I caught up at work and forgot." Antonio was fidging. He was anxious because I was getting closer and Helena was getting restless under the desk. Antonio''s chest rose and fell more rapidly and he swallowed hard. However, he kept his eyes wide open to remain eye contact with me. He tried so hard to pretend he was working. I chuckled and the tension eased immediately. At the beginning... When I first found out about Antonio''s affair, I felt like my world had copsed. And I thought about taking it up to Antonio and winning him back. But the man was like an animal. Again and again, he failed to resist the temptation. He broke his promise and forgot about his responsibilities, throwing them away for the excitement. I shook my head and smiled. I wasughing at him and myself. He was pretending to still care about me, and I even had second thoughts about my nst night. Finally, my love for him died with a snap. "What''s the smell?" I smiled and turned around to open the window for fresh air. The cold wind blew in the office. The heat in the room died down a little. Antonio''s gaze followed me. "By the way, I''ll see you at the hotel at the anniversary," I said. "Why?" Antonio''s voice was raspy. "Wedding traditions. The couple shouldn''t meet before the wedding." I paused and stared at his desk as if my gaze could prate the wood. I added meaningfully, "Consider it yourst bachelor night. Enjoy!" Instead of taking another step toward Antonio, I turned around and left, closing the door behind me. The secretary stood by the door and looked at me with sympathy. She looked upset. Chapter The Thril "Mrs. Kaufman..." the secretary whispered. I was thinking aboutforting the poor woman when we heard the voices behind the closed door. "Helena, I warned you to be careful! How could you do this? If Grace finds out, I''ll end you!" ¡°Mr. Kaufman, we''ve been together for so long. You honestly believe she doesn''t know? Let''s try something more exciting tomorrow. OK?" That was the end of the conservation. Both the secretary and I stood on the spot. She seemed more upset than me. Antonio''s voice came through the door with the sounds of pping and mming. "You want it? Take it! Take it all!" I titled my head up and stared at the ceiling with wide eyes until my eyes turned red-rimmed and tears welled up. Then, I stormed out. That day, besides Antonio and Helena, everyone in the Kaufman Group knew that I hade over and found the two in the act. And I''d left in angry tears. Everyone saw me leaving the Kaufman Group with. d-rimmed eyes and my children. It was only one day away from our third anniversary. Nobody dared to go to the press with the news. But surely, they sensed the tension. A storm wasing. I went to the airport directly. The n was made and the third anniversary gift was prepared a long time ago. I looked forward to the ceremony. There were many warm-ups in the past month. Many celebrities and reporters were invited and were going to be there. The Lies He 9 Chapter 9 Live Streaming The Kaufman Group was thergest intepany in the country. On Antonio''s 3rd wedding anniversary, the titans of the business world and the business partners were all in attendance. The hosts and performers were all stars and there were countless reporters. Everyone was talking about it online, such as, "They are the best couple ever...¡°, "Perfect romance...", "I wanna fall in love again...¡°, ¡°I wanna have a boyfriend like him...", and "They made me believe in love again...", etc. Antonio, impably dressed, walked out of the bridal lounge with an expression of utter satisfaction. Helena sat atop the dressing table, still panting, with a smile tugged at her lips. Her dress was torn, her make-up was a mess, and the mirror was stained with some ambiguous liquid. She pulled out her phone and recorded a selfie video. She shot the room and thenughed arrogantly. She said, "Grace, do you know where I am now? It''s the bridal lounge and your man just left. I''ve left you a gift here. Juste and check it out. Well, don''t cry when you see it! "By the way, if your kids ask about it, just tell them, that was how they came to this world... Hahaha! 00% 0 Chapter 9 Live Streaming "Recently, he seldom uses condoms, so, I may get pregnant at any time, and you''d better be prepared for that. It''s your 3rd anniversary and also thest one." After she made the video, she sent it. Of course, she sent it to me, but too bad, I wouldn''t be able to receive it, because my phone was not with me. Antonio kept calling me, but no one picked up. He began to panic. In the banquet hall, people dressed up nicely and were toasting each other. Someone adorned with angelic wings entered the hall, carrying an exquisitely crafted box. "Mr. Kaufman, this is a gift from your wife." Antonio smiled, and he looked more rxed now. He took over the box and opened it with joy. The camera followed in real-time, zooming in for a close-up of his distinctly knuckled hands. The box looked elegant and he looked extremely satisfied. Inside the boxy my phone, with a folded letter paper tucked beneath it. The host said with an excited voice, "Mrs. Kaufman must have poured all her love into this letter! Mr. Kaufman, please open it! "And this phone. She must have recorded the sweet moments of your life together in it!" 32.37% Antonio probably thought so too. With a smile, he picked up the phone with one hand and unfolded the letter with the other. This was live globally. The camera zoomed in and everyone could read the words in my letter. Dear Antonio, I''m sorry that I can''te. I left the divorce agreement in the drawer of the nightstand. I''ve signed and it has been there for a long time. However, you never noticed it. I need to go away for a change and will be backter on. So, don''t worry about me. I took Helena to this city. She''s close to me, but I guess you two are even closer. She loves you very much and the two of you make a perfect match. I would not mind if you turned our anniversary party into your engagement party with her. Best wishes to you, Grace. The banquet hall was in utter silence. Not just the people in the presence. Silence fell on everyone watching, whether they were watching from the big screens on the high street or via phones andputers. What was going on? Chapter 9 Live Streaming Did they break up? Wasn''t this a perfect love story? Did he cheat on her? Wasn''t he madly in love with his wife? Who was Helena? Antonio stood frozen in ce, on the verge of copse. At this time, my phone beeped and a message came in. Antonio subconsciously clicked on it. A selfie video popped up on therge screen in the banquet room. It was live-streaming! The Lies He 10 hapter 10 Trending Topics The woman sat at the dressing table, her face flushed, her shoulders exposed, smiling dreamily at the camera. Her lipstick was crushed and smudged, and her mascara had also smudged onto her upper and lower eyelids, clearly indicating that she had just been loved by someone. Words were exploding out of his mouth. The guests couldn''t sit still. "Who was that?" "Why did you send this Purchasepleted ace?" "Isn''t that Helena? Grace sponsored her education, and she repaid Grace by wearing a green hat!" "I used to skip the 7th level in thepany and often y in Antonio''s office!" "Oh my god, where did the white-eyed wolfe from!" III 0 < Helena had bad luck. She did not know that the situation in the banquet hall had developed to this extent. She had just finished dressing up and putting on makeup, feeling proud, she walked out from the backstage corridor. + 14 She was then urately captured by the camera and projected onto the big screen in the banquet hall. Antonio''s eyes turned red, and his chest heaved violently. He gave Helena a fierce re, didn''t let the video continue ying, and swiped his finger across the chat box. Another one not suitable for minors. The background is clearly his office, and the time is yesterday, before I looked for him. Antonio''s face was very dark, and his eyes seemed as if they could kill. Helena trembled for a moment. The dialogue box was still sliding. Because it was mostly Helena provoking, I only responded to that one message, which stood out prominently. Antonio was my husband, and I loved him very much. I beg you to leave him... Whatever you want, just ask. The originally quiet banquet hall finally became noisy. Why did she tell Grace to get lost? Grace is not only the boss of the Parrish Group, but also a nationally renowned violinist! "Oh my goodness, that scene yesterday, turns out that''s what happened!" "What happened yesterday?" "Grace went to thepany to catch the affair yesterday! I 18.90% found it strange at the time because she rarelyes to the office, but yesterday she came in angrily with two children! and left crying. It turns out that Helena sent that kind of video, fearing that Mrs. Kaufman wouldn''t go and catch them. It is reasonable to specte that Mrs. Kaufman saw the scene," "Well, you know, Mr. Kaufman and Helena, thepany knew a lot of people, and no one dared to say anything!" On the live streaming page. I cried to death! My heart ached for Grace; love was too humble. "Helena, go to hell and give me back my fairy-tale love!" Ridiculous, ming the woman for such incidents! Are mem not equally at fault?! The secretary profession, once again, was insulted! Did no one notice? Grace''s startup password was their wedding anniversary, and Antonio was in the bride''s resting room... calling him a dog would be an insult to dogs! Those two were not human at all! They were so mean! I didn''t even know how to curse them! I just cried to death. "I used to talk about ''guarding with my life'' every day whem showing affection, but this is the result... I will never believe in love again!" The incident was so sudden that within just over ten minutes, social media exploded. One hot search term after another. "The president of the Kaufman Group had an affair with his female secretary." "Fairy tale love turned into a joke." "Grace left without saying goodbye." "The female secretary provocatively taunted the original. partner with a bold video." "The secretary industry has once again encountered an avnche." The mainstream media urgently made a statement, without naming names, but every word was saying that marriage is a contract and public figures should restrain their behavior. Speaking of the banquet hall scene Helena was fixed in ce by the gazes of countless people. Antonio brushed through all the conversations between me and Helena, including the message where Helena requested to be friends. His veins bulged on the back of his hand as he gripped the phone tightly. When he looked up at Helena again, a storm raged in his eyes, wishing he could torture and kill the woman. He walked quickly towards Helena, with no media or live streaming in his eyes, and no consideration of the impact this matter would have on thepany. "How many times have I said it! Know your ce! If you dare to cause trouble in front of Grace, I''ll make sure you suffer a 67.824 Cliapter 10 Trending Toples fate worse than death!" With a deep voice, every word filled with vigor, no one doubted that he would act immediately. In fact, he took action and raised his hand to choke Helena on the neck. However, Tabitha was faster than him. His hand had not yet touched Helena when Tabitha pped Antonio directly in the face! The Lies He 11 Chapter 11 Death Snap! It can be seen that Tabitha exerted all her strength. Antonio stumbled and a clear handprint appeared on his face. "Antonio!" Tabitha shouted angrily. "You made the mistake yourself, and yet you have the audacity to me others?" The next second, Tabitha turned back. Grabbing Helena''s chin, he pulled her in front of Antonio, his tone full of disdain. "With such a fake, shameless person, how could you be so infatuated? Even Grace was lost!" "I see you have eaten too many delicacies, and insist on eating dirty things from the sewer!" In the midst of the conversation, Tabitha nced at Helena and smirked. "Take a good look for yourself, her face ispletely copied from Grace, everywhere you look. Ask yourself honestly, who is it that you really like?!" "Why are you still standing here? Don''t you hurry up and bring Grace back?!" 000% III 0 < Chapter 11 ch At the banquet, Tabitha pointed her finger at Antonio''s nose and called him a fool! The live streaming page was filled with apuse. Tabitha is amazing, her values are right! She knows that in such situations, the first thing to do is to dump the scumbag Well done, Tabitha is a good person. "Wasn''t Mr. Kaufman going to chase after him?¡± I wanted to watch "Unable to Chase", let this scumbag stay in hell. Antonio snapped back to his senses and dashed out. Someone shouted, "Mr. Kaufman! Do you know where Mrs. Kaufman is?" Antonio stopped walking. The man sobbed and said, "Mr. Kaufman, it seems like Mrs. Kaufman is gone..." as he handed the phone to Antonio. "Gone? What do you mean by gone?" On the mobile screen was a foreign socialworking site. Several social media ounts, from different perspectives, posted about the same maritime ident scene. The location was a sea area in Coastville, where a speedboat exploded while racing. Chapter 11 Death The video showed only the image of a speedboat swiftly gliding across the sea, when suddenly it exploded. The picture, however, showed me and two children on a speedboat. Oh, it was so miserable! God bless. Oh my god, the yacht is ours! The captain is a beautifuldy from Centronia, with two children. She said she came here to rx and can sail the boat herself. I just checked the registration information, and her name is Grace. Grace! Could it be the one I know? They say she was a genius violinist and took over the family business. The wedding of the century that took ce in Coastville back then! Antonio''s face turned pale in an instant, and he staggered back several steps. "No, it wasn''t her..." "That''s not her in the picture! She just went out to clear her mind, and she will be back soon..." "She was always careful in her actions, let alone with children. on board the ship..." However, things did not go as nned. Social media constantly had updated news. The lifeguard conducted a search and rescue operation on Chapter 11 Death site and confirmed that none of the three people on the boat had survived. The identities have also been confirmed: Grace, a woman from Centronia, and the children Rory Kaufman and Louis. Kaufman. The scene was silent as a tomb. People watching the big screen on the street also fell silent. Even the barrage on the live broadcast page of the celebration paused.... I thought it was just a farce, a love that couldn''t be together, a couple of lovers who became enemies, a white-eyed wolf seducing a scumbag. I didn''t expect it to end in death! The first one to go crazy was Tabitha. She rushed up to Helena, pulling her hair, scratching her face, and pping her ears, and asked her hoarsely, why did she send those things? If she didn''t know how to repay kindness, that''s one thing, but why do it like this?... Helena was equally shocked, scared, and regretful! What she wanted was the identity of Mrs. Kaufman, she wanted social mobility, not being pointed at by everyone as it is now. But soon, Her eyes flickered, shrewdness swept across the depths of her eyes, and her gazended on Antonio. The Lies He 12 Chapter 12 The Puppet Antonio was like a puppet that had suddenly lost its soul. He had one hand propped on the table, allowing Tabitha, who had just finished hitting Helena, to punch and kick him. When she got tired, she would hug him and cry. "Antonio, Grace is gone, Rory and Louis are gone too..." "Why did it happen like this? You clearly loved her so much..." Antonio''s face was covered in tears, and he seemed to have aged ten years, with all his vitality drained away. "It was my fault..." "It was me; I was wrong..." "I had already noticed early in the morning that she was unhappy... She was crying all the time then..." "My mistake! I deserve to die!" Antonio, disregarding everything, pped himself on the face one after another. *** The live broadcast ended here. No matter how crazy thement section got, the live page had already turned ck. I just arrived in Daskiulia from Coastville and got into the car Chapter 12 The Puppet of the agent. All the information regarding my identity has. been changed. Housing, work, and enrollment have also been taken care of. "Thank you, Timothy Vincent." "Are all the things over there already taken care of?" Timothy nced at my phone. "To be honest, I always felt that you giving up the violin and running apany was a waste of talent. But now, you''re doing what you love. As for men, just find another one, no, you can find many.""" When ites to "many", Timothy''s tone is exaggerated. I smiled. Having experienced a passionate and reckless love like Antonio, followed by a betrayal and provocation that could rival a soap opera, how could I have the heart to talk about love again? "It''s not necessary to be in a romantic rtionship, just enjoy life!" Timothy said casually. He was originally a carefree person, and with different cultural differences, he had many friends and lived freely. I put down my phone and turned around to look at the two children in the back seat. They were very excited, leaning against the car window and looking outside, going from one country to another, everything was fresh. Meanwhile, the Kaufman Group experienced its most severe crisis in many years, The stock price fell limit down every day, and the frantic selling was just the surface. What is more important is that the corporate image plummeted. Antonio, who was once synonymous with being a good boyfriend, husband, and father, transformed into the epitome of a scumbag. Helena was stripped more severely, from her birth, her previous boyfriends, her work ability, and the vi she lived in. The Kaufman Group wasrge enough, with deep barriers at every level. Coming to thepany, others worked 996, wishing to live in thepany, fearing beingid off. But when it came to Helena, all she needed was a good sleep. The enormous injustice broke down everyone''s defenses. Can a person be wealthy as long as theyck morals? The paparazzi kepting one after another. Antonio and Helena''s affair, it wasn''t that nobody knew about it before, it''s just that nobody dared to expose it. The present moment arrived, and anyone who had any information on hand went crazy. In the era where traffic was king, whoever broke the most sensational news would have more traffic and catch the Chapter 12 The Puppet overflowing wealth. No public rtions could help the Kaufman Group. Antonio''s previous image was too sessful, but now it has.pletely copsed, as if everything has been destroyed. He is firmly attached to the pir of shame with Helena. Competingpanies of the Kaufman Group seized the opportunity and tried to take advantage of your illness. Not only did they crazily scramble for resources, but they also crazily spread ck materials, such as firing pregnant women and vitingborws with 996. The inte technologypanies were like an earthquake. Antonio was simply overwhelmed. Thepany crisis and my "death" coincided at the same time. Even though he was exhausted and mentally drained, there were countless things that needed his attention every day. And it was precisely like this that he overlooked many details when he handled my follow-up matters in Coastville. What he eventually got were three boxes of ashes. ¦¯¦°¦¯¦´ ¦² There were three stray dogs, and two small ones. 7621% Chapter 13 Ashes Chapter 13 Ashes The Lies He 13 Chapter 13 Ashes On the day of the funeral, it was drizzling. The mainstream media did not live broadcast such events, but they couldn''t resist the fact that as long as it was rted to Antonio, the traffic woulde pouring in. Many paparazzi had found out the location of the cemetery where my ashes were buried and had already started staking it out. I then watched my own funeral. Antonio was truly heartbroken, holding three urns of ashes all by himself, staggering with every step, relying on people on his left and right to support him. The Kaufman family, the Parrish family, and severalpany executives came. Some people were sad, some pretended to be sad, and some were waiting for an opportunity to act. Helena was thetter. She trailed behind, with an expression of immense worry in her eyes, watching Antonio from afar. The paparazzi saw her, just like a cat smelling fish, crazily getting closer to her and taking close-up shots. The headlines were constantly focusing on her and Antonio''s future rtionship. Chapter 13 Ashes "The female secretary was unexpectedly present at Grace''s funeral." "Would the female secretary stay at the Kaufman''s Vi?" "The female secretary and Antonio secretly got married." Thement section was filled with offensivenguage. My newly registered ount, I clicked on many likes, thinking that they were better at cursing than me. Until another person appeared. He was wearing a ck suit, holding an umbre, and apanied by arge group of bodyguards dressed in ck clothes and wearing sunsses. Standing in front of Antonio''s group. Powerful aura. The paparazzi were far away, they could zoom in on the close-ups and long shots, but they couldn''t capture the live sound. So, I could only watch, I couldn''t hear. The leader, who had dropped his umbre, walked quickly towards Antonio and silently punched him in the stomach. Following the second punch, the third punch... Very fast speed. The force was very strong. My mind was filled with the automatic sound of "bang, bang, 21.78% Chapter 13 Ashes. bang." Antonio did not fight back, and he spat blood. The people behind him rushed forward, wanting to retaliate on his behalf, but Antonio waved his hand to stop them. Tabitha''s face was both pained and troubled, with tears streaming down her face as she turned her head away, refusing to look. It was Helena who rushed forward, spreading her arms to block Antonio, and shouted loudly at the man. The man looked at her as if he had seen a dead person. Without any consciousness of "not hitting women" andpletely disregarding the gaze of others, it was just a gesture. A group of bodyguards pinned Helena to the ground and beat her. Thement section was a mixed bag of opinions. Ice: "In broad daylight, taking advantage of their power to bully others! This is illegal!" Fire: "Well done! The reason why these mistresses are bing more and more arrogant is because no one dares to hit them!" I had a lot of surprises. Who is the man?! Due to the angle, I couldn''t see his face clearly. Chapter 13 Ashen However, it was this man, whose identity I didn''t know, that surprised me even more with his next move. He actually stole the ashes! Not only did they steal mine, but they also stole two children''s. Antonio finally fought back in order to protect the ashes. Two men fought like wild beasts in the rain, their fistsnding blow after blow. Antonio was in a very poor state, he was like a trapped animal, constantly being beaten down. However, every time he was on the verge of despair, he would fight back relentlessly and manage to seed. The howl sounded deste, like a lone wolf without its mate, echoing in the graveyard. Two people went from standing, to kneeling, and then to lying down... Covered in wounds, blood and mud were stuck together. Finally, it was Tabitha who spoke up, I don''t know what she said, but she sessfully ced the urn into the grave. Thement section was mostly filled with questions asking, "Who is that?" asionally, someone would say: Where were you before? Why didn''t youe out when Grace was being bullied? What does stealing ashes count for now? Chapter 14 Hell The Lies He 14 Chapter 14 Hell Theedy between me, Antonio, and Helena,sted for half a month and then ended up trending on social media. The Kaufman Group was severely damaged, its reputation. was lost, and many executives left. As for the mysterious ck-d person who made a sudden appearance, the media did not dig into it. Netizens spected: Whether it is high position and power, control over the media, or being extremely wealthy, all of these imply the word "power". The cooperativepany provided me with a six-month after-sales service. Aprehensive and multi-perspective report on Antonio''s unbearable past. He drank heavily every night, and within less than a month, he had two hospitalizations due to stomach bleeding. Crying while holding my photo, pping myself, and picking fights with Helena were daily routines. Nervous breakdown, frequent dreams and insomnia, experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations, often shouting "Grace" or the names of the two children at home. Using a de, I cut my wrist once and identally severed a 000% Chapter 14 Hell vein. I was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. During his hospitalization, he flipped through my phone and once again saw him hugging Helena, with Helena being more. "yeah" than ever. So, Helena was beaten again and forcibly taken to a stic surgery hospital, with only one request: to have all the previously altered areas restored. Helena had bad luck. After being discharged from the hospital, she was sshed with feces by someone, and her wound became severely infected, almost disfiguring her. What''s even worse is that Antonio ignored her. This mistress of Mr. Kaufman, who used to live in a vi and drive a sports car, now has no money at all, even though she made millions from a live broadcast. Treatment in the hospital was in dire straits. "I was really delighted to see Antonio in such agony!" "And then there''s Helena, who used to be so wild, but now she''s living a life worse than a dog! The media thought that after this incident, they would elope, but Antonio treated her like this, wishing for her death!" The girl from the cooperatingpany, who used to envy my marriage greatly, advised me to think twice about at person. Whenever Antonio is mentioned now, it is always. apanied by curses. "Grace, you truly are amazing, just as I expected from my idol!" "I used to think that before you left, you would erase all the traces of your life... But unexpectedly, everything is still here. Antonio sees things and thinks of people every day, unable to move on! He simply can''t move on!" The other party was particrly excited. I humbly said, "Where did you say it so arrogantly? It''s just that I''m not good at saying goodbye." Antonio and I lived in a vi for several years, cherishing every moment of our past life. I didn''t take anything away, nor did I destroy anything. Even deliberately leaving behind a lot. For example, my video, photos of my family of four, and the cake that was not finished on the first night.... That house, everything was there except for me and the children! Whenever Antonioes home, he feels like it''s all a dream, as if we were still here, but he can never find us again... I was not a good person. I wished time turned into a steel knife, fiercely stabbing into the heart of every unfaithful man. "You don''t need to report Antonio''s future actions me anymore." The other person was somewhat surprised, "Why? Didn''t you continue to see him get his retribution?" I said, "It has been half a year, enough, I have let go." Once he was let go, he became an insignificant person. Why waste your time for people who are not important? I was alone with two children, and I had to work, so I was very busy! I hung up the phone and put the violin into its case. This is the backstage of a certain music hall. I just finished a performance. I started from scratch now, starting with small performances, mainly to make money. "Grace..." The voice was very soft and gentle, as if the front was a dream that could be shattered at any moment. I stood still in silence, with my fingers slightly clenched. At first, I didn''t dare to look back. This is a foreign country, and anyone who can call me Melina in this tone knows about my past. They can only be old acquaintances. Chapter 15 The Little Male The Lies He 15 Chapter 15 The Little Mole Soon, I became calm. Over the past half year, I made some minor adjustments to my face to avoid unnecessary trouble. The corners of the eyes and eyebrows moved slightly, and a teardrop mole appeared below the corner of the eye. Applying makeup techniques that focus on different aspects. As long as I didn''t admit it, I wasn''t Grace. The exhibition hall was very quiet. The person behind me stopped in their tracks, their gaze intense, as if they wouldn''t move unless I responded. I couldn''t stand it anymore, feeling like two holes were about to be burned on my back, so I turned around. It was him! It was him! It was actually him! Brenton Murray. The one who had a big fight with Antonio on the day of my burial was him! He was Antonio''s childhood friend and also an old acquaintance of mine. Later, I fell in love with Antonio, who took control of the Murray Group and shifted its business Chapter 15 The Little Mole focus overseas. After that, we had no further contact. Now suddenly seeing it, my heart was shocked, as if struck by thunder. But I quickly adjusted myself and looked at him with a puzzled and bewildered gaze, then walked to the side. "Grace!" His eyes were crimson, mixed with someplex emotions. I turned around and said, "Sir, it seems like you have mistaken me for someone else." Brenton: ¡°I''m sorry, but you really looked too much like my wife.¡± I couldn''t help but twitch at the corner of my eye. What are you talking about? When did I be your wife? I resisted the urge to argue and smiled, "You''re really good at joking, even mistaking your own wife." He shrugged and walked up to me, saying, "Sorry, I guess I missed her too much. Are you Melina? Are you also a violinist?" I originally wanted to find an excuse to leave casually, but he mentioned the violin and said there was a performance at thepany''s annual meeting. Following that, there was a sky-high price, even higher than the usual cost of ten performances. I endured for a while and suggested that he talk to my 25.421 manager. "My wife is also called Melina." Bullshit! "My wife was also a violinist; she was very famous in Centronia and had a great talent for ying the violin." He smiled at me. I had already entered a state of "as if facing a formidable enemy, as if walking on thin ice" when he said "wife". "How coincidental?" I paused for a moment and calmly said, "Sir, this approach to pick-up lines has been outdated for 20 years." "Is that so?" He took out his phone and handed it to me directly. "I didn''t lie to you, take a look at the photo of my wife.""" The phone wallpaper is a photo of me when I was 20 years old. Ah, this... "Your wife and I do look a bit alike," I give myself a perfect score for acting, "but you see, I am older than her, and there is also a mole here." I pointed at the mole with a tear-shaped mark. In the next moment, the soft fingertips pressed against it. I rubbed my birthmark, applying a little bit of pressure. 55 48%. I instinctively stepped back. Brenton immediately apologized, "I''m sorry, I was too impulsive... I missed her so much! We were just talking about the performance, and I''m willing to double the price." Me: "It wasn''t necessary." Brenton: "No problem, I recently invested in a newpany that produces records, and we happen to be looking for a group of musicians to sign. Your style is perfect for us." I no longer postponed; our team had to be famous to a certain extent before being known by another country. I called Timothy toe and join me. Timothy walked quickly. He was deeply impressed by the scene where Brenton beat Antonio, his eyes shining, and he said, Chapter 16 Secret Crush The Lies He 16 Chapter 16 Secret Crush "Wow! Melina, isn''t this..." I was startled, afraid that Timothy would reveal the truth, so I quickly nced over. Timothy understood and said, "So... the most discerning and musically knowledgeable young talent in the whole city, right?" Brenton did not bring his assistant and smiled as he exchanged contact information with Timothy, giving a brief introduction. Timothy quickly searched online, and his eyes lit up in an instant. Brenton was strong in strength, and thepany mainly engaged in capital operations, also investing in some emergingpanies. "If you don''t mind, can we exchange WhatsApp numbers? It would be convenient to send you a sample when I have a new piece. I personally love the violin." Brenton opened WhatsApp, Timothy scanned it, and then signaled me to scan it. I resisted in my heart, but obediently followed the rules of the adult world, smilingly epting Yan''s request to add me as a WhatsApp friend. Timothy treated Brenton like a benefactor, apanying 0001 Chapter 16 Secret Crush him and chatting for a while before seeing him off. I had a headache. Did Brentone? Will Antonio still be far away? They were childhood friends, and there is a high possibility that Brenton would have told Antonio about this, regardless of whether he recognized me or not. I pondered on where to go next. Timothy was excited: "Even more handsome than the day you were buried! I just checked the areas he invested in were extremely diverse, and the key is, he never incurred any losses! He was truly a legend in the investment field!" "If he decided to support you, it would definitely be a world-ss team, and you would be famous worldwide!" I looked at him and said, "I admit that I had talent in ying the violin, but I was still far from being a true master." Timothy shrugged, "So what? Let''s go themercial route! How much money can highbrow art make? We need to blend with fashion and trends!" You were already beautiful, and your talent in ying th violin was stable! It''s not impossible for you to be the violin queen! We don''t need to miss out on making money!" 1:... When he saw that I was not speaking, Timothy stopped joking and sat down next to me, bing my familiar friend again. Chapter 16 Secret Crush To be honest, I thought he wouldn''t betray you. He just didn''t expose you. "Rory and Louis had just adapted to the environment here, if they leave again, where will you go? Pretend to die again? Will he believe it? Or is it ''home is where the heart is''? You don''t care, what about the children?" I was silent. There is a difference between being alone and having a family. I knew Antonio, and after what happenedst time, if he knew I was still alive, he would find me no matter where I am. A new message came in on the phone, sent by Brenton, just one word. "Are you there?" "Sure." The dialogue box disyed "The other party is typing..." I waited for his next sentence, maybe it would be "Grace, stop pretending, I know it''s you," or maybe "Are you okay?" In the end, it fell into silence, and nothing was sent. Until that night, it was the same story. "Are you there?" "Sure." There was nothing else. Charter 16 Secret Crush It seemed as if it was just to confirm, to meet me was not a dream, I did not disappear. I couldn''t fall asleep. Did he actually recognize me? Or was he unsure? The next morning. I and two children were having a meal when the next-door neighbor started moving out. The big truck carried their furniture, and the whole family sang and danced,ughing as they bid us farewell. "Derek, are you leaving?" "Yeah,st night the house was sold, and it was three times the market price! I was really lucky!" "Congrattions, may I ask who bought your house?" "He was a young gentleman from Centronia!" I had an ominous premonition in my heart. From Centronia, a young man, triple the market price! On the evening I first met Brenton. No one would believe it if I said it wasn''t a coincidence. Chapter 17 New Neighbors The Lies He 17 Chapter 17 New Neighbors The new neighbor was an impatient person. In just one day, countless people came and went, moving furniture and files. By the evening, the courtyard had already been renovated. Two tall phoenix trees were nted in the front, and there was arge area of roses in the back. In the middle, an open-air ecological water tank was built, and seeds of unknown nts were scattered around. They even kept a ragdoll cat. I took a photo and sent it to Timothy. I said that I might have to leave, as the neighbor next door was being reced and it felt like it was directed towards me. Timothy told me not to panic and to wait and see. If it were Antonio, he would havee straight to me instead of buying a house to be my neighbor like he is doing now. I "ummed" and the door was knocked at that moment. It turned out to be Brenton. He held a bottle of red wine tied with a ribbon, with a lc. on his face as if it could be written "ident" all over it. "Melina? What a coincidence!" he stepped back, nced at my door, and then looked at his own door. "I just bought a house, never expected it to be next to yours." Chapter 17 New Neighbors Well, if it wasn''t three times the market price, I would have believed it. He handed me the red wine. There was a small cart standing next to it, inside of which was the same red wine. It seemed like it was meant to be delivered to the neighbors. I took the red wine, exchanged a few polite words, and made a couple of sarcastic remarks. "You said you had a wife, right? Where is your wife?" "Oh, ran away with someone." I... How could you speak out this kind of lie? Two children ran out of the bedroom, and my heart tightened. Whether it was my previous Instagram or Antonio''s Instagram, we both posted some pictures of children, and Brenton must have seen them. But his reaction was as if he had never seen it before. He squatted down to perform magic tricks for the children, those simple ones where he would grab a handful of air and turn it into a candy or a flower. The children ate candies, and they were so surprised that they begged him to y a little longer. "Be good, Brenton has something to do, let''s not disturb him." I nced at the small car of red wine, meaning that you 28 70% Chapter 17 New Neighbors should hurry up and deliver your wine. "It''s okay, I really like children. When I see them, it''s like seeing my own kids!" Brenton said, smiling as he ruffled the two little heads. "I''ll go and take care of something first, and I''lle backter to perform a special magic trick for you." as The children heard the words "ace" and immediately cheered and jumped with joy. When I heard e backter," I instantly felt overwhelmed. Brenton, your house is next door! What''s your response? Brenton quickly returned and performed several more magic tricks for the children, making themugh out loud. They made ns to y together again the next day and Brenton said, "I hope you can turn into a little white rabbit." I immediately widened my eyes. "Mr. Murray, don''t you work?" "I was the boss, it didn''t matter if I asionally took a day off," he paused for a moment, "Isn''t the focus now on how to conjure up little rabbits?" That day, thest words Brenton said to me before leaving were, "Settle down and take it easy!" There was no piercing of my identity, nor were there any conditions. The light emitted a rainbow-like glow in the darkness of the night, and the moth flew towards the light bulb without hesitation. 5619% 12uchers In the middle of the night, my phone suddenly rang, startling me in the silence. The domestic partner called me, and I thought something had happened, so I hurriedly answered the call. "Grace, Grace, it seems like someone was helping us!" "Before the Coastville maritime disaster, there were some lingering loose ends that have already been cleaned up by someone!" It was him; it could only be him! Brenton. Not only did he not disclose the information of my faked death, but he also helped me cover it up. The Lies He 18 Chapter 18 Confession Knowing Brenton''s position, I felt much more rxed. Interacting with him, I gradually returned to the mode of old friends. The two children liked him very much. Magic, Rubik''s Cube, even homework... Once I couldn''t do it, I would shout loudly, "Brenton! Brenton! Help me take a look!" I would asionally correct their way of addressing him: "You should call him Uncle Brenton." Song Shen said it''s okay, calling like this is friendly. He never made it clear that I was Grace, as if me and my children were just new friends he had met and got along with while he was abroad. My yard was a yground, with many toys on it, such as seesaws and toy cars, mainly for children to y with. Brenton''s yard was mainly filled with green nts, whether it was phoenix trees, roses, or fish tanks with small fish, all of which I liked. At first nce, it looked like a desert and an oasis. When the children were ying in the sandpit, he liked to invite me over for a cup of coffee. The sunlight poured down from above, making people feel that time was peaceful. Chapter 18 Confession Later, we dismantled the fence. The ce where I yed the piano, apart from my music. room, was his yard. "Do you like it?" As the song ended, Brenton''s voice came from behind. I was startled, and my face, neck, and ears became hot. He ced the coffee on the table next to him, as if he hadn''t noticed my flushed cheeks. He sat on the wicker chair, elegantly crossing his legs, and watched the two children ying in the yard next to us. "I really liked it," he said, his gaze distant, as if his eyes were fixed on a child or a handful of sand in a child''s hand, and he continued speaking to himself like that. "I had thought about this kind of life many years ago, leisurely afternoons, a yard filled with roses,zy little cats, children ying freely, and beside them..." He paused for a moment, his gaze turned towards me, with deep emotions. "Beloved girl." I suddenly panicked and became confused... filled Could I pretend that I didn''t hear this sudden confession? Sure! I pointed my bow and pen at the ragdoll cat. Chapter 18 Confession "How popr is your cat here? What do other people call him? Don''t you have any idea?" "Tiger! Tiger! Who hasn''t been bullied by it as a pet around here? How many people have been looking for you during this time, why don''t you tell us?" Not only did I look for him, but I also apologized for him andpensated for him many times with my two children. Brenton looked at me and smiled, his gaze soft as if it was about to melt. I suddenly felt ufortable again. Fortunately, he quickly averted his gaze. Fortunately, the ragdoll cat suddenly pped and jumped to the side of therge water tank, sshing water with a bang, startling the fish to leap with the water. I thought for a moment and put the bow on the string. I yed the song "Sunlight". Your eyes were filled with time. Behind you, stories were woven. In this life, I counted the passing years like a dreame true. "Writing together with you, witnessing the changes or the sea and thend..." The yful ragdoll cat, with its legs crossed, watched the children''s Brenton who was building sandcastles. 11 288 Vouchers The tall phoenix tree soared into the sky, and the blooming pink roses resembled the clouds on the horizon. There were two cups of coffee on the table, one was his and one was mine. This was my fleeting light, my passing years. The children liked Brenton, not only liked ying with him, but also repeatedly brought Brenton into our lives. Pleasee to our house for dinner, Brenton, and witness my not-so-great cooking skills. I urged Brenton to show off his culinary skills. So, Brenton often wore an apron and cooked for us. Please ask Brenton to hold a parent meeting for them and tell the other students that he is their father! Please Brenton, tell them a bedtime story, kiss them goodnight... "Sorry, the two children were too clingy!" I stood in the hallway, apologizing to Brenton for the Nth time and also expressing my gratitude. He lowered his gaze and looked at me. The dim light, ambiguous atmosphere, and silence all around. "It''s okay." He spoke softly, but his fingertips traced along my wrist, sping my palm, intertwining our fingers. 72.07% Chapter 18 Confession This was the first time he had been so proactive, and I couldn''t help but take a step back, my heart pounding. He took a step forward and trapped me between him and the wall. Chapter 19 Absurdity The Lies He 19 Chapter 19 Absurdity "It''s been so long; do you think I''m easy to talk to? Hmm?" He hung his head, his hot breath rushing towards me, his voice bing hoarse. My other hand was also grabbed by him, and somehow it turned into both hands being pressed against the wall above, with a shameful look of submission. I knew that he was the leader of the Murray family, and I knew that at the age of 18, he saved the Murray family''s property from destruction. Afterward, he used ruthless methods to regain control of the entire Murray family and took the position of the leader. He went abroad to study when he was 19 years old and gradually transferred the Murray family''s business overseas. From that year on, I gradually lost contact with him. Outsiders said the Murray Group was an autocracy, they said itcked human touch, they said it showed no regard for personal rtionships in its capital operations, they said it didn''t like women or men, it only liked power... How could such a person be good at speaking? I swallowed my saliva and saw the dark desire in his eyes, like a dark cloud pressing down, like towering waves. "No... I didn''t." 0.00% Chapter 19 Absurdity Just as the words were about toe out, he suddenly lowered his head, silencing the words that were about to follow me. 288 Vouchers He kissed with great restraint, as if the palm of his hand was the most precious treasure in the world. Whenever he couldn''t resist, he would stop with his lips touching hers, and then peck again and again. I was not a person without emotions. A person standing at the top of power would smile and put on an apron, washing our hands and making soup for our family of three. I would nt my favorite nts in the yard, arrange them in the way I liked, and apany me to drink coffee. I would patiently y with the children, tell them stories, and pretend to be their father, meeting their needs without getting tired. He never spoke of love in everything he did, yet everything he did was love. I started to kiss. For a moment, it seemed as if there was a Mars explosion, and the string called "restraint" suddenly broke, and emotions and desires surged and surged. From the corridor to my room. He held me and we kept on kissing and kissing... "Can I? Can I?" 26.58% Chapter 19 Absurdity "Um." *** 288 Vouchers The waves receded far away and then hurriedly rolled back, repeating this cycle endlessly. Brenton, like an insatiable beast, pressed against me again and again. I started to believe the rumor that Brenton didn''t love men or women. Anyone who was brought to his bed, regardless of their gender, was thrown out of the room by him. He loved only me, as long as I was there. When we met again, he never mentioned the past until this moment, when his voice was buried in my neck. "The biggest regret of my life is that, at that time, I wasn''t in Newbarrow when such a big thing happened to you. I wasn''t by your side..." At that time, because Antonio saved me, he took me home and I fell in love with him. *** The next day, when I woke up, Brenton had one hand resting on my waist, sleeping soundly. I moved his hand away, got up quietly, and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for four people. I was nning to make a sandwich while frying an egg. I heard hurried footsteps and turned to see Brenton, only $1.87% Chapter 19 Absurdity 288 Vouchers wearing a bath towel, running barefoot down from upstairs. He held me tightly in his arms. "Melina!" His voice was not loud, every sound seemed to resonate from his chest, carrying a sense of fear. This was the Brenton I had never seen before, so fragile that it made one''s heart ache. "I was here, what happened to you?" "Waking up without seeing you, afraid thatst night was just another dream..." His arms were still closing in. I noticed the word "again" that he used. "Did you used to dream often before?" "Well, I dreamt about our childhood and woke up only to realize that you were no longer here." I remembered back when we were backstage at the concert hall, he stood behind me, calling out "Grace" so cautiously, afraid that if he spoke too loudly, the dream would shatter. "I was there," I turned my head and kissed him, "I was there." His emotions gradually stabilized. I bared my little sharp teeth and fiercely bit into his mouth. The smell of blood spread. 75.62% Chapter 19 Absurdity His tongue rolled, gripping my waist, kissing even more fiercely. The Lies He 20 Chapter 20 Dad With such a distraction, the fried egg in the pot got burnt and waspletely inedible. Brenton casually turned off the stove, made a phone call to have breakfast delivered, and then rubbed my waist: "Are you tired? Go upstairs and take a nap." I was actually fine, but today is the weekend, so it wouldn''t hurt to take a nap again. "Do you want to sleep a little longer?" He "hmm?ed and rested his chin on my shoulder, saying in a coquettish tone, "Stay with me a little longer." I smiled and nodded. He pecked me on the lips, lifted me up from the waist, and walked upstairs. "Mummy!" The sound of a child''s voice suddenly came. I was so scared that I struggled toe down. "Don''t move," Brenton''s voice sounded a bit nervous, he whispered, "The towel is about to fall." I didn''t dare to move, and I just heard Brenton asking the children why they didn''t sleep a little longer. "Did you sleep well?" Rory tilted his head. "Brenton, why are 0.00% Chapter 20 Dad 288 Vouchers you in our house? What happened to Mommy? Is she sick?" "She had a backache, so I held her and let her rest for a while," Brenton said. "Can I stay at your house in the future? Let me take care of you all." The two babies nced at each other. Louis sounded childish as he asked, "So, would you be willing to be our dad?" Rory was busy adding, "Only those who are willing can stay at our house! Besides us, the only one who can sleep with mommy is our dad!" I thought to myself, "Brenton is probably too willing!" Upon further thought, he was after all the heir to the Murray family, a wealthy yboy. I had been married and had two children, so he might not be interested anyway! Brenton said, "Of course I would! Just call me dad and see!" "Dad!" "Dad!" Two babies came over, happily tugging and shaking Brenton''s towel. "Don''t pull..." Pulled it down. Covering face. I doubted that Brenton had ever been so embarrassed in his life. 25.81% Chapter 20 Dad 288 Vouchers He was busy putting me down and squatting on the ground, hugging two children, kissing them on the left and right, telling them to go wash up and then wrap themselves in towels again. Early in the morning, after all themotion, there was no more going back to sleep. The four people quickly sat at the dining table and had breakfast. The two children were clearly very young, yet they were still very worried. "Brenton, do you want to move? Bring your things over? Louis and I will help you move!" "Don''t take that ragdoll cat, let it live over there by itself! If it starts a fight again, we''ll say we don''t know it!" Brenton smiled at me. I had a slight headache, it''s just one night of sleep in the adult world... It is not necessary to establish a definite rtionship. Brenton noticed my dilemma and said to the children, "I need to discuss this with Melina. If we decide to move, can I ask for your help?" The children sweetly agreed and quickly ran out to y. Brenton covered the back of my hand with his palm. "I knew you were capable, being able to take care of the children on your own, and still live a good life." "But loved you, whether it was Grace in my youth or Melina Chapter 20 Dad now, I was sincere, give me a chance." 18 280wounters "The children also liked me, and I would be more suitable than anyone else to be by your side." "You don''t have to answer me right away, just nod. I will take care of everything... Just remember, I have always been there." The sunlight streamed in from the window, shining on this man. I had a lot of softness in my heart. If Antonio''s appearance was stunning in the year he turned 18, then Brenton, now, warms the years. I was not an indecisive person. I lowered my head and smiled for a while, stood up, supported myself with one hand on the table, and leaned down to kiss his lips. 83.14% The Lies He 21 Chapter 21 Drowning Brenton''s things didn''t just suddenly move to my house, but little by little, like ants nibbling on bread, until I realized that there was no ce in my home without his traces. Pairs of cups and toothbrushes, his clothes and socks neatly arranged in the wardrobe, numerous sets of matching family outfits for the four of them... Brenton was especially patient with the two children. As long as he wasn''t on a business trip, he would pick them up and drop them off with me every day, and he would y with the children. Those who didn''t know thought he was the biological father of the child. The two children liked him very much. When the children said, "Brenton is the best dad in the world," my eyes suddenly became a little moist. Theycked fatherly love from Antonio, but Brenton provided it twice as much. "Melina,e and give me a kiss! Take a bite." "What happened?" "So happy, afraid it''s not real..." *** 0.00% +4 X+ +4 X+ KIKA III O Chapter 21 Drowning 288 Vouchers Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, the Kaufman''s Vi in Newbarrow was far from being described as "chaotic". Antonio was not doing well. Due to long-term alcohol abuse, he suffered from insomnia and his stomach problems became increasingly severe. Gradually, he even developed a tendency towards stomach cancer, and he became extremely thin. What''s worse, his auditory and visual hallucinations were also worsening. Not only at home, but also several times during meetings, he suddenly rushed out of the office, shouting "Grace..." Arge family, and also a listedpany. The demand for his removal, both within the family and among thepany shareholders, grew louder and louder. Many people said he had a mental illness. That winter, ording to the timeline, was the day of our 5th wedding anniversary. He was wrapped in arge robe, leaning against the railing on the terrace, one bottle of wine after another. "Bang!" The wedding ring slipped off the ring finger and rolled a distance on the ground before falling into the swimming pool. Antonio, feeling dizzy, stared for a while and then followed the wedding ring, jumping over the railing. During the coldest days of winter, he fished for a ring in an unheated swimming pool. 21.84% #1 ¦ª¦©¦ª¦¡ Chapter 21 Drowning 288 Vouchers The bathrobe was soaked in water and became extremely heavy. The ring was like the moon on the horizon, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t grasp it... He was so anxious that tears rolled down his cheeks. Fortunately, there were countless bodyguards in the vi, and Antonio was just drowning and suffocating when he was pulled out by someone. I tossed and turned for most of the night. The first thing Antonio said when he woke up was, "Mom, I saw Grace!" "Where is my wedding ring? Where is my wedding ring? If it''s lost, Grace will be angry!" Tabitha turned her head and wiped away her tears. When she turned back, she said sternly, "Antonio, snap out of it! If you keep wallowing in self-pity like this, Grace won''te back!" Antonio''s eyes cleared up a bit and then immediately turned red. "You deceived me, Grace is already dead... It was me who killed her, I betrayed her, she didn''t want me anymore!" "No! Grace didn''t die!" Tabitha said firmly. She took out a photoshopped picture from her bag and handed it to Antonio. 50.66% Chapter 21 Drowning 1288 Vouchers "Someone saw her abroad! It wasn''t her who died in that shipwreck!" Antonio held the photo, as he looked at it, tears started to fall again. His fingertips caressed the people in the photo, as if he was asking Tabitha, and also as if he was asking and answering himself. "Why didn''t shee back if she didn''t die?" "She seemed to have lost her memory. Antonio, pull yourself together! I have sent someone to look for her. You wouldn''t want her toe back and see the battered state of the Kaufman Group and the Parrish Group, would you?" Antonio nodded. He may have truly believed Tabitha''s words, or perhaps it was simply his body''s instinctual survival awareness. After that day, his spirit improved a lot. He started to personally tidy up the house, pouring cup after cup of coffee, working day and night to clean up the mess left by thepany, and searching for me all over the world. What is called "identally stumbling upon¡°? This is callec When Brenton and I received the news, we were preparing for the wedding. I had a feeling that this wedding wouldn''t go smoothly. 74.75% The Lies He 22 Chapter 22 The Heart''s Revenge A simple outdoor wedding. The guests invited to the banquet were only neighbors and a few close friends. I didn''t like extravagant and luxurious scenes, fearing that excess would lead to a bacsh. Brenton relied on me for everything. Wedding dresses were custom-made, and everyone, from Brenton to me to the children, had one. The whole process, the two children did not follow me, but followed him. Those who don''t know about our rtionship would think that he married me with a child. I knew that he used his guilty conscience and epted it with a smile. "Melina, do you agree to marry Mr. Murray as your husband, and love him, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" "I was willing." The two childrenughed as happily as Brenton did. Brenton hooked his hand around my waist, and as I tiptoed, he turned his head to give me a kiss. 0.00% Chapter 22 The Heart''s Revenge Laughter filled the air. 18 288 Vouchers The host also joked, "Our groom couldn''t wait to kiss the bride!" Brenton''s other hand sped my palm, fingers interlocked. Breath entangled. "I love you," he said. The noise came, and my heart tightened, Antonio had already rushed to the front. "Shut up! I objected!" Brenton had just finished kissing, but his hand that was hooked around my waist still held tightly, even tighter, while his other hand held onto Louis. Rory was led by me. "Grace, it''s really you! You didn''t really die? They said you lost your memory. I am Antonio, your husband. Look at me!" Two years had passed, and Antonio visibly aged a lot. His eyes were bloodshot, and the glimmer of hope was shining brightly. Seeing that I didn''t react, he opened his arms towards the tv. treasures again. "Louis, Rory, I was your father! Come to me!" The two babies looked at each other, but didn''t move forward. They just stared at me and softly called out, "Mommy." 23.07% Chapter 22 The Heart''s Revenge Between Antonio and Brenton, the bnce had already tipped in Brenton''s favor. 288 Vouchers The so-called bloodline, after long-termpanionship and wholehearted dedication, is not worth mentioning. Antonio never dreamed of it. He traveled a long distance without stopping, and when he arrived, what he saw was such a scene that his body involuntarily shook. "Did you all... lose your memories?" He couldn''t believe it and immediately started shouting. "Even if you all lost your memories... Brenton! You know very well who they are! This is my wife and child! What are you going to do? What are you doing?" The guests were half discussing and half silent. The ones who do not know Antonio are discussing, unaware of our rtionship. The only ones who remain silent, besides Timothy, are our domestic rtives and friends. "That''s enough, Antonio! You are not wee here, please leave." He made a "please" gesture, and the bodyguards rushed forward. The bodyguards following behind Antonio also rushed forward, and both sides faced each other in confrontation. The two children had never seen such a scene before, and almost simultaneously eximed: 47.35% Chapter 22 The Heart''s Revenge "Dad, I was scared!" "Mom, I was scared!" 1288 Vouchers Brenton immediately crouched down and embraced the two children in his arms, saying, "Don''t be afraid! I will protect you." Antonio''s eyes widened, and as the words burst out of his throat, it had already split. "What did you call him?" Brenton handed over the two children to me, blocking our way. "Mr. Kaufman was not in good spirits and his ears were not functioning well!" "Come, let me introduce you. This is my wife Melina, a renowned violinist, and my two sons, Rory Murray and Louis Murray." Antonio rushed over to hit someone, but was firmly held back by the bodyguard. "Brenton, what were you talking about?" "Whether I was talking nonsense or not, you know best. Some people may not want a wife and children, but there will alway> be someone to love them in their ce. I loved them until the veryst day of my life." Antonio looked at me with a look of despair in his eyes. 76.34% Chapter 23 Spewing Fire 1288 Vouchers Chapter 23 Spewing Fire The Lies He 23 Chapter 23 Spewing Fire Brenton understood how to kill with a vengeful heart. He ultimately did not drive the person away, but instead let Antonio stay. There were not many activities after the wedding ceremony, and the next event was the cocktail reception after exchanging rings. Antonio sat on the chair, his hands spread on the backrest, his eyes gazing at the blue sky, tears sliding down from the corners of his eyes. Tabitha sent message after message. Antonio, how did it go? Did you see Grace? Was she willing toe back with you? "If she really doesn''t want toe back with you, then you shoulde back on your own! There is nothing more important than her being alive, isn''t it?" How are Rory and Louis? Are they both doing well? How are you? Are you okay? Antonio? Antonio? *** 0.00% Chapter 23 Spewing Fire 1288 (Vouchers Antonio did not reply to the messages, so Tabitha had to call Antonio''s bodyguard''s phone. The bodyguard reported the situation here briefly. "Saw... Ms. Parrish and Mr. Murray got married... Shouldn''t forgive..." Antonio remained oblivious. Two children approached Antonio, hesitating, while holding desserts. "Uncle!" "Uncle!" m the Antonio suddenly sat up; his eyes bloodshot: "What did you call me?" The two treasures took a step back in fright, but after a moment, they tremblingly handed over the dessert to him. Rory: "Brenton asked us if you were hungry. He wants us to bring you some food." Antonio reached out to grab the two children and said, "Don''t you recognize me? I was your father!" Louis exined earnestly, "But we have a new dad now, so you can only be an uncle." Antonio angrily searched for Brenton''s figure. Brenton was hugging me and talking to someone when he felt Antonio''s gaze. He smiled and raised his ss towards him, silently saying "cheers". Antonio was so angry that his eyes were about to shoot fire. 18.91% Chapter 23 Spewing Fire 288 Vouchers By this moment, Brenton had just swung his second knife down. "Grace, were you happy?" he asked me, lowering his gaze. Since we reunited, Brenton rarely called me Melina. He always called me Melina, which is the name I used after my rebirth. He cooperated with me to sever the past and start a new life. And at that moment, he called me Grace. I tiptoed and rubbed my nose against his nose. "I am happy," I said, "I am happy because we got married, and it has nothing to do with anyone else." My answer made Brenton happier. He kissed me, hugged me, and without greeting anyone, he went straight back to the room in front of everyone. What to do? Of course, it is to pull up the curtains and engage in some happy activities as a couple. The man''s little thoughts! I have reason to believe that if Antonio didn''te, he wouldn''t have carried me up so early. And I was willing to cooperate with him and also willing to spoil him. Outsiders couldn''t see what we were doing, but they all knew. This was the third knife he stabbed into Antonio''s heart. As a childhood friend, hepassionately sent the two children to Antonio temporarily, giving him the opportunity to 43.40% Chapter 23 Spewing Fire spend some time with them. 288 /Vouchers "Would you like to go back to our country with me? I promise to treat you well! I will buy you lots and lots of toys! Your grandparents also miss you very much. In the future, I will pick you up and drop you off every day, and y with you. Is that okay?" Antonio held a child in each arm and spoke gently, persuading them. Brenton''s bodyguards formed a circle here, each with a mournful face, as if facing a great enemy, afraid that, by any chance, Antonio would influence the child. However, the two children nced at each other and quickly shook their heads. "We didn''t go anywhere! We stayed right here! We wanted to live with Mom and Brenton, I liked Brenton." "I also liked Brenton! Brenton cooked so deliciously!" ¡°Brenton was really good at ying chess, he could y any kind of chess!" "Brenton built Lego quickly and skillfully, just like performing magic tricks! Our house had thetest toys in the world!" "Brenton repaired a ski slope for us. Brenton loves us so much!" Antonio feltplicated. They were born in his endless love and countless calls. He also 7106% 282 Vouchers Chapter 23 Spewing Fire swore to protect them for a lifetime and let them grow up happily. In the end, they didn''t want him anymore! 97.35% The Lies He 24 Chapter 24 The Truth The ce where the wedding was held was not far from our house. After the two children got reacquainted with Antonio, they showed him around and chattered away. "This is the yground that Mom built for us. Later, Brenton moved in and bought the house next door, and he built a new yard. Mom was so happy!" "These two trees are called phoenix trees. When they bloomed, they were beautiful, like burning mes!" "We nted a lot of roses, they smelled amazing! That cat was called Tiger, and all the other pets around were afraid of it, even the dogs couldn''t beat it! It often stole the small fish from the fish tank, and our whole family despised it! But we also loved it." Mom and Brenton were discussing a few days ago whether to raise two geese, but they hadn''t made a decision yet. It seemed like they said that the white geese are more aggressive and they were afraid of the neighbors'' objections. "Uncle, why were you crying?" Antonio rubbed his face and crouched down, saying, "No, it''s just that some sand got into my eyes. Can you guys help me blow it out?" Whoosh. 0.00% Chapter 24 The Truth Whoosh. 288 Vouchers The children didn''t know about this courtyard, but Antonio did. Many years ago, I had said that I wanted to have a yard like this, with blooming red frangipani flowers, faintly visible roses, a ragdoll cat that steals fish, and proud and upright white geese. I forgot, Antonio forgot, but Brenton always remembered. That day, Antonio sat in the children''s sandbox for a long time and didn''t leave until dusk fell. The children had already been taken away by Brenton. "Mom, they were doing well, Brenton treated them well, they were happy..." "It was my fault, I lost them... It turns out, in one''s life, one really cannot make mistakes..." "I used to love her so much..." The stomach was the reactor of emotions. Antonio was originally talking on the phone with Tabitha when he started coughing. The more he coughed, the more intense the stomach cramps became. "Mom, I will call youter." "Hey, did you remember to take your medicine?" Antonio hung up the phone, got up and poured a ss of water, then swallowed a pill. 26.85% Chapter 24 The Truth The cough did not stop, but instead became more severe. He supported the table with one hand, and with a "wow," a mouthful of blood sprayed out, along with the undigested white pill. Antonio not only brought bodyguards with him, but also brought a family doctor who immediately administered an injection and took him to the hospital. Hisst words before losing consciousness were, "Don''t tell her!" *** The next day, I found out about this matter, which Brenton told me about. I was generally a cold-hearted person, and upon hearing the news, my first reaction was not worry or sadness, but rather annoyance. Why did someone who clearly has no rtionship with me have toe and find me? I have already pretended to be dead. The best ex is the ex who is dead. "Do you want to go and have a look?" Brenton asked me. "No way." I said without hesitation, we had long lost any connection. "I have to go," Brenton kissed me, "after all, I am his childhood friend. This is Daskiulia, he is unfamiliar with this ce, in case there is anything he needs, I should be able to help." 52.15% Chapter 24 The Truth I "uh-huh?ed. 288 Vouchers That day, I clearly had no intention of going, so why did I end up goingter? It seems that Brenton forgot to bring his phone, and I was afraid that something might happen at thepany, so I personally took his phone and chased after him. At the entrance of Antonio''s hospital room, I overheard their conversation. "" "Brenton, Grace didn''t know you were this kind of person, right?!" Brenton chuckled and calmly sat down on the chair beside Antonio''s hospital bed, brushing off the nonexistent dust from his knee. "What kind of person am I? Tell me, how much do you know? Or rather, how much have you guessed?" Antonio remained calm and spoke slowly and deliberately: "Helena was arranged by you! Grace and I havee this far, all thanks to you! You despicable person!" My mind "boomed" in an instant. Standing at the door of the ward, I dared not move. 78.59% The Lies He 25 Chapter 25 Love Plotting Brenton sighed and admitted it directly. "There was no arrangement, but she was indeed instigated by someone I sent. Can you honestly say that you didn''t do anything to hurt Grace before Helena?" How big is the Kaufman Group! Don''t just talk about a mere secretary, let''s talk about female celebrities, how many have you slept with, I don''t need to remind you, right? If we''re not careful enough and the other party doesn''t dare to expose it, then no one will know. I widened my eyes, all these years, I thought there was only one Helena! "If it weren''t for you not being able to control yourself, could Helena have gained power?" The only difference between Helena and the others was that Helena envied Grace and wanted to take her ce, while the rest just slept and went through the motions, exchanging some resources. "You were not worthy of Melina, not even worthy of the deep affection you had when you were 20 years old." Brenton took an apple from the fruit basket on the bedside table and lowered his head to slowly peel it. When you were young, you loved her enough and she liked you too. Without a second thought, I disappeared into your world. Chapter 25 Love Plotting 788 4457345 "Later, you betrayed her, and I used some means to make her see through you. Any questions?" "Even without Helena, can you guarantee that there won''t be anyone else in the future? Don''t be naive! You''re out there, fooling around with all sorts of women, there will always be one or two who want to take her ce." "The only thing I didn''t expect was the shipwreck... But it''s already in the past, and now we are very happy!" Antonio started coughing again. He covered his mouth, face, neck, and ears, all of which turned red. Brenton nced over, his tone unchanged, and his hand peeling the apple remained steady. "Whether it was coughing up blood or shing wrists, Antonio, the strategy of sacrificing oneself is useless with me, and even more so with Melina. You never understood her." When she loved you, she doted on you, you were the whole world to her. When she stopped loving you, you were not even worth as much as a small roadside stone. The apple peel waspletely peeled, forming a long, unbroken strip. Brenton did not cut the apple and share it with Antonio, but instead he directly inserted the knife into the white flesh. Sshes of juice. He got up and put the apple back into the fruit basket. 33.26% Chapter 25 Love Plotting There was no slightest fluctuation in the sound. 288 Vouchers "Get better soon and hurry back to home, don''t make me take action! The current Kaufman family cannot withstand my wrath." So powerful, such a strong aura. However, when he walked out of the room and saw me, he instantly panicked! "Melina! How did youe? When did youe?" "I just arrived." I shook his phone, "You forgot to bring your phone, I brought it for you." He struggled to suppress his panic, looking at me,pletely different from the calm andposed person he was just a moment ago. Tactually didn''t mind. Everyone has secrets. How could someone as powerful as Brenton, who was able to conquer the vast Murray family at the age of 18, be a person who waits for fate to arrange things? Just like the ss of milk after the funeral at the age of 18, I knew there was medicine inside, and I had always known. At that time, I wanted Antonio to see his own feelings. "Melina, I can exin!" Brenton didn''t believe that I had just arrived and hadn''t heard anything. 67.65% Chapter 25 Love Plotting I smiled, tiptoed, hooked his neck, and pressed my lips. against his. "Shh, don''t speak, kiss me!" The end. The Lies He 26 Chapter26 "Ms. Parrish, are you sure you wanna fake your death and live as your twin sister?" Grace Parrish paused and then said firmly, "Yes." The person on the other end seemed surprised, but he soon responded, "Alright, we''ll be on it right away. It should take about 30 days." After hanging up, Grace stood on the presidential suite terrace, gazing into the distant neon lights. Right after she was born, her parents created a fake twin- sister identity for her, just so she could escape danger if needed. Who would have thought? It became her tool to break free from the husband she once loved. Suddenly, fireworks erupted in the sky, lighting up the entire night. The live stream on her phone was flooded with enviousments. "I''m watching Mr. Kaufman''s fireworks show! Anyone else here?!" "I heard Mr. Kaufman spent a fortune hiring experts to put together this fireworks show for his wife!" "Wow, he''s loaded, handsome, and super romantic! I wish I 0.00% + KIKA III 0 < could be his wife..." "Dream on. They''ve really been through thick and thin together. Not everyone can be Grace Parrish." 11 288 (Vouchers "Yeah, they make a perfect couple! People always say there''s no true love among the rich, but this couple proves it wrong." "He named an asteroid Gracest year and put on a fireworks show this year. What about the next year?" Grace sneered as if tough at herself. Everyone in town knew how much Antonio Kaufman loved Grace. He even named thepany after both of them. When Grace was kidnapped, Antonio negotiated with the kidnappers alone, almost losing his life to save her. Later, to help Grace recover, Antonio traveled the world searching for renowned doctors. And he gathered a bunch of rare treasures just to please her. They had known each other since puberty. Back then, Antonio was the defiant rich boy, while Grace was the quiet yet strong- willed nobledy. Later, his family suffered a downfall, and her parents passed away. They supported each other through the tough times and eventually became the perfect couple that everyone envied. 03 11 However, three months ago, Grace stumbled upon his betrayal... 288 (Vouchers At this thought, Grace felt a sudden chill, her heart aching. Then, a shawl was draped over her shoulders, carrying a faint scent of soap. She turned around and saw Antonio''s handsome face. He pulled her close, cooing, "Silly girl, why are you out here? You''ll catch a cold." His gentle tone was full of concern. They got inside. Antonio took out a velvet box. Grace recognized it right away. It was a Patek Philippe pocket watch, which recently caused a stir by fetching a high price at an auction. The watch face was etched with a photo of them embracing each other. The inside of the back cover had an ancient inscription, with their initials engraved and connected by the symbol "&.¡± Antonio gazed at Grace, his eyes sparkling with deep affection. "Grace, this represents my love. My heart pounds for you no matter in the past, present, or future." His lips curled up slightly. "When we grow old, we''ll pass it on to our children." Grace stiffened in his embrace, feeling bitter. 49.22% Chapter26 Sadly, they wouldn''t have a future, let alone children. Just then, a phone rang. 288 iVouchers Antonio let go of Grace, answering the call with an annoyed face, ¡°Didn''t I tell you? Tonight is my private time. Any business matters will have to wait until tomorrow." But the caller seemed persistent, and Antonio''s tone grew increasingly impatient. Grace cut in, sounding like a considerate wife, "It''s okay. You can go. Businesses first." She must get used to being alone on Valentine''s Day. Antonio was surprised yet touched. Reluctantly, he pecked on her forehead. "You''re so understanding." Then, he grabbed his coat and left. The room was quiet, with only the ticking of the clock. Grace stared at the photo, lost in thought. Finally, she closed the pocket watch. By ident, she unlocked her phone, and it automatically switched to the next live stream. There was a sudden knock at the door of a presidential suite with identical decorations. Mylie Sparks appeared on screen, her face beaming wi... excitement. "See? My honey is always at my service!" 74.56% < Chapter28 The Lies He 27 hapter27 Chapter27 Grace''s heart skipped a beat. She had guessed that Antonio was going to meet Mylie. But she hadn''t expected him to be so bold as to arrange for Mylie to stay right next door! On the screen, Mylie ran barefoot toward the door, throwing herself into the visitor''s arms. "Honey!" The camera angle only showed his ankles. Yet, Grace instantly recognized the visitor as Antonio, the very same man who had imed he loved her five minutes ago. The live stream chat was flooded withments, "Wow, so Mylie wasn''t kidding. She does have a rich boyfriend!" "So the 160,000 dors she got as a Valentine''s Day gift is real?!" "No wonder she''s been spotted splurging in malls and getting chauffeured in luxury cars..." "That exins why she became famous so quickly!" "Every couple is outdoing thest one on this Valentine Day. I''m so jealous!" On screen, the man let out augh, his voice husky. 0.00% ¦ª¦©¦ª¦¡ III O < Chapter27 18 288 Vouchers "Why didn''t you ept the money I gave you? Do you think it''s not enough?" Mylie giggled sweetly, "I don''t want your money. I just want you to be here with me! She added, "I even got you a gift. You can unwrap it yourself..." Mylie led the man into the room, and they disappeared from view. The chat went wild with excitement. Grace felt as if her heart was bleeding. Just then, a ringtone shattered the silence. When she answered, no one spoke. Only a few soft, almost imperceptible breaths came through. Grace clutched the phone, her knuckles turning white. "Antonio," she said in a shaky voice. All the noise on the other end vanished, reced by Antonio''s shallow breathing. "Honey, it''s me. "It''s nothing. I just missed you." His voice was calm,ced with affection. What a smooth liar. Grace closed her eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek. 26.15% ¦¬¦©¦ª¦¡ < Chapter27 782 7oxes When the call ended, the man and woman appeared again in the livestream. Mylie apologized in a sweet and pitiful voice, "I''m sorry. I identally pressed the button. "Don''t be angry. I will ept any punishment, okay?" "I''ll punish you right now then." With a shriek, Mylie was swept off her feet, and they disappeared from view again. Grace''s eyshes fluttered, and tears fell silently. *** The next day, at an auction. It seemed Antonio was trying to make up for his absence the night before, as he bid on a dozen priceless treasures for Grace. Including the showstopper, a sapphire pendant called Endless Blue. After dozens of intense bidding rounds, Grace felt exhausted and said, "Forget it." But Antonio''s eyes glinted with determination. "Grace, if I want to give you something, no one can snatch it away." Grace didn''t respond. When Antonio finally won the auction and eagerly presented 50.78% ¦ª¦©¦ª¦¡ III O Chapter27 it to her, she remained silent. 288 Vouchers When Antonio''s friend asked for the pendant saying that it was his mother''s favorite, she remained silent too. Antonio snorted in the car on the way back, "If that guy ever asks for anything again, just tell him to get lost." He didn''t notice Grace had her gaze fixed on the woman''s image on thergest billboard outside. The entire inte was buzzing about Mylie''s mysterious boyfriendst night. Yet Mylie seemed unfazed, continuing to share her happiness on social media, "The punishment was severe, but I enjoyed it." In the car, Antonio continued talking but received no response from Grace. He followed her gaze out the window, then froze. At the same time, Grace turned her head, her gaze cold and sharp. "You must be really happy for Mylie, right, Antonio?" 76.77% ¦±¦©¦ª¦¡ < Chapter28 1288 Vouchers The Lies He 28 Chapter28 "What?" Antonio stared at Grace, a hint of nervousness shing across his eyes. Grace pretended like she hadn''t noticed anything off and continued, "You don''t remember her? One of the students we sponsored. "She''s made her way into the entertainment industry and is doing quite well." This was what disgusted Grace the most. Mylie was one of the students they had sponsored years ago. And now that ungrateful bitch was repaying her by stealing her man. Antonio froze but then regained his usual calmposure. With an indifferent nce at the billboard, he said, "I don''t remember her. It''s not like she''s important." Then, his gaze shifted back to Grace, regaining its affection. Grace sneered secretly. If she hadn''t known better, she would''ve been fooled by his intense gaze once again. Antonio had that kind of power. 0.00% KIKA O< Chapter28 1 288 Vouchers When he looked at a woman with such focus, she would get lost in his smoking eyes and be convinced that he loved her deeply. Not to mention he was so indifferent to everyone else, yet so passionate only with her. In the end, Grace forced a smile and said nothing. Antonio observed every little shift in Grace''s expression. She looked a bit tired, but nothing more. Finally, he sighed in silent relief. After a while, Antonio distractedly fiddled with his phone, a faint smile on his lips. He didn''t notice that Grace was looking at the same page on her phone. It was a post on social media from Mylie. "The pet misses her master." The picture showed a pure white Samoyed. Thirty minutester, the car stopped in front of their house. Antonio kissed Grace on the cheek, saying, "Rest at home. I need to go to the office for a bit, but I''ll be back soon." Grace nodded without saying anything. As soon as his car left, Grace followed. The Maybach pulled up at another vi in the same neighborhood. 1968% < Chapter28 1288 Vouchers Mylie had been waiting there, dressed in a seductive fox costume. Around her neck was a striking cor. She was overjoyed. "Master, you''re finally here! Mylie''s been waiting for you patiently." Antonio said in a husky voice, his eyes glinting with desire, ¡°Uh-huh, that''s my girl." With that, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Grace saw everything in the car, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. It felt like her heart had been torn apart. Shaking, she visited Mylie''s livestream. As expected, Mylie didn''t miss this chance to unt her date. Thements flooded in, all asking about her mysterious boyfriend. Mylie nced at the man outside the screen, smiling silently. Another viewer asked when she was joining the movie set. Mylie replied, looking happy yet troubled, "I''m not filming for now, because someone doesn''t want me to do any kissing scenes. He gets jealous." As if to respond to her words, a man''s hand appeared on the screen and yfully squeezed her cheek. Mylie giggled, her eyes glinting with adoration, "Alright, I''ll do 43.19% KIKA O < Chapter28 as you say." In the background, a Samoyedzily passed by. A brief sh of blue light appeared around its neck. Grace froze instantly, blood rushing up to her head. It seemed like Antonio really loved Mylie. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have bought her a vi so close. 11 288 (Vouchers And Mylie was the reason he had gone to such lengths to buy Endless Blue. What Grace didn''t understand was why Antonio would bother with those sweet talks or have his friend ask for the pendant. A mixture of rage and sadness rose in her throat, and Grace couldn''t help but sob. Soon, the livestream ended. The next moment, Mylie was pressed against the thin curtain of the second-floor window of the vi. The passionate scene cut through Grace''s already broken heart. She stared with wide eyes, trembling. She wished she could die at that very moment. Grace forced herself to return home and submerged herself in the bathtub. The water gradually turned cold, but she didn''t notice. Chapter28 Half an hourter, she finally got out. 11 288 Vouchers Without hesitation, Grace called a charity organization and donated the pocket watch and all the jewelry Antonio had given her. She couldn''t leave yet. But she could start by getting rid of his things one by one! The next day, Antonio rushed back, looking hurt and nervous. "Grace, did I do something wrong? Why did you throw away the pocket watch?!" Chapter29 The Lies He 29 Chapter29 What had he done wrong? Antonio had cheated on Grace, yet he had the nerve to ask if he had done something wrong. Grace struggled to keep herself fromughing. She nced at the faint hickeys under his cor and said in a calm voice, "You haven''t done anything wrong. I''m just doing charity." Antonio was relieved to hear that. He had panicked when he''d first heard the news. Just the thought of the possible consequences was enough to make him tremble. Antonio shook off his unease, gently running his hand through Grace''s long hair, his eyes soft with affection. "Grace, whatever you want to do, you have my support. But this pocket watch represents my love for you. "Didn''t we agree to pass it on to our children? "So, I bought it back." Antonio took out the pocket watch and ced it into Grace''s palm. "I''ve been too busy and haven''t spent much time with you recently. 0.00% KIKA Chapter29 ¸Ê "From now on, I''ll cancel my social engagements and stay at home with you, alright?" True to his word, Antonio started staying home more. He cooked and watched shows with Grace. He even handled his work from the study. At night, Antonio attempted to have intimacy with Grace, but she instinctively pulled away. He froze in surprise. "What''s wrong? I thought your period wasn''t due yet." Grace said, as casually as she could, "I''m just a bit tired." Antonio''s brow furrowed slightly. Since her miscarriage, Grace''s health had not been great, and he knew it. Antonio skillfully massaged her temples. Then, he went to fetch a bucket of hot water, rolled up his sleeves, and knelt in front of the sofa, gently massaging her feet. Grace touched her throbbing forehead, a bitter smile on her face. When it came to taking care of her, no one did it better than Antonio. This habit of his had formed during their toughest times, the days when she supported him through his early struggles. < Chapter29 11 288 Nouchers To this day, Antonio still peeled shrimp for her, dried her hair, carried her into and out of bed, and even put on her shoes. All his habits remained the same. But his heart had changed. Antonio, unaware of Grace''s thoughts, looked up at her, his eyes full of concern. "Feeling better now? If not, I''ll send for Dr. Zane." "No need. I''m feeling much better now," she replied. "I''ll run you a bath. Taking a bath might be helpful.¡± Once Antonio turned away, Grace visited Mylie''s social media page. Mylie had posted several updates. "The pet feels lonely." "I miss you so much..." They had only been apart for a few days, and Mylie couldn''t stand it already. Grace smirked. Later that night, the storm outside raged with thunder and lightning. Inside the bedroom, it was calm. Grace curled into a ball, with Antonio holding her tightly from behind. 41.00% ¦ª¦©¦ª¦¡ III < Chapter29 Shey there stiffly, enduring for a long time. Just as she was about to break free, she saw a faint light flicker in the darkness. Momentster, Antonio quietly released her, checked his phone, and softly got up. Grace followed him quietly, her heart sinking. 288 Vouchers In the dimly lit hall on the first floor stood a soaked woman, shivering from the rain. Antonio was surprised and snapped, lowering his voice, "What are you doing here? How did you get my house password?" Mylie turned around, her eyes lighting up. Without a second thought, she rushed to Antonio, hugging him tightly. "I memorized it earlier. "Honey, it''s thundering outside. I''m so scared to be alone..." Antonio''s face remained cold. He grabbed her wrist and said in an icy voice, "Did you forget what I said? You can do whatever you want, but not here! "Get out. Now." Mylie looked up at him, tears pouring down her face. "Don''t be angry. I''ll leave..." She suddenly staggered, almost falling. Antonio steadied Mylie with one hand, his eyes fixed on her O < Chapter29 ankle. On her bare foot, there was a bloody wound. Mylie bit her lip and started to sob. 1185 Mouchers "The thunder was terrifying. You haven''te to see me for days, and I was so scared... "That''s why I came to find you. "I''ll leave now. Please don''t be upset..." But Mylie didn''t leave. When Antonio was hesitant, she seized the moment and kissed him. Antonio was instantly aroused. He responded to her kiss, taking control. Upstairs, Grace felt like the whole world was spinning. She had to grip the railing hard to prevent herself from falling. She didn''t know how long it had been when the two figures finally pulled apart. Antonio texted on his phone while saying in a low voice, "I''ve arranged for someone to pick you up. Go home, okay?" Suddenly, a sh of lightning illuminated the room, revealing Grace''s figure. 82.05% The Lies He 30 Chapter30 It was not the time to confront the truth, so Grace pretended like she had just stumbled upon it. Her voice sharp, she demanded, "What are you two doing?!" Antonio was shocked, almost immediately pulling away from Mylie. "Grace! I can exin!" His voice remained calm, though it trembled slightly. "This crazy woman suddenly barged in, saying she needed help." At that moment, Antonio''s phone rang. With a grim face, he coldly spoke into the phone, "Hamish, this is your mess. I can''t clean it up for you! "I need you to exin to my wife right now. If she misunderstands me, you''re dead!" Antonio turned the phone on speaker. Hamish Pratt''s nervous voice came through. "Grace, are you there? "Sorry, Mylie is my girlfriend. She lives in your neighborhood. "She identally hurt herself tonight, so I told her to go to your ce for the family doctor... "Grace, this is all my fault. I''lle to apologize personally 0.00% ¦ª¦©¦ª¦¡ > O III Chapter30 288 Vouchers first thing tomorrow. Don''t get angry with Antonio. He has nothing to do with it." Grace listened expressionlessly. She nced at Mylie, whose lips were pursed with embarrassment. Finally, Grace fixed her eyes on Antonio''s pale face. This man was so devious. He''d even cooked up a story with Hamish in advance. Grace had to admit he was good. Antonio was an experienced businessman who could keep hisposure even in the toughest negotiations, but now, he panicked for the first time. Beneath his calm disguise was a thumping heart. He secretly prayed to the heavens, and it seemed to have worked. His beloved wife simply said, "I see. If it''s just a misunderstanding, let''s call it a day." Then, she turned back to her room. Antonio signaled for Mylie to leave immediately before rushing upstairs. "Grace, believe me. You''re the only woman I love. I would never betray you like that. "I might hurt everyone else, but I would never hurt you." 24.22% ¦ª¦©¦ª¦¡ III Chapter30 Grace remained eerily calm. ¡°Alright, you don''t need to exin. I believe you." 11 788 Nohes Antonio was stupefied. For the first time, he couldn''t read his wife''s mind. The next morning, Hamish arrived early to beg for forgiveness as he promised. He even organized a little gathering, practically begging Grace to show up. At the club, Hamish raised a ss in front of everyone to apologize to Grace once again. "Grace, please forgive me. I hope I didn''t hurt your rtionship with Antonio." He turned to Mylie. ¡°Mylie, you should apologize too." Mylie picked up her ss and said, her eyes red, "I''m sorry, Grace. It''s my fault." With that, Mylie finished the drink. Grace''s lips curled into a faint smile. "How did you two meet?" This question stumped Hamish. Mylie replied, "We were introduced by friends." With a meaningful nce at Antonio, Mylie continued, "I envy what you and Antonio have. You''ve loved each other for so many years." Those words were meant to draw Antonio''s attention, but he was focused entirely on peeling pine nuts for Grace, 48.85% ¦ª¦©¦ª¦¡ < > O III Chapter30 indifferent to everything else. 2 In fact, all night long, his eyes only had room for Grace, as if the others didn''t even exist at all. When someone offered Grace a drink, he would tly warn, "Take it away. My wife''s allergic to alcohol." He barely spared Mylie a nce. The thought of that made Mylie feel a surge of anger. She bit her lip and, in a fit of defiance, leaned close to Hamish''s ear, whispering, "I''m not wearing anything underneath. Want to give it a try?" With that, she quickly stood up, pulling the awkward Hamish out of the room. Antonio paused slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. A minuteter, he turned to Grace, saying, "Honey, I think I left my ring in the bathroom. I''ll go get it." He quickly left. Grace smirked, grabbed her bag, and walked out. Because she knew Antonio wouldn''t being back! As Grace passed the bathroom, she stumbled upon the most unbearable scene. 76.05% The Lies He 31 Chapter31 Grace didn''t know how she got home eventually. She only remembered that in the torrential rain, her heart died again and again. In confusion, she heard someone me himself and call her name repeatedly. Three dayster, with Antonio''s careful care, Grace''s high fever finally subsided. Antonio was excited, but then he noticed how pale and emaciated her face was, and he became distressed again. "Honey, get some more rest. I''ll make you a fish dish, and then you can take your medicine." After Antonio disappeared from the room, Grace looked toward the door, feeling sad. Whenever she fell ill, Antonio would always make her a fish dish. The tender fish meat, which he imed to contain his deep love for her, would always warm her heart. Grace knew that over these days, Antonio had been taking care of her without a moment''s rest. Because he had grown stubble, and there were dark circles under his bloodshot eyes. 732 r She would''ve been touched if Antonio wasn''t the person responsible for her pain. After taking a few bites of food, Grace said, not wanting to see him, "I''m feeling better now. You should get some rest yourself." Antonio looked down at himself and replied, "Hmm, I''ll take a shower. I''ll be right back!" Just as Grace was in a daze, several text messages flooded in. They were from Mylie. "Grace, are you feeling better?" "Did you like the fish I cook?" "These past few days, Antonio has been taking care of you, and I''ve been taking care of him." "I couldn''t bear to see him do this all on his own, so I helped him. You wouldn''t mind, would you?" Grace pressed her chest, suddenly feeling nauseous. But she received more texts from Mylie. "By the way, I left a small gift for you." "It''s in the dark-colored trousers Antonio wore today. Remember to check it out." Grace tremblingly searched inside the trousers, and when she found that thing, she could barely stand. It was a pregnancy test strip. Chapter31 The result was positive. Just then, Mylie called, her arrogant voice ringing out. 288 Vouchers "Grace, you saw everything at the club the other night, didn''t you? "Why are you pretending nothing had happened? "Thank you for sponsoring my college studies and funding my future. "That''s how I met my true love. We''re having a child. "Right, you once asked about how we met. "Well, to thank you for your financial support, I''ll tell you." Through her triumphant voice, Grace learned everything. A year ago, Grace had a miscarriage. Antonio, equally in pain, refrained from having intimacy with Grace and drowned his sorrow in alcohol at the club instead. That was when Mylie dressed herself like Grace and swooped in to seduce him. At first, Antonio coldly pushed her away. However, Mylie wrapped herself around him, enticing him, "It''s okay. I want to do it. I won''t ask for anything in return. Consider it as doing me a favor. Give it to me..." From then on, they started to fool around with each other. At this moment, Grace''s heart ached with such intensity that 61.82% Chapter31 she could hardly breathe. Hatred surged within her. In a frenzy, she smashed her phone on the floor. Her heart died in that instant. 11 78 outs Chapter32 The Lies He 32 Chapter32 When Grace finally recovered from her severe illness, there were only ten days left until her fake death. She had been told about a detailed n over the phone. Soon, Grace would be able to escape from here by faking a car ident. On Grace''s birthday, Antonio mysteriously took her to the harbor, where a brand- new yacht sparkled under the sunlight. It was the gift he was giving her, named Forever Grace. Then, with a smile, Antonio took Grace''s hand and led her aboard the yacht, taking her to an ind. As soon as she stepped off the yacht, Grace froze. The ind was covered with lilies of the valley, her favorite. At night, grand fireworks exploded in the sky. Antonio appeared amidst the cheers of all his friends. He wore a suit, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. His intense gaze was fixated on Grace as always. It was like she was the only thing that mattered in this world. Antonio came up to Grace, took out a ring, and said, "Grace, I promised to give you a diamond ring every year. 0.00% Chapter32 "This is the one for this year." 11 288 Vouchers He curved his lips into a charming smile, his eyes glinting with affection. The crowd started cheering. "Antonio really loves Grace. He literally spoils her rotten!" "Yeah, no doubt! Antonio even has Grace''s birthday as his car license number!" They had no idea that Grace didn''t feel anything when she watched him put the new ring on her finger. It was time to make a wish. Antonio gazed at Grace, finding her usual cool features soft at this moment. "Grace, may all your wishese true," he said. Grace opened her eyes and smiled faintly. Antonio probably thought she''d made the same wish as before. He didn''t know that her birthday wish for this year was to escape from him! After a day of ups and downs, Grace went to bed. In the middle of the night, she was awakened by a text message. Mylie had sent two words, "Come out." Grace threw on a coat and walked unsteadily to the beach. 25.27% < Chapter32 288 Vouchers To her surprise, the same ce where they had celebrated her birthday was now hosting a wedding! The groom, the guests, and the decorations hadn''t changed... Only the bride, who was holding a bouquet of lilies of the valley, was Mylie instead of her. Everyone seemed to have known about this all along. Antonio''s friends were cheering, "Come on, let''s all toast Antonio!" "Congrats, Antonio!" "Antonio, you''re such a lucky man!" "Antonio, I really envy you. You have such a wonderful girl by your side, and your wife doesn''t know anything at all!" The atmosphere suddenly froze. The carefree smile melted away from Antonio''s face, reced by a stern look as he demanded, "Everyone better watch what they say." He added, "If anyone lets it slip in front of Grace, I''ll make them disappear right here." Everyone exchanged looks, stunned into silence. Hamish quickly stepped in to ease the tension, "Antonio, rx. If anyone dares to talk nonsense, I''ll make sure they pay!" Antonio''s expression finally softened a bit. Chapter32 Soon, the mood became lively again. 288 ?Vouchers Amidst the cheers, Antonio and Mylie kissed and exchanged rings. They did everything a newlywed couple would do. Finally, the crowd began to disperse. Grace still stood there silently, watching her husband ce another woman on the dining table and lift her dress. Mylie clung to him, smiling at Grace triumphantly. She whispered in Antonio''s ear, "Thank you for the wedding and the ind. I love this." Antonio replied gently, "It''s a gift for the child you''re carrying." Soon, Mylie wasing. She held him tightly, trembling. "Antonio, I never dared to wish for much. As long as you let me love you, I will feel... happy." Her voice carried a mixture of pleading, pain, and pleasure. Antonio smiled yfully as he came in and out of her body. "As I said, as long as you behave, I can give you everything except a title." "What about... love?" Antonio''s lips curled in disdain as he bumped into her harder. "You can have it, of course." Chapter32 288 Vouchers What he didn''t know was that Grace had been watching all of this the whole time. Chapter33 The Lies He 33 Chapter33 Since that day, Mylie no longer concealed her ambition and began relentlessly harassing Grace. She sent provocative text messages again and again. "You know what? Every time he makes love with me, he growls my name." "Does he do that with you, too? Call out my name?" "Oh no, I shouldn''t have asked that. He probably hasn''t touched you in a long time, right?" "He says only I can make him feel satisfied. You can''t meet his needs." Mylie also sent a series of photos. Some showed her belly with a tattoo of Antonio''s name, some showed hickeys on her skin, and some showed a man''s hand caressing her pregnant belly... The most disgusting thing was that Mylie even mailed Grace a dress stained with evidence of their intimacy. Grace sneered to dismiss all of this. Her heart had long gone numb, so she couldn''t feel pain anymore. In three days, Grace would finally be free of this torment. Chapter33 She didn''t throw anything out of the house. 288 Vouchers Instead, Grace developed and erged their wedding photo, hanging it in the most prominent spot. She wanted Antonio to see her everywhere but couldn''t reach her. Grace nned to stage an "ident" in which she would die because of him. Antonio would regret everything he did, but it would be toote. He would have to live in guilt for the rest of his life. Once everything was set, Grace stared at the calendar, lost in thought. Antonio suddenly hugged her from behind, his face rubbing against her neck. "Honey, what''s the significance of the date three days from now? You''ve marked it." Grace barely suppressed herself from pulling away, whispering, "It''s my parents'' memorial day." Antonio froze, turning her to face him. "You''ve lost so much weight these past six months. Your parents will be angry with me." Suddenly, he changed the subject, his eyes glinting with desire, "We haven''t made out for a long time. Now that your cold is gone..." Antonio had tried to have intimacy with Grace several times, but each time she had either been sick or on her period. 37.43% Right now, he wanted her badly. 228 vouchert Grace tensed up, every cell resisting, desperately searching for an excuse to refuse. However, Antonio had already picked her up, gently cing her on the bed. Just as Grace was about to push him away, Antonio suddenly paused, his voice trembling. "Grace, why did you remove your tattoo? "Didn''t we agree to carry each other''s name until we grow old?" The Lies He 34 Chapter34 "Because just the thought of you fooling around with another woman with my name on your body makes me sick!" Grace nearly blurted it out. But with only three days left, she couldn''t afford to jeopardize everything now. So, Grace suppressed her disgust and said, "I had it removed to get a new one." She added, "I was nning to give you a surprise." "Is that so?" Antonio should have been relieved. But for some reason, he felt a lingering unease. It felt as though he was about to lose her... Grace took the opportunity to stand up and put some distance between them. "Do you remember this hourss? I found it while cleaning today." "Mm, back then, you were reading a novel about the desert and felt so mncholic." Recalling the past, Antonio couldn''t help but smile. "So I took you to the real dessert and collected this sand." Chapter34 Grace asked, "So, does your heart still feel the same as before?" 11 288 Wouchers Without thinking, Antonio quickly replied, "Yes, just like before. It''s never changed!" Grace allowed him to kiss the back of her hand, gazed at him intently, then smiled faintly. That smile seeded in dispelling the worry in Antonio''s eyes. He froze for a moment. Today, Grace seemed unusually cheerful and talkative. As long as she was happy, he was happy. Antonio nced at the prominent wedding photo again and told himself that he probably was just overthinking. With that thought, his furrowed brow rxed. Three days passed, and the day of departure finally arrived. Antonio had promised to apany Grace, but just before they left, Mylie called him away. Mylie knew what day it was and still summoned Antonio, intentionally provoking Grace. Little did Mylie know this was exactly what Grace wanted. In the afternoon, Mylie sent Grace another message. It was a picture of them shopping for baby supplies together. Chapter34 Instead of staying silent, Grace called her this time. Mylie, who had been excitedly picking out baby clothes, nced down at the iing call and froze. For days, Grace hadn''t shown any reaction to her provocations. Why was Grace suddenly calling her?? 288 Vouchers Mylie frowned, nced at Antonio, who was sitting on the couch flipping through a magazine, and walked to a distant corner to answer. She heard Grace''s cold voice. "Mylie, why do you have to push me? I''ll haunt you even in death!" Mylie''s expression immediately changed. "Grace, are you trying to scare me?!" The next second, a loud crashing sound came through, startling Mylie. Meanwhile, Grace watched the distant mes rising into the sky, mmed her phone down onto the ground, and put on her sunsses. The professionals would deal with the rest. In the helicopter, Grace looked back at the city she had lived in for decades. Goodbye, Antonio. Goodbye, Astonburg. 64.04% Chapter34 From today on, Grace was dead. 18 288 Vouchers She would embrace her new life as her twin sister, Alison Parrish. Chapter35 288 Vouchers Chapter35 The Lies He 35 Chapter35 "Crazy woman!" Mylie thought Grace was just messing with her, angrily hanging up the phone. She took a deep breath to calm herself. With a sly grin, Mylie quietly circled behind the couch, took Antonio''s phone from the jacket draped over the back, turned it off, and ced it back into the pocket. She thought, "Heh, you think you can take this man away from me? Not a chance!" Then, Mylie smirked in satisfaction and leaned in to wrap her arms around Antonio''s neck, pouting, "Honey, we''re done here. Can we go check out the next store?" "OK." The whole day passed with Mylie keeping Antonio busy all th time. Whenever Antonio seemed about to check his phone, Mylie would bring up a new topic or interlock her fingers with his tc distract him. By evening, Antonio still had no idea his world had fallen apart. As night fell, their car finally headed home. Mylie, feigning shyness, made a yful offer, "Honey, how 0.00% Chapter35 288 Vouchers about staying at my ce tonight? I''ve learned so many new tricks for you." Antonio casually rejected her, "Not tonight, maybe next time." Mylie wouldn''t give up. "Come on, I promise I''ll make it worth your while..." Antonio''s expression turned cold, his voice sharp as he said, "Don''t make me say it again." Mylie bit her lip, her eyes welling up with frustration. That was how Antonio was. In one moment, he would spoil her and give her anything she wanted, but in the next moment, he would turn distant as if he had be a different person. But he wasn''t like this when he was with Grace... Mylie suppressed the jealousy rising in her chest and snuggled up to him, saying in a submissive voice, "Okay, if you don''t want to, I won''t push. Don''t be mad, honey." Still, Antonio''s face remained frosty. He silently adjusted his tie, feeling inexplicably irritated. Then he caught sight of a brand-name snack store shing by on the roadside and barked, "Pull over." Antonio got out, walked into the store, and asked the clerk to pack one of each type of snack. He thought if he gave Grace her favorite snacks, she would forgive him and not be upset anymore. 49.999 Chapter35 Yes, Antonio knew exactly why he was feeling restless. He knew today was an important day for his wife, yet in a moment of impulse, he had left her to go out with Mylie. How wrong and foolish that was! Guilt surged within him in an instant. 288 iVouchers Antonio told himself that he must make it up to Grace, spend time with her, and cheer her up. Once he made that decision, Antonio felt a bit relieved. Thinking of Grace''s gentle, beautiful face, he couldn''t help but smile. Just then, his gaze inadvertentlynded on therge TV screen hanging overhead. The screen showed thick smoke billowing, with a car engulfed in fierce mes, almost reduced to a wreck. The image was both shocking and disturbing. Suddenly, Antonio''s eyelids twitched. He was about to look closer when the clerk distracted him. "Sir, your snacks are packed." When Antonio looked up again, the scene had shifted to the next news story. Thirty minutester, Antonio returned home. The house was dark. "Grace?" Chapters Antonio called out several times. But he received no response. 11 288 uger Antonio furrowed his brow, sensing that something was wrong. He ced the snacks on the table, then patiently went around, turning on the lights one by one. The vi was eerily empty, with no sign of Grace. Unease crept into his chest. Antonio nced at his watch. It was 8:30 p.m. Grace should''ve been back from visiting her parents in the graveyard by now. Suppressing the anxiety building inside him, Antonio tried to call the chauffeur to ask what had happened, only to find that his phone had been turned off. When he powered it on, dozens of missed calls and countless messages flooded in. Antonio frowned and narrowed his eyes. Just as he was about to read a message, a call interrupted him. A panicked voice came through. "Mr. Kaufman, it''s bad! Mrs. Kaufman has had an ident!" Antonio''s pupils dted, and his mind went nk. The Lies He 36 Chapter36 In the morgue. Antonio stood stiffly, staring intensely at the corpse that was beyond recognition. His eyes were wide with terror, and his whole body trembled uncontrobly. It took a long, agonizing time before he finally found his hoarse voice. "No... no, this isn''t Grace. It''s not her." The staff exchanged nces, and one of them said in a heavy tone, "Mr. Kaufman, please ept our condolences." Antonio grabbed the speaker by the cor and roared, veins bulging and rage in his eyes, "What the hell did you say?!" The others quickly backed away, trying to console him. "Mr. Kaufman, we understand your pain, but please stay calm." ¡°DNA testing has confirmed this is indeed Mrs. Kaufman. And this pocket watch was found at the scene." They handed over the broken pocket watch respectfully. Antonio froze, his hands slowly dropping, his eyes bloodshot with disbelief. 0.00% Chapter36 His throat tightened, and he couldn''t produce a sound. How could this be? How could it possibly be?! 288 Vouchers Just this morning, Grace was still standing in front of him, so quiet and gentle. How could she be gone so suddenly?! Antonio cried out in sorrow. His body swayed before he copsed to his knees. Mylie, who had seen the news, arrived. She passed by the man kneeling on the floor and looked toward the bed. With just one quick nce, she covered her mouth, nearly vomiting. The body had been so disfigured that it was beyond recognition. Instantly, Mylie felt a surge of exhration. From now on, Grace could no longerpete with her for the man she loved. "How did this happen?" Just then, a hoarse, rough, and hollow voice shattered the silence. The staff looked at the devastated Antonio, and one of them replied cautiously, "Preliminary investigation shows this was an ident. But we''ll need further investigation and the recovery of Mrs. Kaufman''s phone to rify the details." 25.21% Chapter36 288 Vouchers At the mention of the phone, Mylie felt a sudden jolt of fear. Grace''s sudden phone call shed in her mind, and a cold shiver ran down her spine. Mylie told herself it would be fine. She had deleted those provocative messages from her phone. Besides, she had only used words and hadn''t done any physical harm. So, she believed Antonio wouldn''t do anything to her. Then, Mylie knelt down, cing her face against Antonio''s back, softly whispering, "Honey, it''s alright..." Before she could finish, he violently shoved her away, sending her crashing to the floor! Mylie stared at Antonio in shock, feeling hurt. His cold, murderous aura made her uneasy. *** In the darkest hours of the night. Antonio staggered back to the vi. Shaking with exhaustion, he finally copsed with a crash. Antonio gripped the pocket watch in his hand, repeatedly telling himself that the corpse couldn''t possibly be Grace. All he had to do was sleep, and this nightmare would end. Then, he would hold Grace close, kiss her forehead, and apologize. He would stay with her and never leave her side again... In the darkness Antonio curled up on the bed murmuring to Chapter36 himself. "Grace... "Grace, wake me up, please..." 288 Vouchers He was as scared as a lost child, tears rolling down his face uncontrobly. Suddenly, Antonio went wild, grabbing the hourss from his bedside table and shattering it! ss shards pierced his palm, blood pouring out immediately. He trembled uncontrobly. Thest shred of hope had been shattered by the pain in his palm. Even the cold air and the cold ticking of the pocket watch were cruelly reminding him: This was all real. The Lies He 37 Chapter37 A man looking disheveled was in the Kaufman''s vi. He sat on the floor barefoot, surrounded by empty wine bottles. Antonio had locked himself at home since that day, refusing to either eat or drink. He used to be a clean freak, paying great attention to his appearance all the time. Yet now his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked haggard and pitiful. Clutching the pocket watch, he murmured, "Grace... "I know you always hate it when I drink... "Come back. Come back so that you can scold me in my face, OK?" When saying this, he pressed his cheek against her face in their wedding photo, trying to catch a trace of her scent and warmth. After some time, he suddenly woke up with a start and looked around, confused. In the next second, he realized that everything was still in ce, and Grace was still nowhere to be seen. Once again, he was caught up in despair. Just then, he felt a gust of wind, which brought some sounds Chapter37 along. 1 288 Mouchers His heart skipped a beat; he tensed and held his breath to listen. At the next moment, his eyes lit up with hope again. He got up at once and rushed toward the living room without even putting on his slippers. Then he saw a familiar figure in the kitchen with an apron. His eyes turned red, and he didn''t even dare to breathe lest disturbing her; or what if it was just a dream? After a long while, he cautiously whispered, his voice trembling, "Grace?" The figure paused. Then she turned around, and he saw Mylie''s fawning face. "Antonio, you''re awake. I''m making some soup for you; it''s good for your hangover. It''ll be ready soon." It wasn''t her. It wasn''t Grace. Antonio''s eyes dimmed totally instantly. He stood in situ in agony, feeling dizzy. He was about to lose his bnce. Looking at him, Mylie felt heartbroken. In just a few days, he had be so gaunt, and his face was so ghastly pale as if he were seriously sick. 288 (Vouchers She tightly held his hand, pleading sadly, "Antonio, please, pull yourself together.... "I know it''s a lot for you to take, and it''s been so hard. But no matter what, you gotta move on with your life, right?" "Piss off." Stunned, Mylie bit her lip hard. "No. I won''t leave, Antonio. I''m willing to be Grace''s substitute. "Just give me a chance, OK? I promise I can rece her and even be better than her. A lot better!" "Are you deaf? I said, piss off!" Antonio snapped and swept everything off the kitchen ind, his eyes red. Among those scattered items on the floor, a stack of photos and a piece of sexy lingerie fell out of a box with its lid popped open. Mylie''s expression changed at once. Panicking, she wanted to pick them up and hide them. But a slender hand beat her to it. Antonio lowered his head and looked at the photos in silence, his fingers trembling. There were photos of Mylie with his name tattooed on her lower abdomen, Mylie with suggestive marks on her skin, and him stroking Mylie''s bulging belly... 288 Vouchers After a long while, he looked up, his eyes bloodshot. He looked like an enraged wild beast with a sinister gaze that oozed a terrifying chill. Chapter38 1288 (Vouchers The Lies He 38 Chapter38 Terrified, Mylie couldn''t help but take a few steps back. Meeting Antonio''s piercing gaze, she said, trying her best to look calm and hide her guilt, "No, Antonio. It''s not what you think. It''s ... got nothing to do with me." Yet, with bloodshot eyes, Antonio stepped closer to her. He stood in front of her and suddenly grabbed her slender neck. She shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her cheeks. "No! Please, believe me, Antonio. I didn''t send these photos. I mean it... It''s not me... "I''m pregnant ... with... your baby..." Her face turned pale. A second before she was strangled, he finally regained some sanity and slowly loosened his grip. She slumped to the floor in a sorry state, coughing non-stop. Seeing her like this, he didn''t feel sorry for her at all. Instead, he said, his tone filled with malice, "You better not have done anything. "Or you''ll end up miserably. "Now, piss off. I don''t wanna see your face ever again." Mylie''s body shook, and she gawked at him, feeling a chill running down her spine. She thought she meant something to him. 0.00% ... ... +4 X+ X+ III 0 < Chapter38 She thought he''d get over it after some time. But his demeanor today truly terrified her. She thought, "In his eyes, is Alison this irreceable?" 288 Vouchers Slowly getting up, she left the vi dejectedly as if sentenced to death. *** From that day on, Mylie never showed up in front of Antonio again. She was waiting. She was waiting for the day he came back to his senses and remembered her. She figured that since she had endured so many years, at this critical juncture, she had to stayposed. To pass the time, she went live. It was the first time she had gone live again in a long while, and in an instant, her screen was flooded with countless real-timements. Netizen A: "Where have you been? It''s been a while." Netizen B: "Where''s that rich boyfriend of yours? Did you break up?" Mylie was annoyed, being touched on the sore spot. But she had to force a smile, pretending that she didn''t see thatment. In the next second, aizen with sharp eyes asked her several questions in a row. 23.86% 111 0 < Chapter38 Netizen C: "What happened? Your eyes are swollen." Netizen C: "Are those bruises on your neck?" 1288 Vouchers Netizen C: "What''s going on? Did someone abuse you?" The smile on Mylie''s face froze, her expression changing uncontrobly. She tried her best to hold back but failed. She stopped streaming and started to scream madly. After a long time, she finally vented all her anger out and gradually calmed down. Gritting her teeth, she keptforting herself that what Antonio had for Grace wasn''t love; it was temporary guilt. If he loved Grace, why would he have cheated on Grace with her secretly in the first ce? Lowering her head, she stroked her lower abdomen and murmured, "Baby, how I wish you could grow up a lot faster. "With you, I''m sure I can defeat that dead bitch." Just then, a loud bang came from the door. Antonio, leading a group of people, had kicked it open. At the sight of him, Mylie was thrilled. "Antonio, you''re here!" Yet in the next second, she saw the photo clutched by his pale fingers, and her heart skipped a beat. "Mylie," Antonio said slowly, his face twisted by anger, looking terrifying. "You''ve got some nerve. 45.79% < Chapter38 288 Vouchers "You were bold enough to provoke my wife behind my back again and again. "You deliberately diverted her attention when she was driving and caused her to have an ident." Mylie''s face turned pale. Looking at his frightening expression, she trembled in fear. Flustered, she backed away, shaking her head ceaselessly. "No, Antonio, it''s not like that. Hear me out..." In the next second, he pped her so hard that she fell to the floor. Stroking her burning cheek, she was so terrified that her voice trembled. "Don''t do this to me, Antonio... "It''s all because I love you so much..." Yet he approached her again and said with not a single trace of sanity in his eyes, "How dare you hurt her..." She was stupefied. She had never seen this side of Antonio. He was as dangerous and cold-blooded as a killer, his eyes filled with inhuman malice. The mercilessness in his eyes made her even feel that she was a mere stranger to him. Utterly terrified, she cowered and begged for his mercy, her face full of tears. "Antonio, please. Please don''t do this to me. I''m pregnant with your baby, remember? Please let me off..." 70.82% Chapter38 Yet he wasn''t moved at all and kicked her ruthlessly. 288 Vouchers Instantly, a shrill, desperate scream echoed through the vi. Mylie clutched her cramping belly, writhing on the floor like a fish on a chopping board. Chapter39 288 iVouchers Chapter39 The Lies He 39 Chapter39 Three months passed. In the cemetery, a cold wind blew mournfully. A tombstone engraved with the name of Grace Parrish stood beside the Parrish couple''s graves. Standing next to Grace''s tombstone was a tall, slender man whose face was paleasdeath. Holding Grace''s phone, Antonio closed his eyes. How he wished he were the one lying there. It had been three months since Grace left. Yet, he remained mired in the great pain uncontrobly. During these days, he checked her phone again and again, forcing himself to recall those details. Those odd details slowly came back to him. He gradually remembered all the small signs he had overlooked, including the emotion in her eyes-he used to think it was calmness, but actually, it wasplete disheartenment. She endured suffering while watching him betray her and lie to her. The thought broke his heart, suffocating him. When she helplessly called for help in the fire, he was with another woman. Whenever he thought of this, he always couldn''t help but feel the urge to strangle himself. 0.00% # X+ §à < Chapter39 288 Vouchers It dreaded him to think Grace left while harboring resentment for him. Whenever he realized this, his heart began to twitch, and the pain was unbearable. When he proposed, he vowed that he''d love her, respect her, and protect her forever. Yet he became the chief culprit who caused things between them to end like this. Tears streamed down his ghastly pale cheeks. He couldn''t help but question himself, what was he thinking? How could he let theme to this? She was the one he had sworn to protect! He resented himself so much. He knew very well he couldn''t stand losing Grace. He couldn''t afford the consequences at all. But why was he still so foolish back then? Then he remembered. Back then, she had a miscarriage. It killed him, too, but he still acted strongly and showed her support, and finally, they got through it together. Yet it became his nightmare, haunting him. Every time he closed his eyes, the image of her crying in agony came back to him. Because of this, he was worried he might hurt her in bed. He never got intimate with her again. 22.85% < Chapter39 Then Mylie showed up. Stupid and shallow as she was, she satisfied his physical needs. He vented out his lust on her without feeling guilty. Gradually, he forgot his vows and indulged himself in physical desire. He had always known he merely used Mylie as a tool. Grace, his wife, was the one and only for him. He was so confident that he wouldn''t get caught. Yet he forgot that once he got caught, the consequences would be too much for him to take. Trembling all over, he was engulfed in remorse and pain; his face turned bloodless. He bit his fist and sobbed; finally, he couldn''t take it anymore and had a breakdown, bursting into tears uncontrobly. He was always calm andposed, but at this precise moment, it was all gone. He resented his past self, wishing he could go back in time and kill that stupid jerk. How could he treat Grace like that back then? How could he be such a stupid asshole? Yet, it was toote. Whatever he did-harming himself, torturing himself, repenting, or killing himself- she wouldn''t know. She would nevere back. 4697% apter39 288 Vouchers Of course, she hated him, he presumed. After all, it had been almost a hundred days and nights, yet no matter how much he begged, she never showed up in his dreams. She didn''t want to hear what he had to say, and he didn''t even deserve a chance to repent. She was punishing him for betraying him. It was karma. After a long time, Antonio opened his eyes, his face ashen. Only emptiness filled his eyes. He was no different from a terminally ill patient, looking as if he might die in any second. Regret, pain, and despair kept torturing him every second. He had no idea how much longer he could hold on. However, there was one thing he did know. Before he was gone, he must deal with Mylie first. Or he wouldn''t dare to look Grace in the eyes. Forcing himself to hold on, he took out his phone and made a call. His subordinate reported to him. "Mr. Kaufman, Ms. Sparks has been confined for three months since she had a miscarriage. "Over these months, she has been crying her eyes out every day. She just wants to see you." Antonio remained deadpan, not feeling a thing at all. 69.02% III §à Chapter39 288 Vouchers Just as he was about to order his subordinate to get rid of Mylie, his subordinate suddenly said, "Mr. Kaufman, we''ve just got word! "ording to the investigation, something in Mrs. Kaufman''s death report is off." Antonio''s phone dropped to the ground as his pupils dted. After a while, his dull eyes lit up with ecstasy and hope. 288 Vouchers The Lies He 40 Chapter40 In Averia, a mysterious man outside a convenience store caught everyone''s attention. He was slender, tall, and handsome, and what stood out most were his eyes, which were even more captivating coupled with his cold features. They were filled with loneliness, indicating it was a man with countless secrets and stories. No one knew how fast Antonio''s heart was beating. He was so excited that he was even trembling slightly. Ever since he knew Grace might still be alive, he had clung to this trace of hope. For the past six months, he had been sending people searching for her globally. As long as there was a lead, he''d follow it further himself. His wish was humble. It didn''t matter whether she resented him or resisted him. All he wanted was for her to be alive. A "ding" rang out. Taking a deep breath, he finally mustered his courage and pushed open the door. Yet instantly, his sincere hope turned into disappointment. It wasn''t Grace. 0.00% < Chapter40 It was just a stranger who looked somewhat like her. 288 iVouchers He walked out of the store and looked up at the dark sky, his eyes filled with perplexity. It was such a big world. Was his beloved still alive? Fle Two monthster, Antonio flew abroad for the neenth time. This time, he came to a flower shop in Caumar. The owner said to him apologetically, "Thedy has already left." Noticing the disappointed expression on his face, she felt bad and added with gestures, "Oh, she bought a bouquet of lilies of the valley." Antonio was stunned for a second. Then he immediately rushed out and looked around frantically in the crowd. But no matter how hard he tried, he spotted no one with a bouquet of lilies of the valley. It had been almost a year since Grace left. For the past year, he had held onto hope, only to be disappointed over and over again. Finally, he started to feel that he couldn''t hold on any longer. Just then, snowkes started to drift down from the sky slowly. It was Christmas. Pedestrians on the streets walked past him in a hurry, their faces lit up with festive smiles. 34.03% < Chapter40 1288 Vouchers Only Antonio walked aimlessly, his eyes dull, his heart empty. He had no idea how long he had walked and where he was now. In a daze, he remembered that once upon a time, he came here with Grace. It was also a snowy Christmas. Back then, he held her in his arms and stuffed her hand into his coat pocket. They smiled and chatted while walking on the streets sweetly. But now? He had be a lost cause, and he lost her. Finally, he couldn''t hold on any longer and had a breakdown. He stumbled and knelt in the snow. After what felt like an eternity, a female voice rang out. "Sir, do you need help?" He looked up and saw a blonde he had never seen before. Deadpan, he shook his head. However, in the next second, he trembled violently in disbelief. The Lies He 41 Chapter41 Across the street, a figure Antonio was familiar with, holding a bouquet of lilies of the valley, was opening a car door and was about to get in. "Grace! Grace..." In that second, Antonio, who had almost given up, shouted desperately, his heart beating frantically again. He scrambled up, vaulted over the railing, and rushed over, throwing caution to the wind. However, the car had already started. Without hesitation, he rushed in front of the car, stopping it with his own body. The screeching sound of tires scraping the ground pierced the air. Every passer-by was shocked by Antonio''s crazy moves. A minuteter, a woman got out of the car. It was Grace, the woman he had pined for every day. All of a sudden, his entire world became so quiet. He even forgot to breathe. He forgot when it was and where he was. All he did was stare at her. 0.00% 111 > 1288 (Vouchers Then, trembling all over, he got up with difficulty and held her tightly, tears streaming down his cheeks. He had lost all his rationality and dignity, acting merely on the most instinctive impulses of his body. His mind was filled with only one thought. If this was a dream, he just wanted to be in it forever. However, in the next second, the woman broke free forcefully and scanned his face. After a while, she said coldly, "Who are you?" It seemed she didn''t know him. Antonio trembled. His heart sank before he even had a chance to rejoice. Clutching her shoulders, he said, his voice shaking, "Grace, it'' me. I''m Antonio. Your damned husband Antonio!" She frowned slightly, remaining indifferent. "I don''t know you Please let go." "No. Grace, don''t punish me like this. Please... I''m begging you... "Over the past year, I''ve spent every day repenting and missing you. "Finally, I found you. Don''t pretend that you don''t know me, OK?" However, no matter how sincerely he pleaded, she wasn''t moved at all. On the contrary, she repeated coldly with a look of disgust, "Please let go." < Chapter41 17 288 Wouders "No! Never! I''ll never let you slip away from me again! I swear!" In the next second, someone pulled Antonio away and punched him to the ground with great force. Another man looked down at him, narrowing his eyes, which were tinged with dangerous glint. "Get your hands off my fiancee. Piss off!" "You know, you didn''t have to get out of the car earlier at all." The man driving the car suddenly said meaningfully. Alison was looking outside the window. Hearing this, she turned to look at Javon Murphy and gently shook her head. "Even if I didn''t get out, he wouldn''t have given up. I know him." "What''s your n then?" Javon nced at her deeply, trying to have a clue about how she felt right now. She just smiled, "I don''t have a n. "I''m Alison now. For Alison, he''s nothing." As she spoke, he stopped the car in front of a house. Javon''s dad, Vincent Murphy, and Javon''s mom, Eva Murphy, along with their goofy skan mmute, were already waiting for them eagerly at the door. The Lies He 42 66.06% Chapter42 1288 Vouchers "Vincent, Eva, we''re back!" Alison beamed. "Finally! Javon, what took you so long to pick up Alison? Vincent and I were worried sick," Eva said. Vincent echoed, "Indeed we were. Try and be more reliable, OK, Javon? Alison, let''s go. Eva has already prepared a feast. Come inside!" Alison looked back with a smile, winked at Javon mischievously, and then walked inside with Vincent and Eva on either side of her. Javon followed them, smiling and shaking his head helplessly. Then gradually, a trace of tenderness and affection filled his eyes. After the meal, he drove Alison back to her apartment in the city. Before he left, he looked at her, his eyes deep. It seemed he wanted to say something to her. But he didn''t. He just took out a small gift box and instructed "Open it when you get back." Alison was a bit surprised. "But you''ve already given me a gif tonight." He reached out and brushed the snowkes off her bangs, chuckling, his eyes sparking. "This is different." 0.00% X+ ¾¢ Chapter42 288 Vouchers She was stunned for a second and then nodded in a daze. Then she smiled and said bye to him. Coming back inside, she turned around and unexpectedly met a pair of sad eyes in the dark. Then Antonio said, his voice hoarse, "You''re finally back, Grace." Alison tensed at once. She turned on the light and frowned. "You again. How did you get in?" He stared at her without blinking while approaching her. Instead of answering her question, he asked, "Who''s that man? Why did he give you a lift? "Why did you ept his gift? "Do you have feelings for him?" His tone was filled with deliberately suppressed bitterness as well as jolting agony. He couldn''t hold back any longer. Before she could answer, h held her, throwing caution to the wind, and begged her in a low voice in her ear. "Grace, pity me... "Don''t pretend that you don''t know me anymore, OK?" Alison exerted great force to break free from him. As she stepped back, she grabbed a knife from the table. "My name isn''t Grace. Go, or I''ll call the police right now." The wariness and disgust in her eyes broke Antonio''s heart, and he fell silent. 28.14% 2 Chapter42 11 288 Vouchers Half an hour ago, sitting alone in the dark, he went through all the materials sent from home. It was written in ck and white that she wasn''t Grace; she was Alison. She was Alison, Grace''s twin sister. They were separated at birth. But he refused to buy it. He didn''t believe in such coincidences. And never did he think he would mistake someone else for Grace. His gut, his feelings, everything, they were all telling him that the woman he was looking at was Grace, his wife who had lived with him for thirteen years. His Adam''s apple bobbed, and suddenly, his eyes darkened. He strode forward, grabbed Alison by the wrist, took the knife away from her, pressed her against the wall, and kissed her earlobe, her most sensitive part. However, she wasn''t turned on at all; instead, she struggled even harder. During their scuffle, a corner of her clothes was lifted inadvertently, and he was shocked at once, standing in situ motionlessly. There wasn''t even a single trace of a tattoo on her lower abdomen at all. She pped Chapter42 288 (Vouchers him with all her might and was about to make a dash for the door. However, in the next second, he held the doorknob tightly. She turned around, only to see him staring at her. His eyes were dull and lifeless, and he looked just like a walking dead. He said, his voice t, devoid of any emotion, "It''s cold outside. Don''t go out. I''ll leave." Chapter43 288 Wouchers Chapter43 The Lies He 43 Chapter43 Snow wasing down hard outside. Leaning on her pillow, Alison gazed at the fancy bracelet Javon gave her. If her memory served her right, her aunt had said this was meant for the futuredy of the Murphy family. Her mind journeyed back to the year before. After faking her death and getting away, she traveled the world for three months before arriving here. At the airport exit, she spotted a man who stood out. He had sharp features and cool yet piercing eyes. His tailored shirt and cks had a simple elegance, exuding sophistication and restraint. Alison looked away, waiting for her contact to show up. Unexpectedly, the man walked up to her and offered his hand. "Hello, Ms. Parrish. I''m Javon Murphy." Alison was surprised. She was surprised that the reliable, organized voice on the phone belonged to such a handsome man. "Hi, I''m Alison Parrish." That was how she ended up as the "adopted daughter" of the Parrish family, raised by the Murphys as Alison Parrish. 288 Vouchers It turned out that on the day Grace was born twenty-eight years ago, her parents had a n. They set up an identity for a "twin daughter", just in case she might run into any trouble. The Murphy family, indebted to the Parrish family and well- connected in Caumar, made it happen. Over the past year, the Murphys treated her like family, showering her with the parental love she hadn''t felt in ages. Javon, quiet and reserved, was like a true brother, always there for her when she needed him. She healed her heart and gradually became the real Alison. The betrayals, loves, and hates had all be history, locked in her memories. Alison snapped back to reality, grabbed her phone, and texted, "He''s likely investigating everything about me, including a DNA test." Javon replied almost instantly: "Don''t worry. I''ve got it all sorted." Alison thought for a moment, then typed another line: "Thanks for ying my fiance today. In my heart, you''re the best brother I could ask for." At the same time, a message popped up on the other end: "Have you seen the gift?" Suddenly, both sides fell silent. On Alison''s phone screen, it kept showing the other party was 31.69% < Chapter43 typing. It wasn''t until muchter that Javon finally texted: "My pleasure." Night fell. On their phones, both of them were lost in their own thoughts. 11 288 Wouchers Meanwhile, on the empty street, a man sat in a dark Maybach, staring at the light in the apartment, as if he was yearning for his wife. The DNA match report came out. It showed she wasn''t his wife. It was actually someone who shared blood with his wife. He doubted it. His instinct didn''t die. However, recalling her resolute expression, her resistance, and the absence of any tattoo, he wavered again. Antonio''s mind was a mess. His heart kept plunging. It felt like it would never hit bottom. After a bit, he lit up a cigarette and rolled down the car window. As the smoke cleared, uncertainty and vulnerability filed his 73.03% Chapter43 eyes. The Lies He 44 Chapter44 Sunlight poured in. Antonio had been up all night. He sat there like a rock, eyes glued to the entrance of Alison''s apartment building. Antonio only jolted awake when he saw Javon''s car arrive at her ce. Antonio''s gaze was fixed on the entrance. Ten minutester, Alison walked out with a smile. Wearing sunsses, she chatted with Javon as she headed to the passenger seat. She wore a light blue shirt, dark jeans, a long coat, and a scarf that popped against her wavy brown hair. She looked really fresh and lively in the sun. Right then, Antonio felt like she wasn''t like Grace at all. His wife was elegant, always wearing smart, stylish clothes. But this woman was rxed and casual. She followed her own style, not caring what others thought. Then, a car engine revved up. Antonio shook off his daze and started following the car. **** 0.00% +- X+ Chapter44 1 238 Nouchers Over the next few days, Antonio kept his distance, staying behind Alison and Javon. On the first day, they dined at a restaurant, chatting happily. The next day, they raced at the track, side by side. On the third day, they walked the beach, dating sweetly. Then today, they arrived together at a masquerade party. Antonio watched them dance, oblivious to others. He clutched his ss, eyes reddening. He wanted to split them up so many times, to take what he felt was rightfully his. But he made himself hold back. He kept reminding himself not to act on impulse until he got the answers he was looking for. Yet, their closeness made his pent-up emotions erupt! Antonio finished his champagne, grabbed a mask from the bar, and put it on. He approached Alison, taking the chance to ask her to dance. Her clear eyes quickly checked him out before she put her hand on his. Antonio felt a rush of happiness, but he kept his excitement in check and started dancing with her. He looked deep into Alison''s eyes behind the mask and asked softly, "Want to hear a story?" 25.97% < Chapter44 11 288 Nouchers She paused, surprised, but Antonio led her back to dancing. So, he finally got the chance to quietly tell Grace''s story. Five minutester, the story finished. The music stopped too. With Antonio''s curious and hopeful gaze on her, Alison put some distance between them again. Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Thisdy''s story is pretty sad, huh? "But I''m a bit confused. "You say you love your wife, but ignore her pain, causing more harm? "You say she loves you, but after being betrayed, how can you think she''d still feel the same way?" Antonio stood there,pletely at a loss for words. Each question felt like a sharp knife, hitting him right in the heart. With a sneer, Alison pulled off her mask, revealing her stunning face and the clear contempt in her eyes. ¡°Mr. Kaufman, I''ve learned about my own background from my family and I''ve figured out who you are. "To be honest, even though I''ve never met her, I feel sorry for my sister for what she''s been through. "But I''m not her. I have my own life. 58.19% III < Chapter44 "So, please, stop bothering me." With that, she turned and walked away. #288 Wouchers "Grace! Antonio snapped out of his daze and tried to grab Alison''s wrist, but Javon stepped in. His intense gaze and fierce demeanor were like a lion poised to attack. "Mr. Kaufman, you need to leave now. Don''t make me force you to." The next moment, two bodyguards approached Antonio. 288 Vouchers Chapter45 The Lies He 45 Chapter45 Half a monthter, at the riverside. Javon silently gazed at Alison beside him. Alison stood there, eyes gently closed, head tilted slightly upwards, allowing thezy breeze to caress her. Her She exuded an almost ethereal charm. Suddenly, without the slightest hint, Alison''s eyes snapped open, and she spun around. Javon, caught off-guard, swiftly averted his gaze. He cleared his throat, and said softly, ¡°Antonio has been drowning his sorrows in the bar these past few days. He''s stopped trailing you. "Moreover, the board of directors of his domestic group has been piling on the pressure, urging him to return and resume his duties without dy. "So, it won''t be long before he gives up and leaves." Upon hearing this, Alison simply nodded. Her expression remained inscrutable, betraying no clue as to what thoughts were in her mind. In a daze, Javon''s eyes locked on her. 0.00% Chapter45 288 Vouchers All of a sudden, a faint, alluring fragrance wafted towards him, tugging at his heartstrings. He wanted to inhale it more deeply, to savor it more fully. With such a thought, he found himself unconsciously leaning in closer to her. In the very next second, Alison''s words of gratitude jolted him back to reality. "Javon, thank you for your help these days. "I know you''re already busy at work, but you''re still willing to spare the time to act with me... "I am really grateful and very happy to have you by my side." Javon understood. He gazed at her deeply, but words seemed to get stuck in his throat. In the end, all he could manage was a slightly bitter smile. He took off his scarf and gently wrapped it around her. They had no idea that this very scene was witnessed by someone else, whose eyes were filled with bitterness and resentment. *** On the way back, Alison and Javon tacitly remained silent. Suddenly, there was a "bang". A jolt of impact hit them. It seemed that their car had been rear-ended. Javon first made sure that Alison was safe and sound Then, he calmly unbuckled his seatbelt and said in a deep voice, "I''ll 32.66% Chapter45 go to check." 1288 Vouchers However, as soon as he got out of the car, Antonio suddenly emerged on the passenger side. He opened the door, grabbed Alison''s wrist, yanked her out of the car with force, pulled her into his car, and then stomped on the elerator aggressively! Before Alison could realize already drove away. what had happened, Antonio Alison looked at Antonio''s tense face. His thin lips pressed tightly together, and his body radiated a sense of gloom. She quickly took out her phone to call for help. Antonio''s hoarse voice slowly sounded, "Grace, you can call the police. Do whatever you want. "But I want you to know that even if I die, I won''t hurt you." Instantly, Alison paused. Twenty minutester, the car actually drove back to the riverside. Alison was momentarily stunned, then she frowned and asked coldly, "Antonio, what on earth do you want?" But in the next second, taking advantage of his drunken state, Antonio cupped her cheek and suddenly kissed her passionately, as if a storm had erupted. ¡ê9.50% The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 46 Chapter46 Alison was furious and pped Antonio hard. Yet Antonio seemed to have lost his mind and kept on kissing her violently. All of a sudden, he stopped. He looked at her intently and then murmured his anguish. "I don''t care who you are, whether you''re Grace or Alison. Right now, you are the only one that keeps me going. "Grace, do you know? I miss you like crazy. I miss every frown and smile of you. I miss our wonderful past.... "I swear, I''ll treat you well from now on. I''ll make up for everything. Pleasee back, please..." During the days when Alison was missing, he tried his best to persuade himself that Alison wasn''t his wife and that he should let her 1. go. But the instant he saw her smiling sweetly at another man, his resolve crumbled in an instant! All those decisions he had forced himself to make under the guise of reason were gone. Antonio''s eyes reddened, and as she struggled, he kissed her once. more The simultaneous ringing of two mobile phones added a touch of tension to this confined space. In the next second, the car''s Bluetooth automatically connected, and Mylie''s sobbing voice came through. "Antonio, when are youing back? When will youe and see me... "Come and see me. I really miss you..." Then, there was a sharp shout to stop her, and the phone call was abruptly cut off. Alison red at the almost mad Antonio in front of her, her eyes brimming with hatred. She bit down hard on his lips, and immediately, the taste of blood filled the space between their frenzied lips and teeth. Antonio let out a grunt and finally stopped. He gasped for breath and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Did I hurt you just now..." "You hypocritical bastard!" Antonio was jolted by the undisguised hatred in her eyes. A multitude ofplex emotions flickered across his gaze. Eventually, he closed his eyes and spoke with self- deprecation. "Yes, I''m hypocritical... "If you were Grace, you would surely be able to feel that my heart still beats for you. "If you''re not, then I can''t let you go. Ever since Grace left, my life has been in shambles! "Grace, pleasee back with me... "This time, I''ll definitely make amends with my life..." Antonio was lost in his sorrow. He didn''t know that Alison suddenly pressed the car door unlock button. Simultaneously, Javon''s men yanked the car door open and stunned Antonio with a stun- stick! Javon looked livid andmanded his men to toss Antonio onto the ne. Yet, Alison''s voice rang out in the night sky, "Wait." Javon''s body went rigid, and he slowly turned around. One nce was all it took for him to understand her decision. Alison stood there, her voice as frigid as ice, devoid of any warmth. "She''s actually still livingfortably, without facing any consequences. "And he actually has the guts to say those things to me. "Javon, I want to go back. "I didn''t want to get entangled with them anymore, but since they kept provoking me time and time again... "Then I''ll make sure they get the punishment they deserve." Javon stared at her in silence, keeping silent for a long while. After a long time, his muffled voice sounded in the wind. "I know I have no right to stop you, but please grant me one request." "What is it?" "Let me go back with you." Javon wanted to protect her. Alison was dumbfounded, but finally, she nodded. So, the next day, she said to Antonio, "Okay, I''ll go back with you. I just want to see the ces where my twin sister and my parents used to live." Antonio looked at her in disbelief. He could hardly believe his ears. t glimmer of light finally appeared in his otherwise dull eyes. The Lies He Told Me 47 Chapter47 In Astonburg. The instant Antonio stepped back into the vi, he focused on Alison''s expression, scrutinizing every minuscule change without the slightest oversight. To his great disappointment, though, she still looked calm, without even the faintest flicker of emotion. He had no idea that Alison was inwardly calm at this moment. She hadn''t returned to rekindle old affections; rather, she was here to exact revenge. Just then, a sound rang out. A petite figure burst out of the kitchen, her face beaming with joy. "Antonio, you''re finally home!" It was Mylie, d in an apron, looking every bit the housewife. However, in the very next second, the spat in Mylie''s hand ttered to the ground. She gaped at Alison in horror, her expression contorting in an instant, and then she shrieked, ¡°What? Who the hell are you? Are you a ghost? Weren''t you supposed to be dead?" Alison''s eyes were brimming with mockery, and the corners of her mouth curled up ever so slightly. But before she could utter a word, Antonio''s face darkened, and he seethed with rage. "Why is she here? What''s wrong with you?" Two subordinates hastened over. "Sorry, Mr. Kaufman. We got distracted for a moment, and she managed to slip out of the vi. We''ll take her away right now!" Upon hearing this, Mylic backed away in a panic. "No, Antonio, don''t lock me up again! "What about the child? Are you still angry with me? "Please let me out and give me a chance to make amends for my mistakes!" However, Antonio turned a deaf ear andmanded harshly, "What are you waiting for? Take her away. Make sure she won''te out again!" "Yes, sir!" As Mylie''s howling faded away, the room returned to silence. Antonio, trying to hide his guilty conscience, had a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead. He forced a fawning smile and said, "Grace, you must be exhausted after such a long trip. Let me take you upstairs to res Alison saw right through his intentions and casually declined. "No. I''ll go to the hotel." Then, with a faint sneer, Alison added, "That must be Mylie, right? It doesn''t seem like you loved Grace all that much, does it?" Antonio felt a pang in his heart and quickly stammered an exnation, "No. I had no idea she would..." But Alison just ignored him. She simply turned around and walked away. Antonio had been waiting in the car outside the hotel for seven or eight days straight. In those days, he constantly sent messages to Alison, yearning to meet. her. But Alison never replied, leaving himpletely engulfed in his desperate longing. Antonio had initially believed that her consent to return to Astonburg with him would mark a turning point. Yet, he realized he''d been far too naive. While he was being upset, his phone rang. Antonio immediately sat bolt upright, his face lighting up with joy. It was a text from Alison: "Happy birthday. I''ve prepared a gift for you." Antonio was taken aback, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. But before he could dwell on its meaning, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure emerging from the hotel. Javon, in a sharp suit and polished leather shoes, walked withposure into the hotel lobby. Antonio thought, "Since when has Javon followed us to Astonburg?" Antonio became restless. He quickly got out of the car and trailed behind. However, he lost sight of Javon in the corridor of the high- end club on the 16th floor Just then, a waiter emerged from one of the private rooms, carrying a tray filled with eye- catching wedding candies. Antonio''s eyes widened. He seized the waiter and asked in a deep. ungent voice. "What''s going on here?" "Hello, sir. A guest is getting ready to propose," the waiter replied. Antonio was startled. Alison''s ambiguous text message shed through his mind, and his heart was thrown into turmoil. Without a second thought, he rushed forward and forcefully pushed open the door of the private room. A woman in a wedding dress turned around, but to his shock, it wasn''t Alison! The Lies He Told Me 48 Chapter48 Mylie''s eyes instantly sparkled when she saw Antonio push the door open and step inside. She threw herself into Antonio''s arms excitedly, her face a mess of snot and tears. "Antonio, it''s really you! "Thank you, thank you so much for giving me another chance! "I thought you were really going to abandon me..." Mylie had endured so much these past days. She had been injured by Antonio''s men and left to survive on her own in the vi. But by some stroke of luck, just when she had lost all hope, Antonio had actually sent people to dress her up, even made her wear a white wedding dress, and brought her here. Upon hearing this, Antonio became astonished, and he subconsciously shoved Mylic away. But in the very next moment, a group of people walked in. They were Antonio''s friends. All of them were in high spirits, cheering and whooping enthusiastically as if they had truly arrived at a proposal ceremony. Antonio''s face turned ashen with rage, and he almost bellowed, "Damn it! What the hell are you all doing here?" Instantly, everyone fell silent, their eyes darting nervously at one another. Hadn''t Antonio summoned them all here to witness a marriage proposal? They had thought Antonio had finally managed to walk out of Grace''s shadow and was about to officially embrace Mylic. At this moment, Alison, leading a group of reporters, flung the door open. In an instant, everyone was dumbfounded. For a long time, rumors had been circting in the circle that Antonio. had gone abroad and brought back Grace''s long- lost twin sister. But now, seeing this face that was an exact replica of Grace''s, they truly experienced a huge shock! The moment he saw Alison, Antonio rushed to exin, "Grace, don''t misunderstand, I..." But when he realized that it was Alison who had orchestrated all of this, he was speechless. Alison let out augh and started apuding. "Congrattions!" Then, she turned to the excited reporters behind her and said softly, "Everyone, you''re fortunate today. We get to witness the scene of Mr. Kaufman proposing to Ms. Sparks once again." As soon as she finished speaking, the lights in the private room dimmed. Severalrge screens gradually hit up, ying scenes of Antonio and his friends holding a wedding ceremony with Mylicst year behind Grace''s back. Everyone stared at the screen in utter disbelief. Their hearts pounded in unison, and their faces turned pale. They wondered if Alison was Grace''s twin sister, or if Grace herself had been reborn and returned for a vengeance. When the lights came back on, Antonio''s face was ashen, and his mind. was in a mess. All the reporters, seizing the opportunity, bravely surged forward and trained their cameras on him. "May I ask, Mr. Kaufman, is the footage just now authentic? Do you have an affair with Ms. Sparks?" "May I inquire whether Mrs. Kaufman was aware of this at that time? Could you tell us your marital status back then?" "Ms. Sparks, are you the other woman in this rtionship?" "Mr. Pratt..." The Lies He Told Me 49 Chapter49 Those people were hounded by insistent reporters. Alison took great pleasure in seeing their embarrassed responses. A faint smirk yed on her lips as she walked away with strides. Suddenly, Mylie pushed through the crowd and hobbled after her. Mylic shouted angrily, "Grace, stop! "I don''t give a damn whether you''re human or a ghost! You''ve wrecked my life over and over again! I''m not done with you!" Alison turned around and grabbed Mylie''s hand, which was about tond a p. Then, she mped down hard on Mylie''s delicate wrist and forcefully swung it in the opposite direction. In the blink of an eye, Mylie let out a scream, flew through the air, and crashed into the champagne tower in the lobby. Instantly, the magnificent champagne tower toppled, and ss shards scattered in all directions. Amidst a chorus of gasps, Mylicy sprawled in the debris and spilled liquid on the ground, breathing heavily in disbelief. Her white wedding dress was smeared with dirt and lookedpletely soiled. At that moment, everyone rushed over from behind. Mylic took advantage of the situation and suddenly feigned a pained expression, weeping and ying the victim "Antonio, she shoved me! She pushed me! "Please help me up. It hurts so much..." Alison sneered scornfully, picked up a bottle of champagne from the nearby table, and poured it over Mylie''s head. Instantly, Mylie opened her eyes wide. Her face turned pale in an instant, making her look even more wretched. After doing all this, Alison turned her head slowly, meeting the stunned gazes of everyone present with nonchnce. "Alright, does anyone have anything to say?" Antonio immediately rushed forward anxiously, "Are you hurt?" But to everyone''s astonishment, he was asking Alison. Mylie, who was lying on the ground seething with anger, became increasingly frantic. "Antonio, s pushed me! Open your eyes! Sh bullied me!" However, in the very next second, something even more astonishing happened. A sharp p resounded through the air. Alison actually pped Antonio. Instantly, the atmosphere turned deathly quiet, and everyone gasped. Yet, Antonio''s eyes were bloodshot, as if he were actually pleased. "Grace, just keep pping me. Hit me as much as you like. "As long as it gives you a bit more courage, you can hit me even harder." As he spoke, he even leaned his reddened cheek forward on his own. Everyone stood there, utterly stunned. They couldn''t help but think Antonio had lost his mind entire world had gone mad. They had no idea that at this very Antonio was filled with a far surpassed the being pped. Content bel In fact, the instant he saw that video, he was certain that his Grace was alive. Alison was undoubtedly Grace! Alison, on the other hand, merely sneered and then turned around to walk aw The Lies He Told Me 50 Alison and Javon stepped out of the elevator side by side. To her surprise, Antonio simply wouldn''t give up and came chasing. after them once more. Right there in public, he grabbed her wrist without hesitation, his eyes aplex mix of tion and sorrow. "Grace, I''m certain it''s you! Please, give me one more chance! "I know I was wrong. I truly know I made a mistake... "Ever since you left, I''ve been regretting day in and day out, every single night, every minute... "I promise you, I swear to you. If I ever repeat my mistake, I''ll be doomed!" Alison gradually slowed her pace until she stopped. She looked at Antonio with aposed demeanor, her cold eyes. brimming with hatred. "Grace is dead. "What''s more, it was you who killed her." For an instant, Antonio''s body convulsed, and he froze, as if a thousand arrows were piercing his heart. Seeing that Alison was about to walk away without mercy, he clutched her wrist even tighter and suddenly dropped to his knees. "I know, I deserve to die! "But I really can''t go on living without you.... "Have mercy on me, please, okay?" His voice was feeble and submissive. He was desperately pleading for mercy. At this moment, a figure dashed out from behind the onlookers, desperately attempting to pull him up. "Get up! Antonio, get up! I won''t let you kneel to her! "You''re a person of such high status. How could you kneel before her!" Mylie was deeply in love with Antonio and idolized him. She couldn''t stand him groveling on his knees, devoid of all dignity. Mylie wailed and shrieked, her facial features contorted as if she had lost her sanity. She turned towards Alison and cursed. "Who do you think you are? How could you humiliate him like this?" However, Antonio showed no gratitude. Instead, he shoved Mylie away forcefully, sending her sprawling to the ground. Mylie truly broke down. She was in a state of hysteria. "She''s humiliating you, and yet you still protect her! "I''m the one who loves you the most. Why can''t voll even spare me a second nce?" But no matter how heart- rending her cries were, Antonio seemed to be deaf to her pleas. He continued to gaze at Alison imploringly, gripping her wrist tightly, and couldn''t tear his eyes away. It was as if in his world, only she mattered. Just then, a fist cleaved through the rushing wind with such force that Antonio was immediately sent crashing to the ground. Javon nonchntly adjusted his sleeves, his eyes, with a menacing glint, fixated on Antonio. "I''ve been tolerating you. "I''m warning you! Keep the hell away from Alison. She''s my girlfriend." *** The following day, the report spread like wildfire across the Inte. People learned that Mylie''s earned that Mylie''s mysterious boyfriend was, in facet ¨¨ decent man in the uppehet the man renowned ss." Antonio''s public persona as a doting husband crumbled in an instant. Theizens unearthed Mylie''s past audio-visual materials and pored over them frame by frame, gradually uncovering the sordid details of her past bit by bit. It turned out that Mylic was not only a college student subsidized by Antonio''s parents but had also seemingly had an affair als ne Hamish. For a while, public opinion was in an uproar. People simply couldn''t stand still. They all felt indignant for the "deceased" Grace, andshed out at Mylie, branding her as a shameless and ungrateful bitch. Furiousizens swarmed to her social media ount to curse her and even organize spontaneous boycotts. Almost overnight, Mylie''s reputation waspletely shattered. At the same time, the A&G Group was severely hit, with its share price. plummeting rapidly. The Lies He Told Me 51 Mylie was bombarded by a barrage of attacks online and lived in panic. every day. Currently, she was hated by everyone, too terrified to show up in public. She could only hide in the deste vi and live in istion. Yet, she still hadn''t given up. Gritting her teeth, she started a live stream, weeping in front of the.. camera and alleging that Antonio and Alison might be involved in an hical romantic affair. However, the news of Alison strolling hand-in- hand with her wealthy and handsome boyfriend, Mr. Murphy, promptly dispelled all such rumors. Realizing that she had not only failed to reverse the situation but had also further incited public anger and revulsion, Mylie closed the live- broadcast room in despair. Just then, Antonio showed up with his men. He didn''t say anything, but his bodyguards approached her. Mylie backed away, trying to hide, and screamed in terror, "Antonio, what are you going to do to me? Antonio?" But he remained silent and didn''t even spare her a nce. Mylie snatched the fruit-peeling knife from the table, pointed it at herself, and wailed pitifully, "Don''te any closer! If you dare to approach, I''ll hurt myself!" She sobbed, her eyes fixed on Antonio. "Antonio, I can''t believe it! "I can''t believe you have no feelings for me at all!" Yet. Antonio remainedpletely unmoved. "If you want to end your life, be my guest. Just make sure you don''t get blood on my carpet." In an instant, Mylie''s face turned deathly pale. There was a sharp ng as the knife slipped from her hand and ttered to the floor. She truly hadn''t expected him to be so heartless. Was all her devotion over the years just a joke? But Antonio didn''t give her any more time to wallow in her sorrow. He motioned to his men on either side, and they moved in to seize her. He grasped her chin mercilessly, his eyes aze with hatred and revulsion. "I was far too lenient with you in the past. ¡°From this moment on, the only ce you belong is a mental asylum.¡± Mylie trembled violently, breaking into sobs. She struggled desperately, pleading for mercy. "Antonio, please, don''t do this to me! "I''m not crazy! I''m not insane! "I''ll go to apologize to Grace right now. Please, forgive me! Have mercy on me! "I don''t want to be locked away in a mental asylum. No!" No matter how much she thrashed and Strugled. Mylic was still f , bound with strips fire shoved into the car. After handling all of this, Antonio felt a bit dizzy. However, the very next second, when he received the news from his subordinate that Alison had driven to the airport, panic and furysurged within him instantly. Antonio sped all the way, running countless red lights, and finally reached the airport. He searched around like a madman, but couldn''t find Alison. With trembling hands, he tried his utmost to call her. But he couldn''t put it through. He mumbled to himself, "Don''t do this to me, don''t do this to me." Finally, among the crowd, he spotted the figure he had been longing for. Antonio rushed to Alison like mad. Fear invaded his brain. The thought of her leaving him again drove him crazy. Alison turned around and saw Antonio in such a state of panic. His eyes were bloodshot, glistening with tears, and he was babbling. "Grace, don''t go! Please, don''t be so cruel and abandon me..." Alison looked at him calmly, her eyes betraying no emotion. "Let go. Our story ended a long time ago." Antonio''s face drained of color. He looked desperate. Yet, he persisted in his struggle, pleading why don''t dare to seeket softly, "I know, and that''s et forgiveness now. Content I "I merely ask that you remain within my sight so that I might have an opportunity to make up for you. "Grace, losing you is unbearable.... "I can''t bear to go through that again!" The Lies He Told Me 52 Chapter52 Antonio had long forgotten how he had endured those days filled with pain, with no one to turn to for support... He simply couldn''t bear to go. through that again! Yet, Alison''s gaze remained as cold and indifferent as ever. It was as if she had trulypletely let go, with not even the slightest. lingering affection... The very thought of this made Antonio catch his breath in a choke, and a sudden sharp pain shot through his heart. He stumbled involuntarily as if the world was spinning out of control around him. With great effort, he tried to steady himself, then, trembling, he dropped to his knees once more. He hoped that this undignified act might evoke a sliver of pity in Alison, perhaps making her change her mind, if only a little. At this moment, passers-by came to a halt to look at them. Everyone recognized him as Antonio, the president of the A&G Group. The gazes directed at him varied: some were filled with curiosity, some with contempt, some were just watching the show, and others were mocking. But without hesitation, they all whipped out their apps and began live- streaming the scene. Alison, exhausted, forcefully tugged her hand free. She cast one final nce at him, then turned around and walked away with determination. Antonio instantly became desperate. In a panic, he reached out his hand, but he couldn''t even manage to grasp the hem of her clothes. All he could do was sob, his body trembling violently, and he was so ovee that he couldn''t even utter a word. With despair in his eyes, he could only watch her retreating figure and shake his head frantically Finally, he copsed to the ground. That day, Alison and Javon went back to Caumar together. Meanwhile, in Astonburg, there was a shocking piece of news: Antonio, heartbroken by love, had driven his car into the sea to kill himself. Five yearster. The wind chimes at the entrance of the flower shop tinkled softly as the gentle breeze blew through, creating a series of crisp notes. A customer stood at the counter, and he turned to thedy intently pruning the flowers for the third time. Then he curiously asked the clerk in front of him, who was busy packing a bouquet for him, "Excuse me, is that lovelydy one of your employees?" The clerk, ustomed to such inquiries, replied with a warm smile, "She''s the owner of this shop, my boss." Just as the customer was still hesitating whether it would be inappropriate to ask further, a tall and handsome young man entered the shop. His initially slightly cool gaze rested on thedy immediately, and then it gradually softened into a tender expression. He simply remained patiently to one side, watching quietly, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly, without making a sound to disrupt her. After a while, thedy noticed the arrival of the man. She looked at him, smiled, ceased her work, tidied herself up, and then took the man''s hand affectionately. They walked out together. It was only when the well-matched couple vanished from sight that the customer who had bought the flowers finally snapped out of his daze. BUMS The clerk, as if she could read his mind, blinked and gave him a mischievous smile, saying in a foreignnguage, "What a beautiful couple, right?" ?wnovel Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe. In a courtyard filled with lily trees, a man in a wheelchair was jolted awake from a tormenting nightmare. He gasped for breath, his forehead beaded with cold sweat. He stared nkly around, disoriented. After a long time, the searing pain in his heart began to subside. However, his eyes once again grew vacant and listless. He had long lost count of how many times he had had this dream. Time and time again, he found himself reliving the past, as if caught in an endless loop. Each time he was like a helpless onlooker, desperately at the past. In his dreams, b would howl in agony at his former self. "Push that woman away! Resist all temptations and go back to your beloved wife!" Yet, without fail, in each dream, he would make the same tragic mistakes, repeating the wrong choices over and over. Then, he would wake up from the throbbing pain, feeling empty, numb, and with tears streaming down his face. Time and again, stubbornly, he would continue to have this dream. The cycle kept repeating. At this moment, the housekeeper approached and inquired softly, "Mr. Kaufman, did you have a nightmare again? "Do you want me to call Dr. Zane toe and take a look? Maybe he prescribe some more medicine to help you sleep." can As he spoke, he gently tugged up the nket that covered Antonio''s two prosthetic limbs, his tone thick with worry. However, Antonio merely waved his hand wearily. Then, he tightly grasped the pocket watch in his hand and pressed it against his chest, right over the spot where his heart was beating. He was well aware that he would never move on and never get better. Chapters) For the rest of his life, he would be trapped in this dream, day in and day out, enduring the punishment he deserved. He wondered where Grace was at this moment. How was she? If he hadn''t made those mistakes in the past, what kind of life would they be leading now? Antonio stared vacantly at the lily of the valley swaying in the wind, and once again, he sank into a fantasy. Tears trickled down his pale and gaunt cheek. The Lies He Told Me 53 Grace Parrish felt that marrying Antonio Kaufman was a stroke of luck. Back then, Antonio proposed to his first love in front of the entire school. After he got rejected, Grace offered to marry him. He held a grand wedding but never agreed to register their marriage. Grace neverined, just epting it willingly. Three yearster, Grace got pregnant. When she came out of the consulting room, however, she ran into Antonio and his first love. Apparently, they were here to have their pre- marital health checkup. "As I said, you''re the only one worthy of being my wife," Antonio. cooed. His first love, Ke Stone, smiled gently. Antonio''s younger sister Laney sneered at Grace, "I''m getting a new sister-in- Only then did Grace realize what a fool she had been. She terminated the pregnancy and left without a word. Rumor had it that the usuallyposed Antonio went mad searching for her after she left. Chache The next time they met, it was snowing heavily. Antonio and his sister stood before her, their eyes red with regret. "Grace, I''m sorry. Pleasee home with us!" "Honey,e back to me, will you?" Before Grace could respond, a strong arm pulled her into an embrace. "Stop kidding. She''s my wife." On Grace Parrish''s phone, there was a message that she hadn''t replied. to. It was from her childhood friend, Shane Larson. "Grace, seven years ago we agreed that if neither of us were married" when I returned from abroad, we''d get married. Does that still count?" Grace nced at Antonio in the study, took a deep breath, and hit send. "It does. Pick me up in three days." The reply came instantly. "OK." *** Grace and Antonio held a wedding right after college. She used to think they would grow old together, even though they never registered their marriage. But today, Grace ran into him and his first love, Ke Stone,ing out of the hospital holding pre- marital health checkup results. At that moment, she knew her dream had shattered. Around the corner. Antonio gently kissed Ke''s hand. "As I said, you''re the only one worthy of being my wife. Now, it''s finallying true," Ke''s lips curved into a charming smile. "Antonio, thank you for waiting three years. But what about Grace?" A sh of guilt passed over Antonio''s face, but it quickly faded. "Don''t worry, I''ll break up with her at the right time." Grace crumpled the pregnancy test results in her hand. Her phone still showed Antonio''s number. Silent tears rolled down her face. She turned back to the doctor''s office, her voice trembling. "Doctor, schedule an abortion for me. I don''t want this baby." Before she could share the joy of her pregnancy with Antonio, she had to say goodbye to the life inside her. In a daze, Grace walked out of the hospital. The early spring breeze was warm, but it made her shiver. She watched from the corner as Antonio carefully helped Ke into a car and drove away. His eyes, as alv Antonio spent most of his time in the study at home. Watching his handsome profile, Grace recalled the past. In their senior year in college, Antonio proposed to Ke. He was the heir to the Kaufman Group, and she was the prom queen. The proposal shocked the entire campus. "Ke Stone, will you marry me?" On one knee, Antonio asked hopefully. The crowd chanted, "Say yes! Say yes!" But Ke hesitated, biting her lip. "Antonio, can you wait for me? I''ve been epted to a university abroad. I want to pursue my dream first." Antonio frowned. He could wait, but his mother couldn''t. "Ke, I won''t stop you from going abroad. But you know my mom is inte- stage cancer. She doesn''t have much time left. Let''s register our marriage first. It won''t dy your studies." Ke shook her head. She couldn''t give up her bright future and marry early. "I''m sorry. I can''t." With tears in her eyes, she turned and ran, leaving Antonio alone in the awkward scene. He stood there, dazed, the ring in his hand feeling like a cruel joke as murmurs of sympathy filled the air. Suddenly, a clear voice rang out, "Antonio, I''ll marry you!" Antonio looked up and saw Grace smiling at him. No one knew she spent how much courage to walk up to him. She extended her hand, silently asking him to slip the ring onto her finger. "I will marry you and take care of your mother in her final days." Grace couldn''t remember how long it took Antonio to finally slide the ring onto her finger. The ring was a bit too big, and not her style, but none of that mattered. What mattered was that he was the one she love Grace had truly loved Antonio since the first day of college. When she came to campus alone, she nearly got hit by a basketball. It was Antonio who blocked it for her. From that moment, her eyes had been drawn to him, unable to look away. But back then, Ke was always by his side. They had been together since high school. Grace knew she had no chance, yet her heart remained hopelessly devoted to him. So when the opportunity came, she seized it. Antonio had given her a grand wedding, but he never brought up registering their marriage. Grace wanted to remind him many times, but each time she swallowed her words. She was afraid that asking for too much would push him away. As long as they were together, this was enough for her. Everyone knew they were married, and she was the one by his side. Six months after their wedding, his mother passed away. Grace stayed by her side until the very end, fulfilling every duty of a daugin- asked for much. Just being with him was already enough. But dreams alwayse to an end. Grace touched the oversized ring on her finger. Three years had passed, and now she had to give back what had never truly belonged to her. The Lies He Told Me 54 Chapter54 "Grace"? Grace!" Grace broke out of her trance and looked at Antonio. She must have stood outside the study for too long, and it annoyed Antonio. This man had smiled so gently at Ke carlier in the morning, but why did he lo "Huh, what is it?" "Your phone is ringing." Only then did Grace feel the vibration in her hand. She nced at the screen, and it was a call from the hospital. Antonio watched her retreating figure as she stepped onto the balcony, a thoughtful look in his ey "Hello?" "Ms. Parrish, the surgery you scheduled can take ce tomorrow." Grace unconsciously ced her hand over her belly. This tiny life had been part of her for five weeks, but tomorrow, they would separate. Though reluctant, she knew that if she wanted to leave everything about Antonio behind, she couldn''t keep the baby. "Can the surgery be done under general anesthesia? I''m a little afraid of the pain." Grace tried to sound casual, but the heartache was impossible to suppress. She had once longed for a child, one who would resemble Antonio or herself. "It can, but we''ll need your family to sign the consent form." Grace froze. She was all alone. Her parents had divorced long ago, and her grandmother, who raised her, had passed away four years ago. There was no one left in this world she could call family. "I''m an orphan. I have no family." The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before simply confirming the appointment for tomorrow. Grace hung up and turned around, only to meet Antonio''s sharp gaze. "What surgery requires general anesthesia? Who''s getting surgery?" Grace averted her gaze. She rarely lied to Antonio, but now she had to hide the truth that she was going to abort their child. How could she even begin to exin? "One of my colleagues is having surgery tomorrow. I have to be there. for her," she said as calmly as she could before hastily walking away. Antonio instinctively reached out to stop her but missed her arm. A strange emptiness settled in his heart. He pressed a hand to his chest. confused. He wasn''t supposed to care about Grace, so why did seeing "Grace, I don''t get this question." It was Lancy Kaufman, Antonio''s 1.n younger sister. When their mother passed away, Laney had just started high school. To ease Antonio''s. burden Grace had taken a teaching job at Lancy''s school. apanying her to ang school for the past three years. Steadying herself, Grace walked up to Laney. "What is the question?" Lancy didn''t respond. Instead, she slid her tablet toward Grace, disying an Instagram ount with a note reading, "New sister-in-w." Grace frowned in confusion, but then she saw the profile picture. of Ke. Her heart sank. So even Laney knew Antonio was going to leave her and get back together with Ke. Laney smirked, satisfied with the reaction she received. "Ke is back. She and my brother are getting married soon. If you have any self- respect, you should leave my brother now." Grace forced a bitter smile. No matter how much she had given to this family, she was still an outsider. Stumbling into the bathroom, she shut the door and stared at her own reflection. How pathetic she was. No Her phone buzzed with a message from Laney. It was a photo of Ke taking a mirror selfie in her pajamas. Grace immediately recognized the background. It was Antonio''s and her wedding house in the south district. Grace never liked the interior decor. She knew Antonio had designed it specifically for Ke. Even after Ke dumped him, he still loved her. Back then, for the sake of Lancy''s schooling, Antonio had bought their current ce near the school. Grace couldn''t even remember thest time she had set foot in that other house. Maybe Antonio had never intended for her to stay there for long from the beginning. "You probably haven''t followed Ke on Instagram, right? Don''t worry. I''ll make sure to forward all of her posts to you." Grace knew Laney had resented her discipline, but she hadn''t expected Laney to be so eager for her to leave. Well, they would all get what they wanted soon enough. She would be gone, and Ke would be Antonio''s new wife. Grace wouldn''t get in the way, and Antonio. wouldn''t let her even if she wanted to. The Lies He Told Me 55 Grace went to the hospital alone for the procedure. This baby was never meant to exist, so Antonio didn''t need to know. Since she had no family to make medical decisions for her, Grace opted for local anesthesia. The pain was sharp and unrelenting as she felt the life being torn from her body. She bit her lip, telling herself this would be thest time she suffered for Antonio. That man didn''t belong to her, and she was don Pale- faced, Grace stepped out of the operating room. The hospital was bustling with people, but no one bothered to ask how she was feeling. She tilted her head back to keep her tears from falling. "Don''t cry, Grace. "Antonio, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to bring my mom to the hospital." Grace followed the voice and saw Antonio and Ke helping an elderly woman toward her. There was nowhere to hide, so she just stood there, frozen. As soon as Antonio noticed her, he let go of the elderly wo "What are you doing here?" Swallowing her bitterness, Grace forced a smile. "Didn''t I say yesterday that one of my colleagues was having surgery? It just ended." Ke stepped forward, smiling triumphantly. "Grace, long time no see!" Grace nced at Antonio, who looked visibly ufortable. Even now, she still couldn''t bear to put him in a difficult position. "Ke, long time no see." "Don''t get the wrong idea," Ke exined. "My mom needed to see a doctor, and Antonio was just helping out. I just got back to the country. and don''t know my way around. Luckily, he was there to help me." Grace responded with a silent smile, but Ke''s eyes became moist anyway. "Antonio, I shouldn''t havee to you, right? Grace seems upset." Her pitiful look made Antonio frown in concern. "It''s fine. I want to help." He turned to nce at Grace. "Grace is the most understanding person. She''ll get it. Am I right, Grace?" Grace smiled silently again. Yeah, she had always been the understanding one, taking care of his ailing mother and disciplining his rebellious sister. And now, without a singleint, she was returning hig to Ke. "There''s nothing wrong with helping them. I''m not upset. Antonio, I have something to do, so I''ll be leaving now." Not waiting for Antonio''s response, Grace turned away. She felt like a thief who had stolen three years of someone else''s happiness. Now, it was time to return it, though her heart was broken. Grace went to the wedding house in the south district to grab her things. She hesitated at the door for a long time before finally unlocking it. Inside, everything looked the same as before, but it also felt like everything had changed. A fail floral scent lingered in the ai It was the same scent Ke had carried earlier that morning. Walking into their bedroom, Grace saw unfamiliar skincare products on the vanity. A framed photo of Antonio and Ke sat on the bedside table. The wardrobe held Antonio''s clothes alongside another woman''s. The bathroom counters were lined with couple''s toiletries that weren''t hers. Looking around, Grace realized there was nothing of hers left, there. She leaned against the doorframe of the living room, trying to recall memories of this ce, only to find her mind nk. A sharp pain came from her belly, reminding her that she had just had an abortion. The cold floor beneath her felt just as icy as her heart. In the end, Grace found a few pieces of her clothing. On her way downstairs, she tossed them into the trash bin andughed bitterly. She needn''t havee to clean up, because Antonio would have thrown everything away himself. This house was always meant for Ke, so he wouldn''t keep anything of her things here. The Lies He Told Me 56 Grace endured the abdominal pain as she returned home, took some pills, and fell into a drowsy sleep. By evening, some knocks on the door woke her up. "Do you even care what time it is? Why aren''t you making dinner? Do you want to starve me?" Laney barged in. Grace nced outside, and it was already dark. Normally, she would have had dinner ready by now. In the past three years, she had never let Laney eat takeout, not even when she was sick. "Go eat out. I''m not feeling well." She tossed Laney 30 dors and turned to drink some water. Antonio hadn''te home, probably still with Ke. Lately, he rarely ate at home, yet Grace still cooked dinner for three every day, just in case her "I''m sick of your cooking anyway. If my brother didn''t stop me from eating out, I''d be getting takeout every day." Laney shot her a re before mming the door on her way out. Grace shook her head. See, she had done so much for Laney, but Laney wasn''t grateful at all. The siblings truly were cut from the same cloth. She wrapped her arms around herself and stood by the window for a long time, not noticing Antonio hade h "Grace, where''s Laney?" Startled, Grace quickly wiped away the dried tears from her face. "She went out to cat. I''m not feeling well, so I''m heading to bed." Grace didn''t want to talk to Antonio, though she had so many questions. Did he ever love her even for a moment in these three years? Even just a little? Was he really going to marry Ke? Did he not see ever Antonio, however, stopped her. "How many times do I have to tell you not to let her eat outside food? Are you really sick, or are you just throwing a tantrum? "It think I need to exin anything to you, but you can''t do this to ney. "She''s a senior at high school and needs healthy food. How could you let her eat the junk food out there?" Grace stared at Antonio, stupefied. This was the longest conversation they''d had in three years, yet every word out of his mouth was me. He didn''t sound like a husband speaking to his wife, but more like an employer reprimanding his maid. For the first time, Grace cried in front of him. She had been so good at dealing with his coldness with a smile, but now, she didn''t want et pretend anymore. She could feel sad. She could be jealous and angry. She could get sick and exhausted. Why would Antonio always take everything she did for granted? Couldn''t he see how much she had endured and how deeply she loved him? Or did he think she simply deserved this? "Antonio, I said I''m not feeling well. I''m sick. Is that not allowed?" Tears streamed down her face, and Grace stared at Antonio, hoping to see some guilt on his face. But there was none. "Grace, if you don''t want this anymore, just say it. We''re not -" "We''re not legally married anyway, so you can kick me out whenever you want, right?" Those words seemed to have hit a nerve, and Antonio''s face flushed. Grace waited for him to break up with her, but he just wiped away her tears with his hand. "What nonsense are you talking about? What do you want to eat? I''ll make it for you." Grace let out a bitterugh. What was he doing? Did he want to keep both women, one taking care of his daily needs and one enjoying hist love? But Grace didn''t want that. No matter how much she loved him, she still had her dignity. She couldn''t ept the filth in their rtionship, nor could she tolerate his deception. For the first time, Grace acted on her anger. She locked the door and started packing her things. Despite Antonio''s wealth, he had rarely ever bought her anything. He did give her a wedding ring, but that was something that Ke had rejected. Grace had to buy everything for herself. So, naturally, she was taking it all with her. Antonio didn''te in to bother her. They had always slept in separate rooms anyway, and for once, Grace was d for the silence. She didn''t have much stuff, and she had one more day to settle things at school. By the day after tomorrow, Shane woulde to pick her up. The Lies He Told Me 57 After packing her things, Gracey in bed, tossing and turning. Out of boredom, she checked her Instagram. Laney had just posted something two minutes ago. It was a selfie of Laney, Antonio, and Ke enjoy at a fancy restaurant. Ke nestled close to Antonio, while Laney pouted yfully. Even Grace had to admit they looked like the perfect family. "Thank you to my new sister-in- Only then did Grace realize Antonio was no longer at home. She put her phone away, knowing full well Laney had posted that for her to see. That girl didn''t know Grace had stopped caring since the moment sh She got up, turned on the living room light, and made herself some pasta. After an abortion, Grace needed nutritious food to recover. Antonio could have dinner with whoever she wanted. Grace just wanted to l Shane called while she was out on the balcony, letting the cold wind wash over her. "Grace, what are you doing? I''ll take a flight tomorrow night and pick you up the morning after." The message reminded Grace that she had promised to marry Shane. But she hesitated. She was not sure if she was still good enough for him. "Shane, there''s something I need to tell you. I was married, but not officially registered for marriage. I was pregnant, but I lost the baby today. Are you sure you still want me?" Waiting felt endless. She didn''t expect much. She and Shane hadn''t seen each other in seven years. The promise they had made back then was just a childish game. She never took it seriously. She wanted to leave Antonio, but she didn''t have to drag another person into it. She couldn''t be. ofish as to use Shane to heal her wounds. "Grace, all you did was have a rtionship, and it sounded like your ex-boyfriend was a scumbag. We will have kids in the future. So, have no reason not to marry you, unless you don''t want to marry me." Grace Noboost moved to tears. Nobody had ever said get romantic to her. Whether he it or not, she couldn''t wait to see this guy. "Shane, sounds like you''re not picky at all." Shaneughed heartily. Grace was trying to be funny, but he could. sense her sadness. For a moment, he wished he''d never gone abroad. "Grace, wait for me. We''ll go to city hall tomorrow morning." Grace let out a sigh of relief and nodded at the night sky. "OK, see you at city hall." The balcony had been opened, and Antonio stood there with a lunchbox in his hand. He overheard Grace''sst sentence. "Who are you meeting at city hall?" The Lies He Told Me 58 The first thing that popped into Antonio''s mind was that people went to City Hall to get married. But why would Grace go there? Grace looked down. If Antonio could marry someone else, why couldn''t she? But how was she supposed to tell him? Even now, he was still lying, treating her like a fool. "An old friend," she eventually replied. "A guy or a girl?" Grace was amused. Would he care if she hung out with another man? "A guy." Antonio''s face darkened. His grip on the lunchbox tightened, his knuckles turning white. "What are you two going there for?" Grace had thought about testing Antonio to see if he had any feelings for her at all, but she dropped the idea eventually. Even if he did have feelings for her, so what? It wouldn''t amount to a fraction of what he f "A consultation." With no intention of continuing the conversation, Grace turned to leave, only to bump into his lunchbox, sending the food spilling onto the floor. They both stood there in silence for a long moment. Then, Grace g "If you''re not feeling well, just go rest. I''ll clean it up." In the past, Grace never let him do any chores. But today, she simply walked away without a backward nce. Antonio''s hand froze mid- wipe. When he looked up again, she had already closed her bedroom door. A strange frustration crept into Antonio. Grace had been acting different these past two days. No more smiles, and no more phone calls. urging him home. She barely even talked to him. She used to love chattin After a long while of hesitation, Antonio knocked on Grace''s door. She opened the door and was surprised to see Antonio holding something freshly cooked in his hand. The food was still steaming, but she had no appetite for it. "The food spilled, so I made something else." "Thank you" Just as Grace took it, Laney appeared at the doorway. "Grace, you really missed out! The food that was spilled was very expensive. I barely had a few bites before my brother packed it up for you." Grace''s face paled. Was Laney saying that it was their leftovers? In their eyes, was she no better than a beggar on the street? Antonio noticed her reaction and tried to exin, but before he could, 11 Laney tugged him away. "Antonio. I need your signature for a school form." Grace stood there, holding the food, her fingers trembling. She shut the door and dumped all the food into the trash. This was the first time Antonio had ever made her food, but she felt no joy at all. Grace picked up her phone. Laney''s ss group chat was filled with notifications. Grace had always handled those before. After a long while of hesitation, she made onest reply and left the group. Antonio was also in the chat group. What happened next was no longer her concern. Just then, a message from Laney popped up. "Grace, do you have no shame? Why can''t you just let my brother go? He doesn''t love you. How long are you going to keep lying to yourself? Oh, and don''t bother responding to group messages from now on. I just added Ke to the chat group." Grace had put up with Laney''s attitude for years, thinking it was just immaturity. Antonio had also told Grace to be patient with his sister. After all, Laney had lost her mother at a young a However, after seeing how hard Laney had tried to get rid of her. Grace realized Laney wasn''t just rebellious or naughty. She was a real bitch. "I already left the chat group. Your business is no longer my concern. Tomorrow, Grace would finally cut ties with the two siblings. And surprisingly, Grace didn''t feel sad at all; instead, she felt relieved. After three years of being their doormat, it was time to start living for herself. The Lies He Told Me 59 The next morning, Grace went to school with Laney as usual. "Grace, did you hear? My brother asked Ke to be his date for thepany''s anniversary celebration tomorrow. The message is pretty clear, don''t you think?" Laney never liked Grace. Besides finding Grace too nosy, she could see her brother didn''t love Grace. "If you have any self-respect, you should let him go. He Ke.¡± When Antonio wasn''t around, Laney always spoke to Grace in a disrespectful tone. Grace was already used to it. "Laney, I''m leaving soon. Until then, don''t push your luck." Laney had never seen Grace lose her temper before. No one besides her brother had ever dared to talk to her that way. She was angry, but something told her that it was better not to piss Grace now. "You better mean it." The first thing Grace did upon arriving at school was submit her resignation. She gave away all her books to colleagues, taking only a few personal items. Out of the campus, Grace exhaled deeply. If not for Antonio, she never would have forced herself into a job she didn''t even like. Luckily, it had only been three years, not a lifetime. 1550M1 Chapterta On her way home, Grace took a detour past Antonio''spany. She was well- educated in finance, yet she had trapped herself at home for three years. Antonio had no idea that her dream was to work in a towering office building like this. "Antonio, how do I look in this dress? I don''t want to embarrass you at tomorrow''s celebration." "You won''t. You look good in anything." Just as Grace made her way outside, she overheard the conversation behind her. Without looking back, she quickened her pace. But Antonio noticed her. "Grace, what are you doing here?" Antonio jogged to catch up. Maybe it was just his imagination, but it felt like Grace had been avoiding himtely. Not that he was eager to see her, but this sudden shift unsettled him. "Aren''t you supposed to be at school with Laney?" Ke walked over as well. Grace could see the fury in her eyes, though Ke kept a sweet smile on her face. "Grace, Antonio and I are going to pick out our outfits for tomorrow. Would you care to join us?" Grace nced at Antonio. Every year, thepany held an anniversary celebration, and not once had he ever brought her as his date. "I''ll pass. I have something important to do tomorrow." Antonio, who had been looking awkward just moments ago, suddenly tensed up. "Grace, what''s this important thing? If you want toe, you can pick something with us-" "I won''t be attending. Antonio, I wish you both the best." Grace smiled and walked away briskly, no longer wanting to be the third wheel. Antonio chased after Grace again, ignoring Ke''s protests. "Grace, what are you hiding from me?" The more Antonio thought about it, the more agitated he became. This wasn''t like her. No matter how much he ignored her, she always. bounced back. But today, Grace seemed different. For the first time, Grace shook off his hand. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her clothes and then nced toward Ke in the distance. With a smile, she asked, "What about you, Antonio? Are you hiding something from me?" Her heart ached. No matter how many times Grace had tried to reason with herself, the pain and resentment still surged uncontrobly. When they had first married, she had longed for love and care like any other girl would. Antonio had given her nothing but cold indifference. Antonio''s face turned red. He realized Grace might have figured it out. He wasn''t heartless, but he owed Ke. "Grace, Ke and I-" "Enough. I don''t want to hear it." Tears slipped down her face. Grace used to smile so much, buttely, she had been crying far too often. "I have something to handle. Goodbye." Grace didn''t want to hear Antonio say it was over between them and that he would marry Ke. For the past Grace, it would be too cruel, and for the present Grace, it just didn''t matter anymore. The Lies He Told Me 60 On herst night at the Kaufman''s residence, Grace returnedte. She had met with Ke at Ke''s request. "How did you get my number?" Ke smirked. "Laney gave it to me, of course." Grace wasn''t surprised. Those two had always been close. "Just get to the point. I haven''t got all day." Ke scoffed. "It''s not like you have anything to do besides babysitting Laney. I hear Antonio has never touched you in the past three years. What are you still holding on to?" Under the table, Grace clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her flesh. The humiliation burned deep. Indeed, Antonio had never touched her, except that drunken night when he had kept calling out K that night had been far worse than the physical pain. Yet somehow, she had gotten pregnant because of that night. For a time, the child had made her reconsider leaving. But in the end, Antonio would never belong to her. "Let me be honest with you. Everything Laney did to you was my idea. How does that feel? You spent three years taking care of that girl, but she''s sick of you. Antonio is grateful for what you''ve done for his family, which is why he doesn''t have the heart to tell you to leave. "But Grace, do you really want to be with someone who doesn''t love you? What''s the point of it?" Grace struggled hard to stay calm as she responded. "Ke, you and Laney got what you wanted. I''ll leave." Grace stood up. She hadn''t lost to Ke or Laney, but she had lost to herself. She''d thought she could win Antonio over as long as she tried hard enough, but she failed, When Grace got home, Antonio was waiting at the door. "Why are you back sote?" Grace was usually the one waiting at home. This was the first time that Antonio had waited for her toe home, but it was also thest. "I was meeting with a friend." "Why was your phone off? Don''t you know my brother is waiting for you to eat? I''m starving." Laney grumbled as she started to gobble up the food that had been reheated three times. Grace only then realized her phone had died. "Sorry, the battery ran out." "Come cat." Antonio rarely cooked, but when he did, it was always delicious. Grace. had no appetite, but to avoid suspicion, she forced herself to sit down This would be herst meal with the Kaufman family. After dinner, Laney went straight to her room. Antonio was quiet. He opened his mouth several times but couldn''t bring himself to break up with Grace. In the end, Grace broke the silence. "Antonio, let''s break up." It was a breakup, not a divorce. Because they were not legally married. It had only ever been a one- sided love. The dream had ended, and it was time to wake up. Antonio''s hands froze as he cleared the table. The forks and spoons slipped from his grip, falling to the floor. He crouched down to pick them up, but for a long time, he didn''t stand. Grace grabbed a broom and quickly cleaned up the mess. After tidying the table, she turned back to Antonio, He was just as handsome as always. His eyshes were longer than hers, and when he smiled, there were faint dimples in his cheeks. But he rarely smiled at her. When he did, there was always a trace of distance in his eyes. And yet, despite everything, she had been crazy about him. "I know you don''t love me, so I''m letting you go." She smiled at him, but the smile no longer carried its usual passion. Antonio stared at Grace. He knew this smart girl would have figured it out by now. He had racked his brain toe up with a proper way to break up with her, but she just did it with ease. "Grace, I''m sorry." Grace waved it off with a smile. Antonio had never promised her anything, so there was nothing to apologize for "Actually, I''m grateful for these past three years. It''s not your fault. Your just don''t love me." Tears welled up in Grace''s eyes, eventually streaming down her face. Still, she kept a smile on her face, telling herself that this would be thest time she cried for Antonio. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 61 After Antonio and Laney left the house, Grace finally got out of bed. She tidied up the room, took out the luggage she had packed up, and took onest look at the house before turning to leave with a smile. Shane had been waiting downstairs for a while. At the sight of Grace, he grinned and gave her a big hug. "Grace, long time no see!" He held her tightly. Grace felt a bit ufortable, as she had never been this close to a man. Though they''d known each other for a long time, they hadn''t seen each other in seven years. "Shane, I can''t breathe. Let go!" Grace pushed him away irritably. They had known each other since birth, as close as siblings. If Shane hadn''t been sent abroad by his family, they might have gone to college together. Shane had matured a bit, but he still kept his carefree attitude. As for Grace, she had be even more beautiful than Shane gazed at her, his eyes glinting with a strong affection for Grace, just like when they were kids. Back then, when their grandmothers were still alive, the two kids would spend all their time together, studying be together forever, but they were never really together. "You look pale. Did you not sleep wellst night?" Shane asked. Grace sat in the passenger seat, resting her eyes. Indeed, she hadn''t slept well. Antonio hadn''t said a word after she proposed the breakupst night. But she knew that this was what he wanted. He''d been waiting for her to bring it up, giving her a chance to leave with dignity. "Yeah, I''m really tired." Shane remembered she had mentioned over the phone that she had just had an abortion. It seemed like she hadn''t taken good care of herself. He started the car and drove toward city hall. No matter what Gra When Grace woke up, they were already at the city hall. "Do you have your credentials ready?" Shane was pulling out his credentials as he asked her. Grace pursed her lips and looked at him. "Shane, let me ask you onest time. Are you sure you want to marry..." Before she could finish, he opened the car door and got out. "You''re not having second thoughts, are you? Toote for that. I''m making you Mrs. Larson today."" Without giving Grace a chance to react, Shane quickly opened the door and dragged her out. Grace had to trot to keep up as he pulled her into the office. It wasn''t until the official stamp was on the marriage certificate that Shane finally exhaled. Grace, however, felt a daze. How had she gone from staying at Antonio''s cest night to bing someone else''s wife today? "Mrs. Larson, congrattions! You''re lucky to have such a handsome husband." Shane picked her up and spun her around. He didn''t let go until Grace was dizzy, a big smile on his face. He had been wanting to marry Grace for sotong. It didn''t matter how many years they had missed out or whom she had once loved From now on, they would be with each other until death tore them apart. Grace gave Shane a fake punch, thinking this guy was still like a naughty kid. Suddenly, Grace''s phone vibrated. Laney just sent her a series of photos of Antonio and Ke standing in the spotlight, looking like the perfect couple. "Grace, only a woman like Ke deserves to be my sister-in- Grace smiled and asked Shane to hold up the two marriage certificates to cover half of their faces for a selfie She sent the photo to Laney before blocking her. She blocked Antonio''s number as well. She pulled Shane close by the cor and said slowly and clearly, "You''re mine from now on. If you dare to cheat behind my back, there will be consequences!" "How could I dare?" Shane smiled, his expression full of ttery. This was the Grace he knew, brave, independent, smart, and kind. Grace also felt like she had found her old self again. From now on, she didn''t have to work hard to please anyone. She was going to be the free- spirited Grace once more. The Lies He Told Me 62 Antonio was distracted throughout the anniversary celebration. He kept regretting that he hadn''tforted Gracest night. In the afternoon, he came to the school to pick up Grace. Laney told him Grace was working overtime. However, by the time all the teachers had left, there was still no sign of Grace. "Excuse me, has the English teacher, Grace Parrish, already left?" When thest teacher walked out, Antonio hurriedly approached and asked. The teacher thought for a moment and replied, "You mean Ms. Parrish? She resigned yesterday." Antonio couldn''t believe what he''d heard and asked again but received the same answer. Why would she resign suddenly? He called Grace, but the call wouldn''t go through. He felt parched, unable to even spe "Laney, is your sister-inw at home?" Laney took a moment to process and then realized her brother was asking about Grace. "You''re not married to her. She''s not my sister-inw." "I''m asking if Grace is at home." Antonio''s anger came through the phone, making Laney tremble. She knew her brother was really mad. "She''s not home." Antonio hung up the phone, thinking back on Grace''s strange behaviortely. She must have nned to leave for a while. She had no family, so where could she possibly go? Antonio kicked the tire of his car in Grace had helped him a lot in the past three years. Antonio felt guilty to her, and now, he didn''t even have the chance to make it right. Antonio didn''t get home until midnight. Laney was already asleep. He immediately spotted the keys Grace had left on the table. Without even taking off his shoes, he rushed to her room and pushed open the door. It was pitch dark inside. Antonio fumbled for the fight switch, hoping that when the light came on, he would see Grace lying in bed. But the bed was perfectly made, and the room was empty. His eyes fell on the ring on the bedside table. It was the one Antonio had put on Grace''s finger. Underneath the ring was a note. "Antonio, I wish you happiness!" Those word''s pierced Antonio''s heart like a knife. He had thought he felt nothing more than gratitude toward Grace, but why did his heart ache when he found out she was gone? Holding onto thest sliver of hope, he opened the wardrobe, but there was nothing left inside. Grace had vanished without a trace as if she had never been there at all. Antonio copsed to the floor, l.ne holding his head in his hands, his eyes red. He had never known that this girl could be so brave and decisive. Back then, she had asked him to marry her, saying she would take care of his ailing mother and look after his younger sister. Now, when she wanted a breakup, she left without hesitation. Antonio was supposed to be happy that he''d lost a burden, but he was not. The moment he learned Grace had left, his whole world started to fall apart. Antonio, what are you doing sitting on the floor?" Laney asked, still half asleep. It took a long time before Antonio finally lifted his head to look at Laney. "Laney, Grace left. She doesn''t want me anymore." Once the words left his mouth, Antonio understood why he felt so sad. Grace dumped him. The woman he''d ignored in the past three years dumped him. The Lies He Told Me 63 Thest time Laney saw Antonio so sad was when their mother passed away. She didn''t understand. Since her brother didn''t love Grace, wouldn''t it be for the better that Grace was gone? Antonio had once tho rejected by Ke ever had. "Antonio, now that she''s gone, you can marry Ke. This is good news. Why are you so sad?" Laney tried to pull Antonio to his feet, but he shook her hand off with force. "Laney, how could you say that? If it weren''t for her, Mom. wouldn''t have lived another six months, and you wouldn''t have been taken care of so well!" Laney found it unfair. Her brother had always been distant to Grace. He didn''t get to act like he was heartbroken or me her. "You''re the one to talk, Antonio. If you weren''t trying to get back together with Ke, would Grace have left?" Antonio looked guilty and lost. Yes, it was all his fault. If he hadn''t broken her heart, Grace wouldn''t have left despite loving him so deeply. "Antonio, Grace has gotten married to someone else." Laney ran into her room and grabbed her phone, showing Antonio the photo Grace had sent her. Antonio''s eyes turned red as he Battery power 15% Charge your tablet or tap here to turn on Power saving mod "Laney, where did you get this photo?" Laney clutched her phone so hard that her knuckles turned white. Although her brother spoiled her, she was afraid of him, just like every kid would be afraid of their parents. "She sent it to me today," she replied, trying to stay calm. Antonio immediately snatched the phone. Laney tried to grab it back, but his fierce re made her retreat. She reassured herself that her brother loved her so much that he wouldn''t hurt her even if he found ou Antonio checked the chat history between Laney and Grace. Starting from three days ago, Laney had been sending Grace pictures from Ke''s Instagram posts. "You probably haven''t followed Ke on Instagram, right? Don''t worry. I''ll make sure to forward all of her posts to you." "Grace, only a woman like Ke deserves to be my sister-in- Those words were harsh. In the photos, Ke was posing in their wedding house, dining at an upscale restaurant with Antonio, or standing beside him in the spotlight. Antonio looked up in confusion. So, had Grace found out everything? He went to Ke''s Instagram but couldn''t see any of the posts Laney had forwarded. It meant Ke had posted those things for Laney to see only, just so Laney would pass everything on to Grace. Outraged, Antonio pped Laney across the face hard and pinned her against the wall. "Laney, exin to me. What are all these?" he roared. Laney was so frightened that she shut her eyes to avoid his gaze. She didn''t dare say it hurt, tears pouring down her face. Antonio had neverid a hand on her before. Yet, for Grace, he just pped her. "Yes, I told her everything. I hate how she controls me, and I know you don''t love her! She doesn''t belong here!" Antonio raised his hand with the intention to p her again, but he mmed the wall instead. His hand was bleeding, but Antonio didn''t feel any pain. He walked out of the bedroom in a daze and copsed onto the couch. Laney hurried to fetch the first aid kit to treat his wound. Antonio seemed unaware of the pain. When Laney finished, she sat next to him and cried. Only then did he look up at her. "Laney, we both owe Grace an apology." Laney didn''t respond, just silently gazing at him. "When Mom was sick, she wanted to see me get married, but Ke rejected me. It was Grace who said she would marry me and take care of Mom. "I never gave her mymitment, not even a marriage certificate, but she still took care of you for three years, putting up with your bad. tempen Even Mom couldn''t tolerate your tantrums, but did Grace ever raise her voice at you?" Laney''s tears flowed faster. She had always thought that Grace was taking advantage of them, but now she realized that it was Grace who had been taking care of her all along. Antonio didn''t say anything else. A single tear fell onto Laney''s hand, and Laney looked up in surprise. Her brother, who had only cried at their mother''s funeral, was now shedding tears for Grace. Laney silently returned to her room. On the wall was the countdown to her SAT test, with words of test, encouragement from Grace. Then et desk was filled with study materials Grace had collected for her. And the nt was something Grace had given her to help her rx her eyes. Her backpack, stationery, clothes, and shoes were all bought by Grace. How had she never noticed how much of Grace was around her? The person she had hated the most had done so much for her. The Lies He Told Me 64 Antonio examined Grace''s photo, refusing to believe that she was married to someone else. He told himself she must have doctored the image to make him stop looking for her. He had to find her and apologize. Ke had learned about Grace''s departure from Laney yesterday. With Grace out of the way, she believed she could finally be with Antonio. Early in the morning, she came to see him. "Antonio, why did you leave in such a rush yesterday? I called you, but you didn''t answer." Laney had told Antonio yesterday that it was Ke who had followed her on Instagram first. Ke imed that she and Antonio had once been a couple, but Grace had broken them up. Laney had always disliked Grace, and hearing how Grace had ruined her brother''s happiness only fueled that hatred. So, she had decided to help Ke get rid of Grace and reunite her brother with Ke. However, everything Ke had said turned out to be a lie. Antonio studied Ke carefully. In his memories, she had always been pure and kind, not the kind of person who would hurt others. But he also knew Laney wasn''t a liar. Everything he''d learned yesterday told him that Ke might not be who he thought she was. "Now that Grace is gone, you must be happy, right?" Ke''s smile froze on her face. Why would Antonio say that? She feigned hurt, her eyes misty. "Antonio, what do you mean by that? Are you saying that I have something to do with Grace''s leaving?" Antonio twirled the pen in his hand, eyes fixed on Ke. All the fond memories of their past came crashing down. "Ke, you know what you did." Ke became nervous, realizing that Laney might have said something to him. But she had never given Laney any specific instructions. All she did was give Laney a few hints, and Laney did everything all on her own. "Antonio, are you in love with Grace?" The pen slipped from Antonio''s hand and fell to the floor, the room falling into a heavy silence. Antonio looked up and finally understood why he felt such pain. Yes, he had probably fallen in love with Grace without realizing it. Ke figured out the answer from his reaction and felt her anger boil. She had thought that once Grace was out of the picture, she would be able tobe with Antonio. But Antonio was in love with Grace. How Could that be? He had promised to marry her. ?wnovel "Antonio, your feelings for Grace are nothing more than just gratitude. Didn''t we agree to get married after thepany anniversary? We can go to the city hall now..." "Ke, I won''t marry you. I''m sorry." Without waiting for her response, Antonio rushed out the door. All he wanted was to find Grace, apologize, and tell her how foolish he had been to not realize his feelings for her. Antonio buckled his seatbelt and started the car, but then, he turned off the engine in frustration. The city was sorge, and he had no idea where Grace could be. Maybe she wasn''t even in the city anymore. He started the ea ear again. He needed to find Grace right away, not to apologize, but to confess his feelings Antonio imagined how surprised she would be if she knew he loved her too. Once he told her he loved her, she would surely forgive him. Antonio checked for flights, trains, and buses, but he found nothing that could lead him to Grace. She seemed to have vanished. It wasn''t until the early hours of the morning that Antonio returned home. The house felt eerily empty He missed the days when Grace would keep the light on and bring him a cup of tea no matter howte he came home. Now, the house was dark and silent, and he was all alone. Grace hadn''t had a good night''s sleep in a long time. It took her a moment to realize she was in Shane''s vi. They were married now. "Grace, breakfast is ready." The bedroom door opened, and Shane''s smiling face came into sight. Grace''s heart warmed, and she realized it had been years since anyone had made breakfast for her. The table wasid with her favorite food, something her grandmother used to cook every day. Grace hadn''t had this in three years, as she had to go with the Kaufman siblings'' food preferences. She watched Shane pull up a chair for her. Everything felt just like the old days. She lowered her head and smiled. Maybe Shane wasn''t such a bad choice after all. The Lies He Told Me 65 "Grace, I''m always a bit busy with work, but you need a good rest after your abortion. So, I''ve hired someone to cook for you. Next month, I''ll take you to meet my parents." In Grace''s memories, Shane''s parents were always busy, traveling for business all the time. Shane and she had been neighbors for 18 years, but she had only met them twice. She could barely remember their faces now. "I don''t need that much rest. I want to work." Shane shook his head. "You can work anytime. But if you don''t take care of your body, you''ll regret itter." As carefree as Shane might seem, he could be stubborn sometimes. Once he decided something, no one could change his mind. Grace gave up protesting, for she knew he was just looking out for her. Now that they were married, they had to understand and support each other. "Fine, but I have to study, or I''ll be bored at home." Shanepromised, nodding in agreement. During the next month, Grace put all her energy into studying. She found that she hardly thought about Antonio anymore. Sometimes, she even wondered if her three years with him had been love or just an obsession. Well, that didn''t matter anymore. She had a new life now. Antonio was probably married to Ke by now, and that was fine. There was no drama, no tearing each other apart. This was probably the most peaceful breakup in the world. "Shane, will this outfit look too casual? I''m worried your parents might not like it." Grace was adjusting her clothes in front of the mirror. Shane was taking her to meet his parents today, and she was nervous. Patience thinning out, Shane finally swatted her hands away as she continued to adjust her clothes. "Honey, you look great. Whether they like it or not doesn''t matter. As long as I like it, that''s all that matters." Grace should have been used to Shane''s sweet talks by now, but her face still blushed. In the past, Antonio had barely looked her in the eye, letalone said anything that made her blush. Unlike him, Shane expressed his love all the time. C¨®ntent "Shane, I still don''t understand. Why do you like me?" Shane froze, not sure how to answer. He seemed to have liked Grace since forever. He didn''t know when it started, and he didn''t know why. He just liked her. "I don''t know. Grace, do you think we need a reason to like someone?" Grace was stupefied by his question. Why had she liked Antonio? No specific reason. But if she stopped liking someone, there definitely was a reason. With a smile, Grace took Shane''s hand. All of that was in the past. From now on, she just wanted to enjoy being loved. It was something life owed her, so Shane musthave been sent by fate. Shane''s parents liked Grace a lot. They didn''t care about social status or family background. The two kids had grown up together, and their son loved Grace, so they had no objections. "Grace, I hear you want to work at the Larson Group?" Shane''s mother, Maria Larson, asked. Grace nodded. Maria''s warm smile erased the anxiety she had felt earlier. After a month of rest, it was time for her to start her new life. "That''s great! Shane''s father and I have been wanting to retire for a while, but we''re worried about this troublemaker. With you keeping an eye on him, we can finally enjoy our retirement." Grace officially joined the Larson Group and became Shane''s assistant. Everyone knew she wasz the CEO''s wife, so no one dared to give her a hard time. Of course, her performance also proved that she was qualified for the position. The Lies He Told Me 66 Antonio searched for over a month but still couldn''t find Grace. He seemed to have turned into a different person ever since Grace left. He moved into Grace''s bedroom and began to look after Laney like Grace used to, picking her up and dropping her off at school, cooking for her, and tutoring her. Everything seemed perfectly normal on the surface, but Laney knew her brother wasn''t happy. He had be even colder than before. Laney deleted Ke''s contact, though Ke had been trying to reach out to her. She began to realize that maybe Ke just wasn''t right for her brother. Antonio had trouble sleeping at night. He carried the wedding ring Grace had left behind with him all the time, hoping for a chance to put it back on her finger and tell her how deeply he loved her. Grace was at a party with Shane, surrounded by business giants. She hadn''t expected to run into Antonio here, especially since they didn''t live in the same city. "Grace, this is delicious. Try it." Just as Grace took a bite of the cake in Shane''s hand, she was suddenly pulled into another embrace. She could feel his heartbeat racing and his body trembling. As soon as Grace recognized the familiar scent, she pushed him away. Antonio stared at her with misty eyes, surprised by her reaction. He''d been searching for so long, and now when he finally stumbled upon her, she just pushed him away. "Grace, where have you been? I''ve been looking for you everywhere." His hoarse voice made Grace instinctively take a step back. She had almost forgotten him. Why would he be looking for her? They had already broken up. "Mr. Kaufman, long time no see." Grace''s voice was distant yet polite. She returned to Shane, taking his hand. "Let me introduce, this is my husband, Shane Larson." Antonio''s joy turned to shock. Shane looked so much like the man in the photo. Could her marriage certificate be real? "Shane, this is Mr. Antonio Kaufman." Shane figured this must be the jerk who had hurt Grace deeply. With a cold smile, Shane wrapped his arm around Grace''s shoulders and extended his hand to Antonio. "Mr. Kaufman, nice to meet you. So you know my wife?" Antonio felt pain in his hand, and he could see hostility on Shane''s smiling face. Antonio nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on Grace. She had put on some weight and looked much healthier than before. He didn''t want to admit it, but it seemed like Grace was living better without him. While Shane was talking to someone else, Antonio pulled Grace aside into a dim corner. He wanted to tell her how much he missed her and how much he loved her, but those words somehow got stuck in his throat. s?novel "Mr. Kaufman, if there''s nothing else, I have to leave. My husband probably missed me already." "Grace, could you stop calling him your husband just to provoke him?" Grace smiled at Antonio''s begging tone. Why would she provoke him? They had already broken up. "Mr. Kaufman, you must have seen that photo. I am married." "I know it''s fake. Did you do this to get back at me? Grace, I looked for you everywhere. I want to apologize. I.....¡± Antonio looked hurting, but Grace couldn''t care less. "I didn''t do this to get back at you. I just wanted to get married." She had waited for three years and never heard Antonio say he loved her. But Shane had only needed one morning to make her his wife. That was when Grace realized being happy was not that hard, as long as she found the right man. "But you already married me." "Not for real! Besides, you always wanted to marry Ke." Antonio shook his head, his hands gripping Grace''s shoulders. How could he make her believe he loved her? "That was before. Grace, I don''t want to marry her anymore. I only want you. Pleasee back to me. I''ll make up for all the wrongs I did to you. You still love me, don''t you?" Antonio fumbled nervously, pulling out the ring. "Look, here''s our wedding ring. I''ve kept it with me. Let me put it back on your finger. We''ll go back to the way things were, and I''ll learn to be a good husband." Grace sighed and put the ring on her finger. Then, she put her finger upside down, and the ring slipped off and fell to the floor. Antonio tried to pick it up but then noticed the cold smile on Grace''s face. "Antonio, this ring was never meant for me. I forced myself to wear it for three years, thinking I could get used to it and make you fall in love with me. However, when I saw you and Ke in the hospital, I knew it was time to stop deceiving myself. You should wake up too." The sound of the ring dropping seemed like a curse, freezing Antonio in ce. Grace walked away without a backward nce. The Lies He Told Me 67 As soon as Grace entered the hall, Shane pulled her into the stairwell, pressing her against the wall, his warm breath on her face. This was the first time she was this close to Shane, and it felt like all she had to do was look up and their lips would meet. "Is he the man? What did you two talk about?" In the dim light, Grace saw his nose was red, and his eyes were filled with unease. Suddenly, she felt a slight twinge in her heart. Over the past month, Shane had been nothing but good to her, never asking about her past. If Antonio hadn''t shown up and Shane hadn''t had any drinks, he would probably have kept his feelings bottled up for the rest of his life. Grace stood on tiptoe, gently touching his lips. "He told me he regrets it and wants me to forgive him, but I..." Before Grace could finish, Shane kissed her aggressively. A moment ago, when he realized Grace wasn''t around, his heart skipped a beat. He was afraid Grace would divorce him and get back together with that jerk. Their kiss was awkward but filled with passion. Grace''s hand rested on his back, both afort and a sign of deep affection. "Grace, can we go home?" Shane carried Grace in his arms, his stomach filled with butterflies. His desire for her was stronger than ever before. Antonio chased over, only to see Shane leaving with Grace in his arms. Tears welled up in Antonio''s eyes. It seemed like he and Grace had missed out on each other again. The ring dug into his palm, but he felt no pain. He wasn''t ready to give up yet. "Shane, are you jealous?" Back home, Shane rushed into the bedroom with Grace in his arms. Seeing his reddened eyes, Grace asked with concern. "Yes, I''m jealous. So, Mrs. Larson, how are you gonna make it up to me?" Shane had held back before because Grace was still recovering. However, after Antonio''s appearance today, he couldn''t wait anymore. Grace blushed as she began to undress him. She had no experience in this. The one time with Antonio had been painful but she knew this day would eventuallye. She kissed Shane''s body gently, clumsily, yet igniting his most primal desires. Shane rolled over and pinned her beneath him. His voice hoarse as he asked, "Grace, may I?" Grace nodded, her cheeks as red as tomatoes. The next second, Shane kissed her aggressively. He had waited for this moment for so long. But then, he heard Grace''s painful moan and frowned in surprise. "You..." Grace pressed her lips together, avoiding his gaze. "Shane, I have no experience. The only time was when Antonio got drunk, so it still hurts a bit." Shane''s heart ached, and he held her tightly, slowing his pace to amodate her. He hadn''t expected that Grace and Antonio hadn''t truly had sex after living together for three years. He hated himself for listening to his parents and going abroad. If he and going abroad. If he left for so many years Grace have been hurt so much. Afterward, Gracey in Shane''s arms, sore all over. "Shane, are you still jealous?" Shane smiled, rolling over for another passionate kiss. He didn''t care about her past as long as Grace loved him. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 68 Antonio sat alone in the corner of the bar, Grace''s words constantly ying in his mind like a knife stabbing his heart. He kept drinking, one ss after another. "Antonio? Why are you here drinking alone? Don''t get yourself wasted, or Grace will have to pick you up again likest time." Someone approached Antonio. It was the bar owner, a friend of Antonio''s. Antonio hade here alone the day Ke had returned to the country. That night, he and Ke had slept together. But Grace didn''te to pick him up, did she? "What are you talking about? Wasn''t it Ke who picked me upst time?" At the time, Antonio had been in love with Ke but unable to set aside. his pride. He remembered he''d drunk a lot that night, and Ke hade to pick him up. They''d had sex, which was why he decided to The bar ownerughed, patting him on the back. "What are you talking about? I even recorded a video of you that day for fun, but I forgot to send it to you." Antonio frowned as he took the phone. In the video, he could barely walk from being so drunk, and Grace was using her small frame to help him out of the bar. Antonio''s eyes widened. So that night, it wasn''t Ke; it was Grace! He rushed out of the bar in a frenzy. He remembered waking up the next morning in a hotel across from the bar. He could check the survei Chesterzs footage to see what really happened that night. Luckily, the hotel still had records from that night. Sure enough, it was Grace who had checked in. He watched as the footage showed Grace quietly leaving the hotel early the next morning. But why did he wake Antonio continued watching. About two minutes after Grace left. Ke arrived with the hotel manager and opened his room door. That exined everything. Ke had yed him. Antonio suddenly remembered Grace''s phone call about full anesthesia and their encounter in the hospital. Had she really been there just for a friend? Or had it been the one having surgery? Panicked. Antonio rushed to the hospital and checked Grace''s medical records. When he saw that she had undergone an abortion, Antonio copsed to the floor, sobbing The woman who had loved him so deeply had given up their child. Grace must have known he was go The doctor said she didn''t have a family to be there for her, so she could only opt for local anesthesia to stay awake. Given how much Grace was afraid of pain, it must have been agony for her. Antonio had never hated himself more. He didn''t know how he got home. Laney looked at him with concern but was too frightened to ask what had happened. "Lancy, do you know? You were about to be an aunt, but Grace... she had. an abortion. She left me, and she got rid of our child!" Laney didn''t understand what he was saying until she saw the medical records in his hand. She was confused. How could Grace be pregnant if Grace and her brother didn''t even sleep together? "Antonio, are you sure? Is Grace''s baby yours?" Antonio told his sister everything. For the first time, Laney realized how devious people could be. She''d thought Ke loved her brother, but instead, Ke had pretended to be Grace just to marry him. "But why would Ke do this? Didn''t she dump you before?" Antonio wanted to know the same thing. He had just called his assistant to investigate Ke''s life abroad. After midnight, his assistant called back. "Mr. Kaufman, Ke has an illegitimate child abroad. The child is seriously ill, and she can''t afford the medical expenses. I guess she wants to marry you and use your money to save her son." Antonio could barely stand when he heard the truth. It urred to him that his pursuit of being with Ke had cost the child of him and Grace. His heart was pierced with pain. He realized what a bastard he had been. The thought that Ke still lived in the house he shared with Grace. enraged him. Ke was asleep when Antonio dragged her out of bed. His rage frightened her, but she didn''t know Antonio already knew the truth. "Antonio, what''s going on?" she yed dumb. Antonio pped her face hard. ¡°Ke, you have a child. Why are you still trying to destroy my rtionship with Grace? How could you be so evil?" Ke stared at him in terror. Antonio had always been gentle with her. She believed he would understand after hearing her exnation, but he wouldn''t listen. "Get out. Get out now!" "Antonio, please let me exin..." Antonio dragged Ke to the door, throwing her things outside. She cried and begged, but he ignored her. Not only did Antonio me Ke but he also hated himself. If he hadn''t foolishly held onto his feelings for Ke, Grace would never have left him. The Lies He Told Me 69 Antonio looked around the empty vi, all decorated in the style Ke liked. Even if he married Grace back then, he didn''t care about her preferences. It was the same as his home, with Grace''s things all gone. He threw away anything rted to Ke and sold the vi as quickly as possible. He didn''t want toe back here again. Antonio wanted to exin everything to Grace. However, in the blink of an eye, it was time for Laney to take the SAT. Over the past few months, no one helped her study or took care of her emotions and life. As a result, her grades plummeted. Not surprisingly, her SAT grades only allowed her to be admitted into somemunity colleges. Antonio nned to send her abroad so that at least she could still go to college. Ever since they knew the truth, their feelings of guilt towards Grace had been growing. After Laney''s exam, they found Grace. Meanwhile, Grace''s career was doing good, and her rtionship with Shane was gradually warming up. She had never been in a serious rtionship before, and they got to know and love each other after they "Grace." Just off work, Grace was blocked by Antonio and Lancy at thepany entrance. She thought Antonio would nevere to her again. Therefore, she was very surprised to see hime to her again with Land "Laney, you shouldn''t havee with your brother. I have no more rtionship with you two." Her words made Laney burst into tears. She knew Grace must hate her, for she had wronged her so much and even worked with Ke to drive her away. "I''m sorry, it''s all my fault. I didn''t know about Ke''s plot. I didn''t know my brother liked you..." Grace smiled. She didn''t understand what Laney was saying, and she didn''t care. "I ept your apology, but that''s it. I don''t want to know anything more. You two should leave now." Seeing more and more people were getting off work, Antonio pulled. Grace away, determined to exin everything to her today. "Antonio, let go of me!" Grace shook off his hand. She was afraid that if Shane saw this, he would get jealous again. Antonio exined, "I already know you had an abortion. I''m sorry, I didn''t know it was you at the hotel that night. Key next to me after you left, so I thought I had sex with her That''s why I married her. "If I had known it was you, and you were pregnant, I wouldn''t have...". Grace sneered, "You wouldn''t have what? You wouldn''t have been thinking about Ke all the time? Antonio, I''m sure that if you knew it was me that night, you would hate me even more. As for that child, even. if I hadn''t had the abortion, you would have forced me to do so to please Ke. After all, I''m nothing in your heart, right?" When mentioning all this, Grace was no longer in pain. She had long walked out of that sadness, leaving time to heal her wounds. "Grace, that''s not true. My brother really likes you. He just realized it toote. After you left, he wasn''t himself anymore. He really knows he was Wrong. Grace, please go home with us." Antonio nodded in agreement. He wanted to hold Grace''s hand, but he was afraid that she would resist and then hurt herself. "Grace, I''ll love you very much in the future. Can you give me a chance. ande back to me?" Grace wanted to tell him that there was no more chance between them. After he made the mistake, there was no more turning back in their rtionship. At that moment, Shane walked over. When Grace saw him, her expression changed instantly. She thought he was still working overtime at thepany. "She''s my wife, so why should she go with you guys?" He pulled Grace into his arms. He was clearly very displeased to see Antonio entangle Grace again. Grace felt his anger and took the initiative to speak up to break the awkwardness. "Antonio, I have already married Shane. My time with you guys is over. From now on, don''te to me again. I don''t want to see you." After speaking, she took Shane''s hand, and the wedding rings on both their fingers shone brightly, making Antonio''s heart ache. "I am very happy now. Both the ring and the person fit me well.¡± The Lies He Told Me 70 As soon as Shane saw Antonio, he couldn''t hold back his anger anymore. He had always felt wronged for Grace, and today was finally his chance to avenge her. "Antonio, if you keep bothering Grace, I won''t spare you!" Antonio wasn''t afraid of Shane''s threat at all. He believed that as long as Grace still loved him, nothing could keep them apart. "Grace. I know Laney and I didn''t treat you well before. And even if you are married, I won''t give up. I know you''lle back to me one day." Antonio''s tone was very confident, but Shane felt annoyed. He couldn''t help but think, "Is he trying to provoke me? I''m Grace''s legitimate husband, not him, okay? What qualifications does he have to ask Grace With that in mind, Shane mocked, "Antonio, aren''t you ashamed? Grace has been with you for three years, and you didn''t even register for marriage with her. Now you''ve finally found out everything, you actually want her back again. You think she''s a maid who has to always follow your order?" The more Shane spoke, the angrier he got. He cherished Grace very much, so he could never forgive Antonio for what he had done to her. Also, he couldn''t understand how Antonio still had the face to beg for forgiveness. Antonio didn''t back down. He was determined to win Grace back. "This is between Grace and me, none of your business!" As soon as Antonio finished speaking, Shane''s fist hit his face. "But she''s my wife now, and it''s legal!" Antonio wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He had always wanted to fight Shane, thinking that Shane could neverpare with him. After all, Shane and Grace had only been together for a few days. but he had been with Grace for three years. He spat out some blood and was a Antonio looked at her in disbelief and slowly released his clenched fists. He couldn''t believe that she was really going to break uppletely with him for another man. Grace shouted at him, "Antonio, wake up! I don''t love you anymore. and I don''t want to have anything to do with you! "Who I love now is Shane, mywful husband." Antonio''s tears fell, and he walked step by step towards Grace. He thought. "Back then, she took the initiative to marry me. She became the light that had once shone on my dark moments, the light I had ignored. Is it about to disappear?" Thinking of that, he said, "Grace, I''m sorry, I''m sorry..." There were no more words that could express his regret. Antonio knew Grace didn''t want to hear it, but he just couldn''t let her go. He wanted to win her back and make her happy, but she didn''t want him anymore. At this point, he finally realized that Grace had already found her own happiness. "Antonio, Laney, I forgive everything you''ve done to me. However, if you want to hurt Shane, I won''t allow it." After speaking, Grace pulled Shane away. She was really scared just now. She was afraid Shane would get hurt. When she saw Antonio''s bleeding mouth, Grace no longer felt distressed. At this point, she realized she had already moved on. "Grace. I''m sorry. I was too impulsive just now, but I''m really happy that you protected me." Shane smiled triumphantly. Seeing the look of disappointment in Antonio''s eyes, he knew he had won, not only the fight but also Grace''s favor. "Shane, if you act so impulsively next time, I''ll just leave you alone." "I promise. I won''t." Shane smiled sweetly at her. In fact, his promise was on the condition that Antonio wouldn''t bother them again. Antonio sat helplessly on a bench, and Laney was crying beside him. When Grace stepped up and protected Shane just now, she clearly saw that all the light in Antonio''s eyes had faded. She knew Antonio must love Grace deeply, or he wouldn''t be so hurt. Unfortunately, everything seemed irretrievably over. Actually, if Laney had known Antonio''s true feelings earlier, she wouldn''t have been so hard on Grace. However, it was toote to do anything now. After all, even Antonio didn''t understand it until Grace had left. The Lies He Told Me 71 After Ke was driven away by Antonio, she still didn''t give up. She thought Antonio had always loved her and since thest time at the hotel. was fake, she decided to set up a real one. In the dimly lit bar, Antonio sat alone in the corner drinking. He had been busy with Laney''s study abroad ns and barely paid attention to his work. Grace''s departure hit him harder than Ke''s back then. He "Take this drink to that gentleman over there." Ke pushed a ss of wine towards a waiter. She was determined to get Antonio tonight. Antonio felt hot all over and restless. He tried to get up but fell into a soft embrace. Groggy, he seemed to see Grace. "Grace, is that you? Have youe to take me home?" Ke didn''t speak, just nodded. She helped Antonio out and took him to the room she had booked in advance. At this point, Antonio couldn''t tell who he was holding. His longing for Grace was at its peak. "Grace, I really, really love you. So, you''vee back, right?" He kissed the person underneath him, someone he had dreamed of seeing. However, when he smelled Ke''s unique perfume, he suddenly came to his senses. He rushed into the bathroom and doused hims "Why is it you? Ke, do you have any shame?" Ke wasn''t angry. She got up and pushed Antonio down. She then said. "As long as I can have you, I don''t care about shame. Antonio, when you had sex with Grace that day, you called my name, didn''t you? "So. today. I won''t mind if you take me as her..." Antonio pushed her down and pped her twice. Ke could no longer keep her seductive demeanor. She couldn''t believe that even under the influence of drugs, Antonio could still control himself. In fact, she I "Antonio, didn''t you love me? Now that I''m offering myself to you, why don''t you want me?" Antonio red at her with disgust. He had once loved her deeply. However, that was because he didn''t realize his true feelings and her viciousness. "Ke. I was blind to love such a scum like you. You will pay for what you''ve done." He took advantage of his sobriety and left unsteadily. Meanwhile, he said to himself, "Grace, in this world, no one deserves my love except you. I just want to guard you as you once guarded me, but why won''t you give me a chance?" It started raining heavily outside. Antonio ran into the rain. The cold rain extinguished the agitation caused by the drugs. His heart was as cold as his body, and he fell into a fever that night. "Antonio, let''s go to the hospital!" Antonio returned home drenched. After Laney helped him change his clothes, she found his body temperature was burning up. Antonio was her only family, so she was afraid something would happen to him. However, Antonio stubbomly believed this was his punishment, saying that a fever was nothingpared to Grace enduring a ruthless abortion alone. "Laney. I''m fine. Go get some antipyretics, and I''ll be okay after taking it." Laney rushed out to find the med kit. However, when she opened it, she found there were no more antipyretics. At that moment, she finally remembered that Grace used to regrly rece expired drugs. However, after she left. no one took care of these trivial matters. Dejectedly, she took out some money, grabbed an umbre, and went out to buy medicine. As she walked, she cried bitterly, regretting that they had lost such a wonderful family. Seeing Antonio in pain, she suff Antonio had a fever for three days. In a daze, he often mistook Laney for Grace. With no other choice, Laney could only call 911 and take him to the hospital. However, Antonio was not cooperative with the treat "Antonio, take your medicine, okay? If you continue like this, how can I rest assured and go study abroad?" Antonio stared nkly out the window. He only turned his gaze when he heard Laney crying. Those days when he was ill, he often thought it would be better to el ne die. The next moment, he realized that he still had a sister, and he couldn''t leave her alone so cruelly? The Lies He Told Me 72 Antonio''s condition was getting better, and Lancy''s departure date for studying abroad was set. Before she left, the person she worried about the most was Antonio. She knew Grace wouldn''te back, but she still wanted to try. "Grace." Laney only knew her workce, so she waited downstairs for her to get off work. When Shane saw Laney, he couldn''t help but frown. Meanwhile, Grace felt a little relieved when she saw Laney alone. "Shane. go home first. I''ll talk to her." Grace took Laney to a restaurant and ordered her favorite dishes, but Laney just sat there in tears. She was touched that Grace had always been good to her and still remembered what she liked to eat even now. At the same time, she was sad that she and Antonio had let her down. "Silly girl, stop crying and have some food. I can hear your stomach growling." Grace was living a very good life now, so naturally, she no longer hated them. She knew neither Laney nor Antonio was a bad person. They just weren''t meant to be a family. "Grace, I''m going abroad." Grace nodded. "So, you came to say goodbye?" Laney nodded, then shook her head. Then she continued, "My brother was sick recently, very sick. He kept calling your name, refusing to take his medicine or go to the hospital. He''s lost a lot of weight. Before I go, I''m most worried about him. "Without you, he didn''t eat well or sleep well. He''s been torturing himself every day. Grace, I know you''re happy now, but can you help me persuade him? I''m really worried about him." Grace was taken aback. She didn''t expect Antonio to really have feelings. for her. If it was before, she would have been overjoyed. However, she no longer wanted his love. "Laney, rtionships are adult matters, and you may still be too young to understand that. I know you''re worried about him. However, for some things, he just has to face them himself. No one can rely on others for a lifetime." Grace had once thought she would stay with them for a lifetime. However, for just three years, she was hurt deeply by Antonio. At that time, she even thought she would be trapped in the pain caused by him. for the rest of her life. Unexpectedly, she met Shane, which meant there were infinite possibilities in life. Therefore, she believed that Antonio would also meet someone else. After walking Laney off, Grace saw Shane waiting at the restaurant door. "Didn''t I say I can go home by myself?" Grace walked towards him with a smile. "With your husband here, why are you going home alone?" Shane also smiled. Meanwhile, he thought, "Of course I have to pick her up because I''m afraid that if I wasn''t careful enough, she would be taken away by them. Looks like I must work harder." That night, Shane couldn''t have enough of Grace, as if trying to squeeze her into his life. "Shane, I''m tired." He held her in his arms and coaxed her, "Onest time, okay?" He wanted Grace to get pregnant as soon as possible, thinking that with a child, he might be able to tie her downpletely. Grace knew his unease because he always held her hand while sleeping. She was d to meet Shane at her darkest moment, so she could bear toget angry with him. Although him, she oftenined aber gradually, she loved Shane more than she used to do with Antonio. "Shane. I love you very, very much." Shane''s eyes suddenly reddened, and he held her tighter. He had waited for so long for Grace to say she loved him. Even though it took so many years, he felt it was worth it. The Lies He Told Me 73 On Shane''s birthday, Grace gave him a special gift. "What is it?" Grace didn''t speak but just smiled. When Shane opened it, he was so happy that he couldn''t even speak. It was a pregnancy test clearly showing that Grace was eight weeks pregnant, and it was twins. "Grace, are you pregnant with my child? And even twins?" Shane''s voice trembled with excitement. He finally knew why Grace had been avoiding him recently, and they hadn''t had sex for quite some time. "Congrattions, Mr. Larson, you''re going to be a dad, a dad of twins." Shane held Grace''s hand, his eyes slightly red. "Grace, thank you." Grace held his hand tightly as well. Meanwhile, she said in her heart, "Shane, I should be the one thanking you. You saved me when I was most helpless and most heartbroken." Sitting behind them, Antonio heard that Grace was pregnant, and his fingers trembled. He couldn''t help but think, "Is she going to have kids? Then I will never have a chance to win her back, right?" Antonio swa Now, she was pregnant with Shane''s kids, and soon they would be a family of four. Antonio felt he no longer had any reason to do so. Ever since Antonio was drugged by Ke, he had locked her. Being set up by her, he decided to give her a tough lesson. "Antonio. I was wrong. Will you let me go? My son is waiting for me!" Antonio exhaled a puff of smoke, making Ke cough uncontrobly. He started smoking after Grace left him. Before that, Grace never allowed. him to smoke. When Grace was watching over him, he felt bothe "I never know you will also love someone. But Ke, even if you borrowed money from me, I would lend it to you. Why did you have to drive Grace away? To put it bluntly, you are just greedy and can never be satisfied. All you love is yourself. A person like you doesn''t deserve to be a mother!" Ke was speechless. She thought, "Indeed, my return was not just for my son. That child''s illness has long been incurable, but I''m still young Seeing Antonio more mature and more sessful, I somewhat had immoral thoughts. I only care about myself. Just like three years ago when I refused to marry Antonio for the sake of my future, now I''m naturally willing to hurt others in order to marry him." Seeing her silence, Antonio said, "To be honest, I already know child is dead, just when you climbed into my bedst month. your "Ke, I said I would make you pay for what you''ve done, and I will keep my word." Ke cried and begged, kneeling on the ground and banging her head. "Antonio, I was really wrong. Please let me go. I won''t bother you anymore." Antonio sneered in his heart, "She may not know that I''m not a kind person. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have been able to be so sessful within just a few years in business." Then he said, "Ke, your begging is useless. You deserve it." Antonio had her sold to a remote slum. It was said that there were many bachelors in that slum. However, Antonio didn''t care at all what kind of suffering Ke would face there. Antonio returned to his cold home alone. Laney had gone abroad. Grace had left. and now he was the only one living there. He was rich but he had no love. Many women liked him, but none of them liked him for whot he was. They were all after his money. He wondered if there would still be so many women pursuing him if he lost all his money. However, Grace was different. She never spent his money. She never even epted any jewelry from him, except for that ill-fitting ring. "Grace, no one loves me anymore but you." The Lies He Told Me 74 "Honey, thank you so much!" Shane kissed Grace''s forehead, his eyes filled with tears. It took him a long time to lift his head. Grace had just given birth to twins, a boy and a girl. They were now a family of four. He knew Grace was very ser "Who do the kids look like?" Grace asked with a smile. "They look like both of us." Hearing that, Grace thought, "Do they look like both of us? That''s great. I once wanted to have a child with Antonio, a child that looked like both of us. However, I cruelly gave that child up. Now I have aplet Learning that Grace had a girl and a boy, Antonio smiled happily and thought, "Our unborn child, whether it was a girl or a boy, must also be very cute." He bought two vis in Grace''s name and gave them to the two kids. The day Grace received the property deeds, she heard about Antonio''s marriage to Marin Greer, the daughter of the Greer family. She thoug "Who wants his vis? I can afford it anyway!" Shane threw the property deeds on the ground in a huff. Grace didn''t get angry. She knew he would get mad, but she could always calm him down quickly. "You can definitely afford it. Don''t worry, I won''t take his stuff. If I want a vi, my husband will buy it for me. I don''t need him." Shane immediately stopped being mad after hearing that. "However, need to find a suitable time to give them back to him. I don''t want to have any contact with him. Maybe I can give them to Laney after shees back. How about that?" . Shane smiled and tickled her nose. Meanwhile, he thought, "My parents are right, only Grace can handle me." Antonio and Marin''s wedding was grand. Almost all the wealthy people in the city attended, but Antonio''s smile was cold and reluctant. Apart from Grace, any woman he married was no different to him. Besides, he knew that Marin didn''t love him. "I''ll give you the title of Mrs. Kaufman, but I won''t take the responsibility of a husband. Of course, if you want a divorce a few yearster, that''s fine too." Marin agreed, After all, she didn''t expect Antonio to love her. She heard that the previous Mrs. Kaufman had never appeared in public but Antonio was deeply in love with her. She wasn''t so foolish to try to rece that woman. She knew it was just a business marriage. "Rest assured, I won''t have any inappropriate thoughts." She indeed didn''t have any thoughts about Antonio, because she was thinking about hispany. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 75 After Marin got married, she joined Antonio''spany. Although Antonio knew she didn''t love him, he still appreciated her abilities. Marin quickly got involved in thepany''s management and became a senior manager. Their marriage was more like a partnership. However, half a yearter, Marin was caught cheating. "Although I don''t care, you should hide it better, shouldn''t you?¡± Antonioid out a stack of photos on the table, all of them showing Marin dating that man. "Are you following me?" Antonio sneered in his heart, "Well, you aren''t worth it." Then he said, ¡°I''m not interested in you, and I''m busy. These were taken by paparazzi. I just want you to be a little more discreet. After all, you may be shameless, but I''m not!" Marin was speechless and thought, "Well, I have to admit that I''m more shameless than him. As such a handsome and wealthy man, Antonio must be chased by a lot of women. However, he never ys around With that in mind, she said, "I know. It won''t happen again." It definitely wouldn''t, because in just a couple of months, the Kaufinan Group''s internal affairs started to go haywire. Confidential information was leaked, and many orders were lost. All of this was, of course, Marin''s doing. When she told Antonio everything that day, Antonio didn''t seem very angry. "Antonio, they all say you''re a business genius, but I don''t think so." Antonio just smiled and didn''t say anything. He didn''t expect to be plotted by her. However, for some reason, he wasn''t angry. Back then, among all the marriage candidates, he chose the ambitious Marin at a g Although he had never touched her, all her little tricks were clear to him. Even so, he just didn''t want to expose her. He often thought that if Grace retaliated against him like this, he would be very happy. Unfortunately, Marin was not her. "That''s it. I''ve yed enough, and I''m tired. get a divorce. As for what you''ve done. I won''t pursue it, although I have plenty of f evidence." Marin''s face turned red with embarrassment. She thought she was smart. but she didn''t know she was just a tool for Antonio to get rid of his guilt. When Antonio announced the bankruptcy of the Kaufman Group. Grace''s kids were already eight months old. Shane''s parents doted on the kids. very much. They took very good care of them, so Grace and Shane didn''t get very tired. "Grace, Antonio went bankrupt." Shane''s words stunned Grace. She hadn''t heard from Antonio for a long time, and she didn''t understand how such a capable person could go bankrupt. Shane was also shocked. It was said that he was far from bankrupt. Although his wife had taken some of his assets, he was far from being out of business. "He has long had nothing to do with me. I just want to raise these two little ones well." Grace was ying with the two kids, who were getting cuter every day. No one knew that Antonio had long been tired of those worldly deceptions. After handling bankruptcy affairs, he retired to the countryside. Some said he was deeply hurt in love, for his wife had cheated on him and even taken his money. Every time Antonio heard that, he would justugh. What the world said was not wrong, he was indeed hurt by someone, but not by Marin. In his heart, only Grace was worthy of being his wife. The Lies He Told Me 76 Laney returned five yearster, having graduated from university, now a more mature andposed woman. Her first stop was to see Antonio. Antonio, don''t you ever get bored. living like this every day?" she asked. Antonio, standing before her, had long shed the air of a businessman. Dressed in linen clothes, tending to his flowers and reading books, he led a leisurely, carefree life. He hadn''t visited Grace in years, though even known that Grace had a knack for business. It seemed that her three years as a teacher had been nothing more than a sacrifice for Laney and him. Sometimes, Antonio still thought about her. But those thoughts came less and less, and the memories were fading. By the time he truly let go, het might leave this mountain retreat behind, or maybe he would st life, never able to forget her. Either way, he would be fine. "It''s not as boring as you think. This ce is wonderful," he said, his tone steady. Laney hesitated for a moment before pulling out her phone. She carefully showed him a few pictures, something she hadn''t gotten so excited about in a long time. Antonio took the phone from her without hesitation, intrigued. Beforeing to see him, Laney had visited Grace. Over the years abroad, she''d matured ande to understand Grace''s struggles, growing up without parents, with no one to rely on. She hade to truly "These are Grace''s two adorable children. They''re already four years old." Laney said, her eyes filled with affection. As she spoke about them, her face lit up with love. She told Antonio that Grace had sold both of her vis, giving all the money to Laney. When Laney asked Grace if she still hated her, Grace had said she''d alr "Did she... have anything to say to me?" Antonio asked, his voice softer than he intended. Laney shook her head. Even though they still kept in touch, it was mostly Laney reaching out. Grace might not hate her anymore, but to expect. things to return to how they were before, without any lingering ter "Lancy, let''s not bother her anymore, okay?" Antonio said quietly. Laney nodded. Since he stopped running the business, Antonio had be much more patient. Perhaps he had alreadye t terms with it. Sometimes, the best thing you could do for someone was to simply wish them well, even if you couldn''t have them. . to Grace and Shane had a wedding when their children turned five, with the two kids acting as flower girls and ring bearers, apanying their parents down the aisle. "The kids at kindergarten say they''ve never attended their parents'' wedding, but we got to." The girl said proudly to the boy beside her. "That''s because our mommy and daddy are more beautiful and handsome than theirs!" the boy responded, puffing out his chest. The two children were a perfect contrast. The girl was mischievous like Shane, while the boy was steady and calm like Grace. Their personalities werepletely opposite, but the older brother, a little sweetheart, doted on his younger sister, taking care of her with endless attention. Today. Grace looked stunning. At thirty, she was still radiant, while Shane was more mature and steady. The wedding was meant to celebrate their love, but the two children were the happiest. "Year after year. I feel like the luckiest person in the world, with you and the kids by my side," Shane said, gazing lovingly at his wife. She had been by his side for so many years now, and he finally felt at ease, no longer walking on eggshells. Grace was his, and only his. "Shane, have I ever told you that meeting you was my salvation? Thank you." Grace said, her voice thick with emotion. As the couple shared a kiss, their fel. two children shyly covered their eyes. The guests burst intoughter, and even Antonio and Laney, watching from the back of the crowd, couldn''t help but smile. They, too, had finallye to terms with Grace''s happiness. The Lies He Told Me 77 "Antonio, are you really not going abroad with me?" Laney asked, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. Antonio shook his head. He had grown ustomed to a simple, humble life. Plus, living so far from Grace felt too difficult for him. He knew that even though he would always care for her, he no longer mattered Laney settled abroad, while Antonio continued to live quietly in the mountains. Three yearster, he passed away. He hadn''t left with Laney because he had known, deep down, that his time was running out. The doctors had told him that though he appeared strong, his vitality was gone. In his final days, Antonio made a quiet trip to see Grace onest time. It was the day she went to pick up the children from school. She walked toward him, one hand holding each of her kids, who bounced along "Hey, why did that man start crying after smiling?" the boy asked, pointing at Antonio. Flustered, Antonio quickly stepped back into the alley. A quick nce was all he needed. He didn''t want Grace to see him weeping. Grace was puzzled but patted her son''s head, trying to case his confusion. "Maybe he just had something in his eye. Let''s go home now, your dad has dinner ready for us." Antonio watched them leave, before heading in the opposite direction. "Grace, I wish you a lifetime of happiness, each year better than the one pom before," he whispered softly to the wind, his voice almost lost. The day Antonio passed away was during the graduation season. Hey in bed, watching the breeze move through the trees outside his window, and his thoughts drifted back to the girl who had smiled with her "Antonio, I''m willing to marry you! Here!" she said. "I''m willing to marry you too. I will be there for your mother, walking through herst days with her," Antonio had promised, a smile lighting up his face as he held the ring in his hand, rubbing it over and over as if grounding himself to her. "Grace, in the next life, will you marry me again? I will make sure to get you the perfect ring and love you forever," he said, knowing in his heart that this promise would be hisst. He passed peacefully. Laney buried him with their parents. As she sorted many diaries-letters to Grace. Antonio had written about his. through his belongings, she? each entry a quiet testament to his longing for her, and the growing ache in his heart as the years went on. Laney cried uncontrobly as she read, heartbroken for her brother. She had always appeared to be doing well, but there was always a thorn. She felt responsible for destroying his happiness. If she hadn''t interfered, Antonio wouldn''t have left so soon. He had burned all his hopes for Grace into ashes, as he had once promised that he would never disturb her peace again. Laney vowed to honor that, to let Grace live her life without more disruptions. Laney took many antidepressants, but nothing seemed to heal her pain. Eventually, she went to Africa, working as a volunteer, seeing the suffering of so many children and helping as best she could. She finally died in a war zone, saving a child. She was just 32, never married, never having children, all alone in a foreignnd. Many yearster, when Grace returned to the city for work, while there, heard someone mention the stories of Antonio and Laney. It was then that she learned they had both passed away. Shane, worried about how Grace might react, stayed by her side those days. Yet, sheforted him instead. "Shane. I''m not sad. I''m just reflecting on how fleeting life is. We don''t have much time together, so we should cherish every moment we have." Shane nodded, understanding. He would do everything in his power to live longer, to stay by her side. To be with her, even for just one more moment, was the greatest honor of his life. They had been together for many years, and as they grew old, Grace and Shane had children and grandchildren. They still held hands as they walked through life, side by side. In Shane''s eyes, Grace was still that beautiful girl he had fallen in love with all those years ago-she always would be. The end. The Lies He Told Me 78 Part 3: Five months pregnant, I got called back to the hospital for an emergency C- section on New Year''s Eve Halfway through the surgery, I heard a man''s desperate voice from the door "Sar! Don''t be scared. I''m here! After you have the baby, I''ll marry you, okay?" The familiar voice made me freeze for a bit. As soon as the surgery was done, the guy rushed in to hold Sarah Mitchell with red-rimmed eyes. Seeing his face, I recognized who he was- my husband of five years, Antonio Kaufman. I stared at him, stunned. After a moment, I rasped out, "Congrats. It''s a 2.86-kilo baby boy." Antonio didn''t even nce at the baby, let alone notice me. "Sweetie, thank you for giving me a son. You''re my one and only. Sar, I love you." He trembled with excitement as he pecked Sarah''s forehead. It was so sincere and beautiful. Exactly like the scene I had dreamed of when I imagined giving birth. Except, I wasn''t the one in the spotlight. Chapters A few newly recruited nurses whispered to each other, their faces full of admiration. "They''re so in love! I''ve never seen a man go to his wife first after childbirth!" "I''m so jealous! She''s dead lucky to have a man like him." I trembled all over, my blood running cold. Just five hours ago, Antonio had been peeling shrimp for me at our New Year''s dinner. Some rtives teased him for being over-caring. But he wasn''t bothered at all. After gently wiping the corner of my mouth, he said, "Since Grace got pregnant, she''s been craving everything. I''m always the one peeling her shrimp. If I don''t, she throws a fit and says I don''t love her!" I was a bit confused, as I''d never thrown a fit. But I didn''t say anything. When his dad offered him a toast, he actually said "Grace''s pregnant. The smell of alcohol is gonna turn her stomach. As her husband, I gotta take care of her." I felt so touched. But now, all that was left was disappointment. I stood there, watching as the nurse wheeled Sarah into her ward and took the baby from my arms. Chloe, my bestie, yanked off my mask, her face full of concern. "Grace, is there some kind of misunderstanding between you and Antonio?" I looked down, tears welling up in my eyes. The image of Antonio''s hesitant look when I told him I was pregnant shed through my mind. Back then. I thought he was just overwhelmed with joy. Soon, he held me tight, kissing my forehead. "Grace! I''m going to be a dad! I''m so happy!" When he found out I wasn''t nning to quit my job, his face darkened, his tone a bit harsh. "Won''t it be too hard on you? Pregnancy is gonna affect your work, and you''ll have a hard bncing both! If you don''t baby, we can go get an abortion." I turned him down. Now, I couldn''t help but feel regret. Turned the out that hesitant look and his suggestion about getting an abortion were exactly how he felt. It made sense, though. With two kids, he''d have a hard time juggling both. One would be easier. One from his beloved. I changed out of my scrubs. On my way out, I passed by Sarah''s ward. Seeing them cuddling up together, I couldn''t help feeling bitter. When I left the hospital. Chloe pulled up in front of me. I rubbed my forehead, my hand resting on my protruding belly. My voice was hoarse but firm. "Coco, I remember the hospital''s holiday ends on January 7. And work starts on the 8th, right?" "Yeah." "Then... please book me the earliest appointment for an abortion on the 8th." Ignoring the shocked look on Chloe''s face, I got in the car and drove home. alone. Almost as soon as I pulled up. Antonio texted me. "Grace, a big project just came up at work. I won''t be able toe home for New Year." I paused for a moment. Then, he called. "Grace, don''t throw a tantrum over something so small, okay? I can handle your pregnancy mood swings once in a while, but if it goes on, get frustrated too. Just be reasonable. "I''m workingte to earn more and take care of our kid. If you''re going to make a fuss over this, maybe we eg should just terminate the pregnancy while the baby''s still small. And didn''t you get called back to the hospital Loo?" He''d said things like this before. When I was two months pregnant, I couldn''t keep anything down because of morning sickness. He snapped and dumped my food in the bin. "It''s just pregnancy! I see other women handle it fine. Why can''t you cat anything? "Are you putting on an act or something? Did one of my coworkers put this idea in your head to make me babysit you, Grace? I''ve got a busy schedule too!" My intuition told me that his coworker had more than a professional rtionship with him. But I was too sick to care. I just asked him to get me a ss of warm water. "What do you need warm water for at this hour? Should I really boil you some? Can''t you just drink it cold like everyone else? You think you''re so special? The Lies He Told Me 79 "If you can''t handle the struggles of pregnancy, just terminate it already!" And now, I finally realized that he meant every word. How ridiculous. But was it too cruel for me to realize this now? I stayed silent for a long time. Finally. I spoke up just before Antonio ran out of patience. "Okay, I got it. I won''t wait for you." With that, I hung up. Antonio came back early the next morning. He packed up his things, grabbed the baby items I''d prepared for our child, and got ready to leave. "A coworker had a baby, and we didn''t have much to give her. I figured we could give her what we got for our baby, and we''ll buy more once you''ve delivered." I froze for a moment, instinctively touching my belly. Right. I wouldn''t need it anymore. This baby... would never be born. Antonio didn''t notice, but as he saw me zoning out, his expression. Chapter3 darkened slightly. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes. "Really? You''re being stingy over a few baby items? We can just buy the same onester. Your pregnancy mood swings are something else. Do you really think you''re a queen or something?" I forced a smile and meekly replied, "Okay. I''ll do as you say." At that, Antonio was momentarily stunned. Since getting pregnant, I hadn''t acted so submissive in a long time. The pregnancy hormones made me emotional, prone to crying.ining, and throwing fits. I had seen Sarah on our anniversary. She was sitting next to us, her face full of sadness as she cradled her belly alone. "I really envy you two. Your rtionship seems so perfect." I was about tofort her when Antonio casually gave her the ne he had bought for me. "This ne suits you better. You take it. Don''t be upset." Then, without hesitation, he reached out and gently touched her head. I stood frozen, my face going pale. Sarah hurriedly stood up, her face pale, tears welling up in her eyes. "No, I can''t take it. This was your anniversary gift. I''m sorry, I didn''t mean Chapteral to ruin your celebration. Please, forgive me." By the end, her eyes were red. And she was almost on the verge of kneeling. Before I could say anything, Antonio snapped at me. "Grace! Are you done? It''s just a ne! If you want one, go buy it yourself! She likes it, so give it to her! What''s the big deal? She''s crying now!" My words caught in my throat. Watching Antoniofort Sarah, I couldn''t hold back anymore and burst into tears. He shot me an impatient look and pointed at the door. ve "Go cry somewhere else if you want! Acting like the queen of the house just because you''re pregnant? She''s already upset, and you still have to get involved? What''s the point?" Later, he tried to exin. "She''s been through a lot alone. You''re going to be a mother soon too, so just consider it a good deed." How ridiculous. Antonio and his mistress were being affectionate right in front of me. And I was too dumb to see it. How pathetic. Her baby was born. And I was just five months pregnant. How ironic. Antonio, your love was truly beneath contempt. Snapping back to reality. Antonio pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead. "Be good. Eve got a business trip §´§à§Ü three days. Can you take care of yourself and the baby while gone? If you were always this we wouldn''t fight so much. I gave him no reaction. I just stared at him nkly. "Are you traveling for the New Year too?" Antonio''s face stiffened for a second. But he quickly reced it with a smile, pinching my check. "Yeah, for you and the baby." After Antonio left, I slept the entire afternoon. When I woke up, it was already dark. I mindlessly scrolled through my social media, and then I saw a post from an unfamiliar ount. It was a family photo taken in a hospital. Sarah was holding a baby, Antonio sat beside her, and his parents were happily standing next to them. Caption: "Celebrating four years with my husband, and now we''ve got a Chapter34 18 little one on the way! I''m being spoiled like the baby of the family all over. again!" Thement from Antonio''s mother stood out. "A happy family is the greatest blessing!" A happy family? Can a mistress and her child really be considered a "happy family"? Five years of our marriage, and they had been together for four? So, everyone knew. They''d all been keeping it from me. I tugged at my lips, unable to stop myself fromughing. But as the daughter faded, tears started falling in heavy streams, a no how hard I wiped, theft wouldn''t stop. Antonio. I regretted it so much. Late that night, after I had calmed down a bit, I returned to my room. I picked up my vitamins, ready to take them, but something felt off. The Lies He Told Me 80 The pills were different from what I usually took. Although I studied obstetrics, I could still tell the difference. Unless I was still groggy from sleep, I wouldn''t have mixed them up. The bottle was on the bedside table. Usually, no one else but Antonio would enter my room. The answer was clear. My hand holding the pills started shaking uncontrobly. In the end, I copsed to the floor with a thud. "It''s impossible..." I desperately tried tofort myself, trying to believe in Antonio. After all, we had truly been in love for so many years. At our best, he''d protected me from a car ident, shielding me with his body just to keep me safe. He said, "Grace, you mean more to me than anything, even more than myself. I can''t lose you." That day, I cried until I could barely breathe, vowing to love him forever. Today, I was crying just as hard, but now I was searching for a reason to still believe in him. Antonio. Please, don''t let it be you... It wasn''t until the third day that I finally asked Chloc. "Grace. this is hormone medication. You can''t just take it while pregnant. It could cause birth defects." I frozepletely, unable to hear anything else. The guilt in Antonio''s eyes when he left that day. I finally understood. Myst bit of hope for Antonio shatteredpletely. Years of love. It couldn''t withstand the pressure anymore. It copsed, once and for all. Antonio didn''te back on the third day. I sat on the couch in a daze, staring at nothing as the day faded into night, then back into another day. The phone kept buzzing non-stop. But I didn''t answer. Eventually, it ran out of battery and shut off, leaving me inplete silence. The eighth was my birthday. I sat outside the operating room and called Antonio. "Grace? You''re finally calling me back? Are you still mad? I''ve been so busy. I couldn''t get away." "I''m doing this for the triple pay! Can''t you understand that? You keep ignoring my calls and messages. What do you want me to do? If you can''t handle it, then just divorce me already. It''s not like I can keep putting up with this!" His tone was as harsh as ever by the end. I pretended not to hear it. With calm and detachment, I said. "Antonio, do you remember today''s my birthday?" There was a pause, no answer. I didn''t care. I wiped my tears and continued. "It''s fine if you forgot. You don''t ever need to remember again. Antonio, when you get back, let''s get a divorce." Silence stretched on from the other side, so long I thought he had hung up. Then his voice finally came through. "Grace, are you using divorce as a way to force me toe back? Why do you have to be so extreme? Why can''t you just understand? Do you think this will make me cave?" "I hate when you y these games! Grace, I''lle back when you learn how to act right!" I forced a smile. I stared nkly at the chat history and photos on my phone. It was Sarah''s second ount, sending me messages over these past few days. From their first meeting to their recent conversations. I read it all. In four years, nine out of ten overtime nights had been spent with Sarah. Meanwhile, I was still cooking meals for him, waiting for him toe homete. Even though I''d seen the marks on his neck. I had convinced myself they were just mosquito bites. I had trusted himpletely. But he had betrayed me. Antonio. How was this fair to me? If you didn''t love me anymore, why couldn''t you just let me go? "Antonio, I''m not joking." "When youe back, let''s get a divorce." At that moment, a nurse came out holding a clipboard, calling out. Her voice echoed through the phone. "Grace? Is Grace here? Your abortion procedure is up next." "An abortion? Grace, what are you doing? Didn''t I tell you I''d be back once I finished? You can''t seriously be using this as an excuse!" Antonio''s voice crackled through the phone. "You''ve wanted this child for so long, and now you''re going to get rid of him? Do you think it''s funny, trying to pressure me intoing back by using the baby?" I didn''t respond. I just hung up and followed the nurse into the operating room. When I woke up, there was a dull ache in my lower abdomen. Chloe sat by my bedside, her face filled with concern. "Grace, you''re awake." she said softly. I managed a faint smile, but the emptiness I felt inside was too much to ignore. This child was everything I had hoped for. The Lies He Told Me 81 But he came at the wrong time. If I brought him into this world, his life would never be a happy one. It''s better for him to leave now than to suffer with me. I nced at my phone, and it was filled with messages and calls from Antonio. "Grace! Stop pretending, okay? If you''re looking for an excuse, at least make it a good one. Stop being so pathetic! "You''re seriously angry over some baby stuff? I haven''t even mentioned how the cheap baby products you bought gave the baby a rash! What''s there to be upset about?" Even though I had already let him go in my heart, seeing those messages made my eyes sting with tears again. This was the man I had loved for so many years. And in the end, all that was left was exhaustion. *** On the fifth day in the hospital, I was discharged. I requested a two-week sick leave and decided to take some time away. I had the divorce papers drawn up, signed them, packed my things, and moved out of Antonio''s ce that night. As I was putting thest suitcase in the car, I heard his voice. Chateral "Grace!" I froze for a moment but didn''t turn around.. I closed the car door and tried to leave. But Antonio wasn''t ready to let me go. He stormed up to me. grabbed my wrist, and his face darkened. "What''s this all about? You''re not answering my calls, not responding to my messages! You seriously want a divorce?" "You just want me toe back and apologize, don''t you? Well, I''m here now. Are you happy now? Can you stop bothering me? I''m busy, I don''t have time for your pregnancy moods!" he snapped. I pressed my lips together, calm and detached. But my face still carried the pale traces of my exhaustion. I looked at him. Antonio froze, his hand reaching up to touch my gaunt face, his eyes softening with a flicker of regret. "Why have you gotten so thin?" "Stop pretending." I snapped, pulling his hand away. I was cold, unfeeling. "You didn''t go to work. You didn''t go on a business trip. Do you really think I''m this stupid? Antonio, do you feel proud of tricking me for four years?" He stood still, his eyes full of guilt. He fumbled for words, but couldn''t find any. I smirked, staring into his eyes with disdain. "On New Year''s Eve. I performed a C-section. The patient was Sarah. "You still n to keep lying to me? That so-called business trip... Wasn''t it just an excuse to be her?" I took a few steps closer. His confused, stunned expression barely Sgistered as I yanked on his shirt, exposing the dark, familiar hickeys underneath. "I know everything. You disgust me. "I can''t believe I wasted all those years loving you. I really up." Only then did his gaze drop to my t stomach. Want to throw His face drained of color as his eyes slowly filled with horror. His voice shook as he spoke. "No... no, Grace, it''s not like that." "Your stomach... Wasn''t it five months along? Didn''t I feel the baby movest time? Where is it now?" I tugged at the corner of my lips, forcing back the tears in my eyes. Then I pped him hard across the face. "It''s gone." "You switched me to hormone pills, remember? The baby''s been deformed and died. Is that what you wanted?" I didn''t wait around to see Antonio''s reaction. I got in the car and drove off. The new ce was one I had bought before we got married, and aside. from a little dust, it was ready to move in. By evening, I was at the airport, waiting for my flight. My phone wouldn''t stop ringing. I finally answered, and Antonio''s angry voice red through. The Lies He Told Me 82 "Grace! What the hell are you doing? I know I owe you, but do you really have to throw the divorce papers at me? Is this some kind of game? "Can you stop being so childish? We''ll have more kids in the future! I''m just worried Sar won''t take care of the baby properly! Once the kid is older, we can try again, why do you have to make such a big deal ou "Do you have any idea what Sar has done for me? She epted that we couldn''t get married, and she cried over it! Why can''t you be more like her?" I stayed silent, listening, my patience wearing thin. Antonio didn''t notice. By the end, he was practically gnashing his teeth. "Think it over. If you can''t make up your mind, then we''ll get a divorce. This is yourst chance. I can''t help you if you keep ying these games. Just think about it. "Enough with the games, just get back here already. I still haven''t made you apologize to Sar for the cheap baby stuff you bought! Did you know our child almost went into anaphctic shock from that crap? Ho I was not sure what triggered it. But on the other end, I faintly heard a woman''s sobs. "Antonio, don''t let me cause you guys any more trouble. It''s not worth it... It''s all my fault..." I couldn''t help butugh bitterly I hadn''t even gotten to dealing with him taking my things. And now he had the nerve to use me? Rolling my eyes, I couldn''t hold it in anymore. "Are you out of your mind? The divorce papers are signed, do you think I''m ying some kind of game with you? What''s wrong with you? Did you hit your head? Go fix your brain at the factory! "Am I a psychic now? Could I have predicted you''d steal my stuff and give it to someone else? Did you check the cameras? Call the cops? Hire a detective? You''ve got nothing, so stop ndering me! I''ll sue yo "Apologize? You and your mistress should be the ones apologizing to me! You two should be on your knees, begging for forgiveness, that''s the least you owe me! Antonio, have some damn conscience! If you d I took a deep breath and finished, letting it all out. The line went silent. Even Sarah stopped crying. I hung up, checked the boarding signs, and dragged my suitcase toward the gate. Coming to Nond had always been a dream of mine. Before we got married, Antonio promised he''d take me here. But even after we divorced, he never kept that promise. But now, I was here on my own. Chapters I got lucky and caught Nond''s first snow of the season, and that night, I some new friends to see the Northern Lights. It was breathtaking. Antonio sent me a ton of messages and called a lot, but I couldn''t be bothered. I just blocked and deleted everything rted to him. A few quiet days passed, and then just before heading home, I ran into own and Antonio. She was leaning into his arms,ughing, asking him to take a selfie with her. Antonio''s expression was unreadable until he saw me. He froze. "Grace?" he said. I furrowed my brows and turned to leave. But he was faster. He stepped in front of me, blocking my way. "Grace! I knew it. You''re just too "Grace! I knew it. stubborn, aren''t you? Not answering calls or messages, all to throw a tantrum and make me chase after you, right? You wouldn''t havee to Nond if you weren''t stilb following me. You''ve been keeping tabs on me, haven''t you? The Lies He Told Me 83 "The kid... I''m sorry about that. The divorce papers- those were your fault. But we can call it even. We can go back to the way things were, as long as you stop being so petty." He kept talking. ignoring the look on Sarah''s face behind him. She was fuming. staring at me like I was the enemy. I didn''t care. But then she suddenly burst into tears, clinging to Antonio''s arm. "I''m sorry, Grace. It''s all my fault. I love Antonio too much. I swear. I''ll leave. I won''t bother you guys again. Please don''t hate me." "Grace, my child is your child. If it weren''t for me, you wouldn''t have gone through with the abortion. I''ll give you my little one aspensation. Please, take care of him better, okay? I beg you." She dropped to her knees to beg me. But Antonio, looking colder by the second, pulled her up. He looked at Sarah with a face full of sympathy, gently patting her head. But when he turned to me and saw me smiling, a flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes. "Grace! Apologize! Why are you being so aggressive? Sar''s innocent! You''re the one who caused this with the abortion. Was that your n all along?" "Apologize to Sar! If you don''t, I''ll never forgive you!" I pped Antonio across the face. Then, before he could react, I pped Sarah, too. "Antonio! What the hell''s wrong with you? What did I say that''s so wrong? What did I do to her that''s so wrong? I didn''t even touch her. and you want me to apologize? Are you out of your mind? "You''ve been begging for a reunion, right? Didn''t I say I wanted a divorce? What''s so hard to understand? Or are you just so pathetic that you can''t bear to let go? "Still asking for a beating? You love it, don''t you? Don''t forget to thank me, idiot. And you. Sarah? Stop ying the victim. You''ve cried so much. You''ve ruined the Northern Lights for everyone! It''s pathetic! You knew exactly w "Youe here to unt it, even before your baby''s out of the hospital? I swear, you''re just asking for trouble. Look at you. You''ve got a death wish written all over you." Antonio opened his mouth to speak again. But I casually scooped up a handful of snow, shoved a chunk into each of their mouths, and then turned to leave. Back home, I fell back into the routine of work. The pain of losing that child slowly faded, little by little. Antonio still hadn''t signed the divorce papers. But I wasn''t in a rush. Someone else clearly was. He''d changed, bing a different person, finding new ways to block me and contact me. He called and messaged me from different numbers for days. But I didn''t respond to a single one. On the third day, after finishing surgery, a bouquet of bright red roses was suddenly ced in front of swhot . no Antonio''s face was flushed, his eyes filled with emotions I couldn''t quite understand. "Grace, I''ve been thinking about this for a while now, and I don''t want to separate anymore. Can we not divorce? I''ve been waiting for you at home, but you never came back." "Fighting is one thing, but can''t we just move past what happened? Let''s start over, please. I really live without you." Content.belongs to It almost made meugh. But my face was pale and tired from the surgery, so I couldn''t even smile. Around us, patients were gossiping. And new nurses whispered to each other. I knew they recognized the "good husband" from the other day. "Grace, please don''t do this. Let''s give each other an out. I came here to pick you up from work." As I looked into Antonio''s sincere eyes, I noticed Sarah standing not far behind him, holding a baby. Her face twisted with resentment. When our eyes met, she mouthed the word "bitch." I didn''t care. I took the bouquet and tossed it straight into the trash. Blood started to show on my clothes. The Lies He Told Me 84 "Antonio, the day I had the abortion, I was covered in blood like this too. Why didn''t you say anything then? "When I was five months pregnant, carrying our child, bleeding out after doing surgery for your little mistress. I was drenched in blood too. Why didn''t you say anything then? When you were in love with someon "You''ve had enough, Antonio. You just lost the person who cooked for you and did yourundry. I''m begging you, just sign the divorce papers." Antonio stood there,pletely stunned. He stared at me, his eyes slowly reddening. He reached out as if to hold me, but when he saw the blood on me, his hands trembled. "No, no, Grace, it''s not like that. "I love you. I swear I didn''t mean for this to happen... It''s not like that..." Antonio copsed, holding his head, sobbing uncontrobly. But I felt nothing. That day, I''d gotten the surgery done despite feeling sick from the bloody smell. I thought I would get Antonio''s embrace andfort. But no. Instead, I witnessed his betrayal with my own eyes. And what was worse, he didn''t even recognize me with a mask on. How pathetic. "Antonio! Stop deceiving yourself. Stop looking for me. Can''t we just part ways in peace?" I med my self for being a fool. I had wasted my love and trust on the wrong guy. changed out of my blood-stained clothes and disinfected myself. Then I sank into a chair, exhausted. Chloe handed me a ss of water, her eyes filled with aplex mix of emotions. "Grace, do you regret it? The abortion, I mean." I froze for a moment. Then I shook my head with a bitter smile. "It doesn''t matter anymore. "If that child had been born, it would have been more miserable. "It''s better this way, really." The night before the procedure, I had thought long and hard. I didn''t know if the child sensed my thoughts, but it stopped being as active, staying quiet. It only asionally stretched its little hands and feet, reminding me that it Chapter was still awake. It felt peaceful. But could I really condemn it to a life like that? It was already past midnight when I got home. I saw Antonio, who had been waiting for who knows how long, standing by the door. His face was flushed. And I could smell the strong scent of alcohol. When he saw me, his eyes lit up, and he grabbed my hand, his voiceced with desperation. "Grace, the door was locked. Why won''t you let mee home? I want to go home. Don''t leave me, please. I''ll be better. I''ll change everything you don''t like. Don''t leave me.¡± "I know I''ve made so many mistakes. I''ve let you and the baby down. Give me a chance to make it up to you. Please, I don''t want to lose you." I tried to pull my hand away, but couldn''t. It seemed like he sensed my movement, and he tightened his grip even more. If it had been before, with his vulnerable actions and sincere words, I would''ve forgiven him in an instant. But those standards were based on me not knowing about his affair, on believing that he still cared for me. I had thought our rtionship was strong. I thought a little fighting didn''t mean much. But now I saw the truth And it was all a joke. "Go home, Antonio. Stop looking for me." "Grace. I can''t I don''t want to go back to that cold house without you. I can''t lose . Please, give me another chance. We''ll have children, we''ll be happy, please, trust me. I shook my head, ignoring the tears streaming down his face. Then I yanked my hand free. "It''s over. We can''t go back. "I can''t forget what happened. I can''t go back to being ignorant. Antonio, I''m terrified. Terrified that you''ll unknowingly find more Sarahs. How can I trust you? Four years! We''ve been married five years, but you''ve been with Sarah for four! Doesn''t that sound ridiculous? "Stop interfering with my life, okay? Once was enough." The Lies He Told Me 85 I turned and went into my room. The next morning, after I woke up and went to throw out the trash, I saw Antonio curled up, asleep outside my door. But this time, I wouldn''t soften. Being soft with him was like poisoning myself. Once was enough. For an entire month, I acted like Antonio didn''t exist. Friends tried to intervene, even his parents came to talk to me, but I ignored it all. Finally. I couldn''t take it anymore. I printed out everything Sarah me and handed it to him. "Antonio, why don''t you have some dignity? Nad sent "How am I supposed to forgive you? How do you expect me to keep living with you when I can''t erase these four years of betrayal from my mind? Am I that worthless?" Hepletely broke down. He fell to his knees in front of me, frantically pping his own face. Sarah also begged me, pretending to care, asking me to get back together with Antonio. The most dramatic time, she shoved the baby into my arms, tears in her cyes, and ran off. "Grace, please! Get back together with Antonio. Without a father, this child has no chance." She was so sure I''d soften, that mypassionate nature would kick in. But I didn''t give in. I set the baby down by the side of the road and walked away. Did she seriously think I''d pity the child? Howughable. The hospital gave me the opportunity to train in Emberford. If I went. I''d secure the position of director when I came back. Without hesitation, I agreed. On the day I was leaving, Antonio chased me all the way to the airport. He tried to smile, but it didn''t reach his eyes. "Grace, is this really it? Are you leaving just to escape me? Do you really hate me that much? I love you. I''ve always loved only you. I was just deceived by Sarah. "I''ve been thinking a lot these days. I know I''ve made many mistakes. Can''t you just give me one more chance? We''ve been so in love before. Please don''t give up on me. "Tell me what I need to do to be forgiven. I''ll do anything. Just please don''t leave me." Yeah, we used to be so in love. Everyone envied us. Now, look at us.. Should I just forgive him? Wasn''t it he who destroyed everything, time and time again? From the moment Sarah got pregnant, he should''ve known the cracks between us were too deep to fix. I''ve always said I can''t tolerate disrespect. I''d rather walk away than be mistreated. But he didn''t listen. I shook my head, watching the ne take off in the distance. "Antonio, you gave up first. Why are you ming me now? Our years of "Antonio, you gave up first. Why are love mean nothingpared to the thrill of something new. I''ve given up, so why can''t you just let me go?" "You have your path, and I have my freedom. Isn''t that enough?" For six months, I focused entirely on absorbing new knowledge, learning from different doctors, and myself to grow. We worked together and sessfully saved the life of a woman in a difficultbor. When the baby cried, I couldn''t help but feel my eyes well up. "Congrattions, it''s a beautiful daughter, six pounds five ounces, healthy in every way!" As the woman was wheeled out, her husbasently cradled the baby in his , tears streaming dow face as he leaned against the his The six-foot-tall man, usually so strong, cried harder than the woman had. When I returned to Riverstone, I was promoted to department head. My first surgery as the new director was Sarah''s hysterectomy. I hesitated for only a moment before I continued the operation withplete professionalism. no trace of personal emotion. Afterward, Chloe filled me in. After I left. Sarah found out she was pregnant again, just two months after giving birth. She had a huge argument with Antonio, and the pregnancy ended abruptly Taking advantage of this, Sarah moved into Antonio''s house and quickly established herself with his parents, using the baby to solidify her position. Antonio, however, seemed to have some sort of mental block. The Lies He Told Me 86 I turned and went into my room. The next morning, after I woke up and went to throw out the trash, I saw Antonio curled up, asleep outside my door. But this time, I wouldn''t soften. Being soft with him was like poisoning myself. Once was enough. For an entire month, I acted like Antonio didn''t exist. came Friends tried to intervene, even his parents to talk to me, but I ignored it all. Finally, I couldn''t take it anymore. I printed out everything Sarah had sent me and handed it to him. "Antonio, why don''t you have some dignity? "How am I supposed to forgive you? How do you expect me to keep living with you when I can''t erase these four years of betrayal from my mind? Am I that worthless?" Hepletely broke down. He fell to his knees in front of me, frantically pping his own face. Sarah also begged me, pretending to care, asking me to get back together with Antonio. The most dramatic time, she shoved the baby into my arms, tears in her eves, and ran off "Grace, please! Get back together with Antonio. Without a father, this child has no chance." She was so sure I''d soften, that mypassionate nature would kick in. But I didn''t give in. I set the baby down by the side of the road and walked away. Did she seriously think I''d pity the child? Howughable. The hospital gave me the opportunity to train in Emberford. If I went, I''d secure the position of director when I came back. Without hesitation, I agreed. On the day I was leaving, Antonio chased me all the way to the airport. He tried to smile, but it didn''t reach his eyes. "Grace, is this really it? Are you leaving just to escape me? Do you really hate me that much? I love you. I''ve always loved only you. I was just deceived by Sarah. "I''ve been thinking a lot these days. I know I''ve made days. I know I''ve made many mistakes. Can''t you just give me one more chance? We''ve been so in love before. Please don''t give up on me. "Tell me what I need to do to be forgiven. I''ll do anything. Just please don''t leave me. Yeah, we used to be so in love. Everyone envied us Now, look at us. Should I just forgive him? Wasn''t it he who destroyed everything, time and time again? From the moment Sarah got pregnant, he should''ve known the cracks. between us were too deep to fix. Ive always said I can''t tolerate disrespect. I''d rather walk away than be mistreated. But he didn''t listen. I shook my head, watching the ne take off in the distance. "Antonio, you gave up first. Why are you ming me now? Our years of love mean nothingpared to the of something new. I''ve given up, so why can''t you just let me go?" "You have your path, and I have my freedom. Isn''t that enough?" For six months, I focused entirely on absorbing new knowledge, learning from different doctors, and pushing myself to grow. We worked together and sessfully saved the life of a woman in a difficultbor. When the baby cried, I couldn''t help but feel my eyes well up. "Congrattions, it''s a beautiful daughter, six pounds five ounces, healthy in every way!" As the woman was wheeled out, her husband gently cradled the baby in his arms, tears streaming down his face as he leaned against the window. The six-foot-tall man, usually so strong, cried harder than the woman had. When I returned to Riverstone, I was promoted to department head. My first surgery as the new director was Sarah''s hysterectomy. I hesitated for only a moment before I continued the operation withplete professionalism, no trace of personal emotion. Afterward, Chloe filled me in. After I left, Sarah found out she was pregnant again, just two months after giving birth. She had a huge argument with Antonio, and the pregnancy ended bruptly. Taking advantage of this, Sarah moved into Antonio''s house and quickly stablished herself with his parents, using the baby to solidify her osition. Antonio, however, seemed to have some sort of mental block. The Lies He Told Me 87 He refused to sign the divorce papers, with his ongoing distance from Sarah. Sarah couldn''t handle it and tried multiple times to get him back, event resorting to taking pills. Sarah couldn''t take it anymore and tried several times to force his hand. with drugs. Just two months postpartum, she managed to get pregnant again. This time, Antonio seemed possessed, tending to Sarah''s belly every day with obsessive care. When they discovered the fetus had deformities, Antonio finally let out augh. "Are you happy now, Sarah? You made me drug Grace, and now the consequences areing back on you. If it wasn''t for you, Grace and I wouldn''t have split! It''s all your fault! Why did you insist on having th "I was about to have a child with Grace. I could''ve been happy, but you ruined everything!" Sarah was stunned. She broke down in tears. "Antonio! Didn''t you want to take care of me in the beginning? Why me the child for everything? The child is innocent!" "You said you loved Grace, but you cheated on her for four years! Do you think she''ll ever take you back? No, she won''t! She''ll never forgive you! This is your punishment!" Antonio was already furious. Hearing that, hepletely lost it. He grabbed Sarah by the neck, nearly choking the life out of her. Sarah miscarried again, bleeding heavily. Her uterus couldn''t take it anymore after so many failed pregnancies. When she saw my face in the operating room, barely hanging on, she forced a smile. "You won, Grace. "You won, didn''t you? Antonio still loves you the most." I didn''t respond, calmly switching out the surgical tools and finishing the procedure. It wasn''t until the assistant wiped the sweat from my forehead that I allowed myself to rx. Then I briefly turned my attention to Sarah. "Sarah, not everyone is like you, with their mind consumed by love and men." "Antonio cheated, I divorced him. abnormal about that? But S50fice my career and future scumbag. "I didn''t give up on my career during pregnancy, and it led me to discover the truth about Antonio. I saved myself. As for your idea of winning? I couldn''t care less." fo Sarah stared at me, pale and confused. Later, Antonio came to see me. He held the signed divorce papers. "Grace," he said, his voice thin. His face looked gaunt, and he was disheveled. "I''m sorry for everything I did to hurt you. I don''t expect forgiveness, but I really love you. Can''t you give me another chance? "I promise, I''ll love only you now. I won''t betray you again." I shook my head and took the divorce papers from him. "Just go file for the divorce certificate when you can." At those words, the light in his eyes diedpletely. After that, I didn''t hear much about them. I only learned that Sarah had left, leaving the child with Antonio''s family, and had reported him for drugging her. While the crime wasn''t serious enough to ruin his life, it certainly ensured his career would be damaged. Sarah came to apologize to me. But I couldn''t bring myself to forgive her like a saint. Treating her like a stranger was the best I could do. My life was so long. And I wasn''t about to waste it on insignificant people. The Lies He Told Me 88 I proposed to Antonio Kaufman, my boyfriend of seven years. But what greeted me was my stepsister, Celia Parrish, holding up her marriage certificate with Antonio. Apparently. Antonio had been cheating on me. He had given his heart to Celia. I had lost,pletely and utterly. But I wasn''t about to forgive what they''d done. "Grace, I have cancer," Celia sobbed, holding onto my dress. "Myst wish is to have a fancy wedding. Could you wait until I''m gone to propose to Antonio?" "Stop lying," I said coldly, shaking her off. I was done with their drama. Antonio red at me. "She''s your sis. Can''t you be a little more understanding?" I froze, stunned by his words. He knew well that Celia''s mom had destroyed my family. Using her pregnancy, her mom forced my dad to get a divorce. And there Antonio was, backing up Celia. Rage surged through me, my eyes zing. Antonio didn''t notice and continued, "That''s between your parents. It has nothing to do with Celia Can you stop taking it out on her?" The man I thought I knew felt like a stranger. Not long ago, we went to visit my mother''s grave together, and he had driven Celia away when she showed up uninvited. But looking back. I realized he was trying to protect her. Celia looked at Antonio with gratitude, her tears streaming down as she held out the marriage certificate for me to see. "I''m not as great as Grace. Antonio is the only one who''d marry me. If I tear this up, will it make you feel better?" Before she could finish, Antonio snatched the certificate from her hands. He clutched it like it was precious. "Celia, don''t say things like that. I''m ket eve this right. I''ll make s everything is perfect forre marriage, the wedding, ever Then he turned to me, his face cold. "This is just temporary. Celia doesn''t have much time left. When it''s over, I''lle back to you." Seeing him protect both Celia and that marriage certificate, I couldn''t believe a word he said. The curious looks from the crowd felt like needles, making me feel more like a clown than a bride. Before I could respond, Celia sobbed louder and stepped between me and Antonio. "Grace, I never want to mess up your rtionship. Everything was my idea If you''re angry, take it out on me." she said. Watching Celia keep up her act, I couldn''t help butugh. "So, your mom''s a homewrecker, and you''ve learned a lot from her Bitch, you deserve your illness" I let all my anger out on her The p came out of nowhere, leaving my cheek stinging. I looked at Antonio in disbelief. He used to say his biggest dream was to marry me and be by my side forever, but now he hit me for the woman I hated most. All my love and hope for him disappeared at that moment. My friends couldn''t hold back any longer. They rushed over, surrounding Antonio and Celia. "Seven years of Grace''s life wasted on a jerk like you! And now you''re marrying the daughter of a homewrecker?" one of themovels shouted. Antonio pulled Celia close, afraid that someone might hurt her. It wasughable. What a joke my proposal had be. I looked down at my wedding dress. The whole thing felt meaningless. Antonio had sworn he''d always be with me. When did he start siding with Celia? I motioned for my friends to hold off and asked the question that had been haunting me. Antonio kept shielding Celia, sneering, "Grace, you were just a kid when your mom died. Do you think you know the whole story? You''ve let hate blind you. Leave me out of it." The Lies He Told Me 89 His words were like needles to my heart. Clutching my chest. I realized that Antonio wasn''t worth my love. He never truly trusted me, choosing to believe someone who should never have had his ear. Celia gave me a smug look, then clung to Antonio''s sleeve pitifully. "I took some of Dad''s attention. It''s fine if Grace hates me for it. What others. think doesn''t matter, as long as you understand me, Antonio." She ended with a sweet smile, and Antonio''s eyes softened. He yfully tapped her nose and helped her up. Looking at me, disappointed, he said, "Grace, you''ve lost someone you loved. You know how it feels. Celia has cancer and time''s ticking. Can''t you grant her this one wish?" His words broke my heart again. I managed a bitter smile. How could Antonio mention my loss so coolly? His mother and mine had once been best friends. When his family faced bankruptcy, it was my mother who stepped in and saved them. She worked tirelessly, managing everything during the day while caring for sickly Antonio at night. Antonio was a fragile little boy My mother took him to exercise, medicmal micals, and gradual d his health If he hadn''t been so set on marrying me, he probably would''ve bepped my mother to be his godmother When Antonio found out she had died alone in a foreign country, he cried even harder than I did. I''d never forget how he red at Celia and her mother with pure hatred at my mother''s funeral. But now, less than ten yearster. Antonio told me it was just dramat between parents. I thought I''dsh out at him in anger, but after all that letdown, I felt a strange calm. "Do what you want. We''re done," I said. Antonio froze for a moment, then gave me a familiar smile. "Don''t say that. Ibe with Celia for herst days ande back to you afterward" With that, he ignored the protests of my friends and walked away with Celia I stood there, watching them leave, and suddenly remembered his confession on my 18th birthday Antonio handed me a big bouquet of red roses, his face flushed. "Sure, roses are a little cliche, but my love isn''t. Grace, I''ll never marry anyone but you," he said with a serious tone. It almost felt proposal. . I never doubted Antonio''s feelings for me. I truly believed we would always be together. The Lies He Told Me 90 Word of my failed proposal quickly reached both families. "The Parrish family''s eldest daughter fails proposal and gets dumped" started trending locally. Celia put on a fake show of tears, and Melvin, my father, med me. "Celia''s very sick. How could you put her through this savage act online? She''s your sister. Fix it. Now!" I shook my head with a sneer and refused. He stormed over and pped me hard across the face. It had always been this way. Since Celia was born, Melvin never took my side again. After her mother''s death a few years ago, he poured even more love into Celia. In the past. Antonio always had my back, but now even he sided with her too. Melvin''s endless rant filled the air, but I just looked at the rain outside, staying silent. Finally, J, Antonio''s mother, showed up to save me, with a bruised and battered Antonio trailing behind her. "Grace," Antonio said, annoyed at my cold gaze, "don''t think my mom can always save you." J frowned and smacked Antonio again. "Apologize to Grace!" Antonio looked at me and muttered, "Sorry" J, using her close friendship with my mother, scolded Melvin. Then, she held my hands, her expression softened. "Grace, can we talk for a moment?" I sighed softly and led her to my bedroom. As soon as the door closed, tears came to her eyes. "Grace, I understand you. You''re just like your mom. Once you make up your mind, you never look back. It''s Antonio''s loss," she whispered. After a short pause, she added, ¡°I''m not gonna ask you to forgive my- son. But if there''s anything I can do to help, just say the word. I''ll always have your back." Her words warmed my heart. After thinking for a moment, I said, "J, let Antonio make Celia''s ''dying wish''e true." She looked surprised, then smiled faintly. "If that''s what you want, Grace, then so be it. It'' the answer to his choices. He''ll regret this." time for Antonio to face We smiled at each other, silently letting the topic slip off and never mentioning Antonio again. With approval from both families, Antonio started preparing for the wedding. He refused to break up with me. His texts came daily- words of love and pleas for patience. I never responded, letting him y the fake lover. Celia, on the other hand, kept sending photos to provoke me. Thanks to her, I saw pictures of Antonio flying abroad for customet wedding rings, a super expensive dress, a fancy venue, and luxurious decorations. Even a picture of him carefully trimming her toenails. Celia texted, "Antonio is such a sweetheart. No wonder you couldn''t resist proposing to him!" By now, it was crystal clear to me-his excuse of not bet was just a lie to k me calm. If he loved someone, he''d marry her without hesitation. Celia casily imed the grand wedding Antonio once promised me, along with every bit of affection. As I distanced myself from the mess, I decided to dig deeper into his betrayal. After Celia''s mother entered our lives, my mom had me save the house''s surveince footage regrly. "Now, I sat alone at myputer, watching scene after scene of Celia shamelessly pursuing Antonio." The Lies He Told Me 91 In the beginning, Antonio turned Celia down. He would rudely push her away and shout at her with the worst cuss words he knew. But, day by day, Antonio grew less resistant to Celia''s pursuit. Sometimes, as she cried and pretended to fall to the ground, he would rush over and protect her in his arms. He loathed and despised her, but somehow he had grown tender and indulgent towards her. It all happened within 2 years. Funny, wasn''t it? I had known Antonio for more than 20 years, and we had been together for more than 10 years. But it only took 2 years for Celia to take him from me! While they were preparing for their wedding, Celia came to me once. With a pair of sparkling eyes, she smiled at me so innocently. She said, "Grace, do you see it now? Your poor mom couldn''t beat my mom. Now, you can''t beat me!" I smiled and then took a few big steps forward. I grabbed her by the cor and gave her a dozen ps. Celia wailed and her voice was so shrill that Antonio came over to check on her. He checked on her wounds in a panic, and then, he madly pushed me to the ground. He shouted, "You are a vicious one! She''s so ill. How could you have the heart to do this to her?" I took a nce at my grazed palm and raised my phone with a straight face. The phone was ying the conversation between Celia and me just now. Both Antonio and Celia''s faces changed color. Antonio seemed to have mixed feelings, and I couldn''t tell if he was suspicious or shocked. Celia only paused for 2 seconds, then she burst into tears. "Grace, is this why you call me over? To set me up in front of him? "I really wanna make peace with you before I die. Can you please not treat me like this?" Antonio SO he genok Celia in his arms with of disappointment. Colet gentleness. He bowed head and then red at me with a "Since when did you be so unreasonable? I don''t think I cane back to you if you go on like this!" After Antonio had said this, he picked Celia up, carried her out, and rushed to the hospital. My throat clenched and pain gripped my chest. Once again, Antonio chose to believe Celia and left me alone here. I froze there for a long time, and then, I slowly looked up at the miniature camera on the ceiling. *** Time went by so quickly. It was their wedding day. My dad banned me from the wedding so I would not ruin it for them. I casually held my phone and had a video chat with J. At the same time. she streamed the wedding live for me. J''s camera was focused on Antonio and Celia. He was tall and handsome in that suit. It was exactly the way I had pictured him as the bridegroom countless times. His eyes were soft and fixed upon Celia with a tenderness that once belonged to me alone. Celia lowered her head shyly. A smile danced on her lips, full of joy. They were a perfect match and so in love with each other. Even I could not deny it. Antonio had promised me many times that he would not kiss the bride on the wedding day, though I had never asked for it. Yet he did not hesitate to press his lips to hers as she raised her face and stood on her toes. People che¨¨red and apuded. It was happiest moment for the new couple, but it was also thet moment when the police arrived. They walked right up to Celia and showed her their badges. "Are you Celia Parrish??A report has e been filed against you. Now you under investigation in a murder case. Pleasee with us." The Lies He Told Me 92 Celia''s smile froze. Before she said anything, J spoke in a loud voice, "Officers, you can''t send her to jail. She was diagnosed with advanced cancer. She''s very ill!" Looking at Celia''s ruddy face, the police officers weren''t very convinced. They asked in a serious tone, "If that is true, you''ll get a health check. You can apply for medical parole." ?Celia''s face grew even darker. She was usually silver- tongued, but at that moment she could not utter a word, perhaps from guilt. ? The expression on Antonio''s face was as if he had been struck by lightning, as he caught her evasive look. He looked anxiously at Celia, and his voice trembled. "Celia, tell me the truth. Do you really have cancer? "And who did they suspect you of murdering?" Biting her lip, her eyes soon welled up. "Antonio, please trust me, OK? Someone must have set me up! I''ll exin it to you when Ie back!" After Celia said so, she trotted after the officers as if she were being chased. Her figure disappeared at the door of the ballroom, but Antonio had not yet recovered from his shock. ? He looked toward J, and she looked leisurely. He tumbled toward her as if she were a lifeline to her. "Mom, do you know about something that you haven''t told me? Tell me now!" With a re, J said, "I dare not tell you about it, or you may say that what I hear and see is not the truth!" Instantly, the color drained from Antonio''s face. I didn''t care how he felt at that moment, so I turned off the live streaming. My dad called me immediately. "Grace! Was it you? You were the one messing with Celia, right?" "Do you know how important that moment was to her? How could you be so vicious?" I chuckled. "Dad, you''d better worry more about yourself. Regarding the truth of my mom''s death, anyone involved will pay!" ?Instantly there was silence on the other end of the line, and then, he hung up. His strange reaction made me suspicious. Turns out, he really had something to do with my mom''s death. From time to time, I would back up footage from my home security cameras. They didn''t know it. While I watched how Antonio hooked up with Celia, I happened to see something else. It was outside the study, Celia pulled Dad''s arm and was pouting. She said, "Dad. I''m really in love with Antonio. You must help me!" Dad sighed helplessly. "I wanna help, but you know that he has been in love with Grace since he was a kid!" Celia pouted. "I don''t care. The thing you did to Grace''s mom, maybe you should do it again..." Dad looked alert and covered her mouth with his hand. "Celia! Don''t you ever bring that up again! No hinhat, Grace is still my daughter. Just keep pursuing him, and try toe between Antonio and Grace!" "Don''t worry. I''ll always be on your side. If he I caught some important information from this conversation. ? Perhaps, my mom did not die from her disease. Instead, these monsters killed her! ? I tried to find more clues, but after going through all the footage, I could find nothing. After hitting a dead- end, I could only talk to J and I told her everything I knew. J was so outrageous that she wanted to kill Dad and Celia. It took me a while to calm her down. That footage of their conversation couldn''t be used as evidence, so the case we used to sue Celia was not about my mom. J used all her connections to dig into Celia''s past. And she did find out something useful. When Celia was in college, she used to bully a girl. ?The girl soon dropped out of school and has been missing ever since. Evidence showed Celia had something to do with it, but Dad used his connections to smooth things over. But the girl''s family was still trying to sue Celia. ?When J went to speak to the girl''s family, they subconsciously thought she was trying to fool them. But for that, they did not hesitate to ept her help. After all, they would not miss any chance to bring justice to their daughter. The Lies He Told Me 93 That night. Antonio came to me. I thought he wanted to learn more about the truth from me, since he realized that Celia had been lying to him. But I was wrong. He said, "Grace, Celia is innocent. Will you drop the case?" I couldn''t help butugh. I was impressed. Antonio still trusted her after all that had happened. But, all of a sudden. I felt bad when I saw him looking so haggard. After the Kaufman Group survived from going bankrupt, Antonio was never in a low spirit again. At least, that was what I had remembered of him. I rubbed the straw ring in my pocket and changed the topic. "When did it start? I mean you and her." There was a trace of guilt on his face. Then, he subconsciously denied it. I knew he would deny it. So, I showed him the footage of them kissing from a few years ago. His face changed color as he saw it. "Grace, I can exin it. It''s not like what you think..." I took out the straw ring from my pocket, deadpan. I grabbed his hand and ced that small ring on his palm. ?While the Kaufmans were going through their darkest days, countless debt collectors were after them. Antonio was just a kid at the time, but he was not spared. ? Debt collectors would block the door of his rental home. They would frighten him and force him to tell them where his parents were. After he managed to get away from them, I was the first person he woulde to. He cried and said. "Grace, my family is broke now. I can''t provide you with a good life after we grow up..." As he cried, he put this straw ring on my ring finger. "I made this ring on my way here. Keep it, as if we were already married, OK? Will you not forget about me?" He was incoherent, but I could feel he really didn''t want to leave me. After he cried, he turned around and was about to run away. But he rushed back again. "No! No! If my family gets rich again, you''lle back to me, will you?" "At that time, if you don''t wanna marry me anymore, you can return this ring to me. I will let you go, even if it will hurt me!" I was only a kid at the time, but somehow I wanted to be with Antonio to myst breath. But when things got to this point, I was pretty sure I had let go of Antonio. I was in love with him for years, so it wasn''t easy for me to simply walk away. Until the day of his wedding, I still held out thest shred of hope for our rtionship. But now, I knew that I wanted to be done with him, once and for all. Antonio bowed his head and stared at that ring. He also remembered hist promise to me as a kid. His eyes went round, his lips shivering. Tears trickled down his thin jaw and sshed onto the shabby straw ring. He quickly wiped the tears from it and nervously clutched my hands, looking like a little boy afraid of being abandoned. He looked at me and begged, "Grace, will you forgive me this time? I swear I will stop seeing Celia from now on!" I raised my hand and slowly wiped the remaining tears from his face. "My mom was so good to you. She was kinder to you than she was to me. Before she died, herst wish was to see us finally get married. "But how did you pay her back? You those are old grudges our fathers'' generation and t is not what I have heard and seen at true! "Well, then tell me, what is the truth? "You knew Celia''s mom was my Dad''s mistress, but you slept with her anyway: The things you promised me, you gave them to Celia Without a second thought. Yet, you called me vicious and bullying a dying person!" After I poured all those words out, all I could see from his face was guilt and remorse. He bowed his head and contemted for a while. Then, he raised his eyelids and said to me softly. "I''ve checked it. C had some problems with a friend from college, so the police took her in for a few questions. "She is innocent. I know you want to confront someone, but your mom and Celia''s mom are both gone. Can''t you just forgive and forget?" I stared into his face, hoping to see what he was thinking. After all the work my mom put into him, he turned out to be such at douchebag! Fury blinded me. I couldn''t control myself anymore and pped him hard. ?He looked haggard again and caught my hand to p his face. "Grace, sorry for my poor wording. I just want you to be happy. If this can make you feel better, you can p me as much as you want!" His words turned my stomach. ?I jerked my hand from his grasp. I shouted in rage. "Antonio, you''re like a piece of trash to me now. And I don''t collect trash! "From the day you cheated on me with Celia, you should have known that it''s over between us!" ? But he did not want to give me up. He tried to say more to me, but his phone rang. It was loud, and I could hear Celia''s crying voice through his phone "Antonio, the police let me go. I''m outside the station now I''m so scared. Will youe pick me up??" The Lies He Told Me 94 Antonio instinctively nced at me, and his eyes showed a flicker of hesitation. But it onlysted a few seconds before he said with confidence, "Grace, I told you that Celia is innocent. If she were guilty, the police wouldn''t have let her go, right? "Besides, she''s your half- sister, and we''re going to be a family. I''ll go and bring her back." I wanted to make things difficult for Antonio, so I didn''t want him to leave so easily. I called out to him, "Didn''t you say that if I forgave you, you would never have anything to do with Celia? "My dad will pick her up. But if you dare to leave now, I''ll never forgive you!" Antonio stopped in his tracks, but he kept his back to me. His voice sounded tired. "Celia really needs me now. I promise this is thest time. Once this whole thing is sorted out, I''ll be all set to propose to you." After saying that, Antonio hurried towards the door. As he walked, he suddenly started running. Along the way, he identally bumped into a sharp decoration and got cut, but he didn''t seem to care at all. I stood there, stunned, watching his figure disappear into the distance. Without thinking. I raised my hand to touch my face, and it was wet with tears. All of this used to be mine! His loss ofposure, his madness, his gentleness, and hisplete love- all of it was once meant for me. How did the guy who used to run just to see me end up like this? J''s call came quickly, and her angry voice was all over the phone. "Your dad really went all out! Those pieces of evidence could have done in that hussy Celia, but he took the me himself!" I felt a chill run through me. I never thought Melvin, who had always been so selfish, would go to such lengths for Celia! Without time to think more about it, I hung up and hurried to the police station. I asked to see Melvin, and he didn''t say no. He had looked so lively at the wedding earlier today, but now he seemed to have aged a lot in just a few hours. "Grace, you''re here. Would you please do something for me?" I didn''t say yes or no but just kept staring at him. Seeing that I wasn''t talking, Melvin went on, I messed up de and you and your mom But Celia is innocent. "I''ll tell the police everything I did, including what happened to your mom." My nose twitched, and my heart was being torn apart by all this anger as I red at Melvin. "So, you killed my mom! You for bastard! My mom was with you all those years and never did anything to hurt you! She even agreed to the divorce. Why couldn''t you just let her go?" '' Melvin hung his head, looking heartbroken. After a long while, he finally spoke again, "I''m asking you for one let Celia go. She''s the only you bet have left in this world Then, he refused to say another word and hastily ended the meeting. I was so furious I could have ripped him to pieces, but my reason was telling me to stay cool. I knew deep down that Melvin didn''t think he was wrong at all. He took the police to the spot where the girl''s body was dumped and took all the me onto himself. J told me that Celia wasn''t doing well mentally, so Antonio bought a manor for her to recover in. I asked J to let them keep seeing each other. She was upset about it, but in the end, she agreed. Before the court made its decision, Melvin killed himself. He had quite a few shady businesses, and behind these illegal operations, there were numerous people involved. From the moment he got arrested, those so- called partners were all scared that he would rat them out. Melvin knew all of this, so he picked a day with good weather and smashed his head into the wall. The police called the family toe and identify the body, but I didn''t show up. Antonio went with Celia instead. The Lies He Told Me 95 They wanted to bury Melvin next to Celia''s mom, but I had already anticipated all this and was waiting for them at the cemetery early on. Upon seeing me, Celia turned pale, and she lunged at me like a madwoman. "It''s you! You killed my dad!" Antonio quickly grabbed her around the waist. Maybe he felt guilty about my mom, so he lied, "We''re here to pay our respects..." I cut him off coldly and then held up all the text messages he had been sending me non- stop these past few days, right in front of Celia. "Grace, give me some more time. Once Celia is doing better, I''ll break it off with her." "The only person I''ve ever really loved is you. Please, don''t give up on me." Celia only read two of the messages, and then she turned her head, ring at Antonio with tears in her eyes. But pretty soon, the anger in her eyes went away, and she hugged Antonio''s waist tight. "It''s OK, Antonio. As long as you stay with me, I don''t care about anything else." Antonio''s face showed he felt bad about it. His hand, which was about to push Celia away, stopped in the middle of the motion. He looked at me, all hesitant I didn''t even spare him a nce and walked straight up to Celia. Afraid that I might do something, Antonio quickly stepped in front of Celia to block my way. I smiled. "Antonio, you want to bury my dad next to Celia''s mom, right? When you die, how are you going to face my mom with that on your conscience?" Then I looked at Celia and said, "This loser is all yours now!" After that, I walked away from the cemetery, not looking back even once. Maybe it was thest bit of decency Antonio had left, but he ended up talking Celia out of it and didn''t let her bury Melvin next to her mom. Before Melvin killed himself, he made a will, leaving 80% of his money to me and the rest to Celia. He did this not out of guilt, but as a way to get me to give up on avenging Celia. But I had to say, his money was really dirty. I only kept thepanies that my mom used to run and sold everything I only kept thepanies that my else for cash, giving it all to charity. I wanted to get back at Celia, but I changed my mind pretty fast. Antonio got swayed by his own desires so easily, and that only showed one thing: what he loved the most was himself. So even if Celia managed to ovee all the difficulties and end up with him, in the end, she''d just be like a little smudge of mosquito blood on the wall. Death was actually the quickest way out. It was living that was the real torture After I thought everything through. I decided to go study abroad and forget about the past. When I left. I only told J. She looked like she wanted me to stay, but in the end. she just said. "Take care of yourself" She told me that maybe it was payback, but Celia really had cancer now. I smiled a little, and thatst bit of grudge in my heart just disappeared. All the bad stuff was behind me now. The future felt wide open. The Side Story of Antonio: liked Grace when I was still a kid. She was like a little sun, all warm and bright, and she just burst into my life and took over my heart. When our family was going through its hardest time, only Grace and her mom wouldn''t give up on us They were like angels sent to save us At that time, I made a silent promise that I''d be good to them, no matter wha But one day, my grandma passed away suddenly, and our whole family went back for the funeral I never thought that in just a few days, something big would happen to the Parrish family Melvin''s mistress showed up, pregnant, and started making a scene. saying a lot of mean things to his wife. But I only heard about all this from other people.. When we got back, Grace''s mom had already asked for a divorce and started her trip around the world. It took me a lot of work to help Grace get over what happened. I thought I''d be with Grace for good; we''d get married, have kids, and be together forever. But then Celia came into the picture. She told me she liked me many times. And whenever Grace wasn''t around, she''d stick to me like glue. At first, I was as cold as ice when it came to her. She was the daughter of that other woman, after all. But one day, she just stopped clinging to me. And I felt kind of empty, like something was missing. From then on, I couldn''t stop myself from paying attention to Celia. I had nned to propose to Grace on her birthday. And I even bought a diamond ring. But the night before, Celia came to me, crying so hard that she could barely breathe. TE She saw the ring and asked if I was going to propose to Grace. Antonio, listen to me Things aren''t what you think they are! "You know my dad and his first wife weren''t happy together. They only staved married because of Grace "My dad lied to my mom, saying he was single. That''s why my mom got together with him. By the time she found out the truth, she was already pregnant with me "My mom wanted to leave, but Grace''s mom had all these connections. She found out about my mom''s medical records and sent people after her. They almost killed my mom didn''t believe Celiacat first, but then she started crying hard and threatened to jump off the building to prove that she and her mom were innocent. I quickly stopped her, but she clung to me and started kissing me madly "Antonio, I don''t want anything. I just want to be with you. Please, don''t push me away." Celia had a strange smell on her that made my head all fuzzy. By the time I came back to my senses, I was already naked in her bedroom I made a huge mistake. 50. I had to tell myself over and over to believe all of Celia''s stories. I knew she was lying, but she used all that stuff to force me into marrying truth. But I was terribly wrong. After Grace went abroad, I kept dreaming about her all the time. One night, I ended up calling out her name in my dream. I woke up suddenly and turned my head, only to see Celia right next to me. Her face was all twisted up as she was staring at me. She screamed and pounced on me like a lunatic. "You''re still thinking about that bitch, aren''t you? I won''t allow it! Absolutely not!" Celia grabbed my neck with both hands and started choking me grabbed a figurine from beside the tableand mmed it into the back of her head. At first, Celia just got knocked out and hurt, but then I just couldn''t stop myself. Half an hourter. I turned myself in at the police station and told them everything about what happened. That night, I finally got a good night''s sleep. In my dream, Grace wasn''t cold anymore. She was that little girl with pigtails again, bouncing over to me. "Antonio, why are you here? Let''s go have some fun!" Yeah, she used to call me by my name with a sweet smile a long time ago. The end. The Lies He Told Me 96 Part 4: My husband Antonio Kaufman slept with a girl he met at a social fraternities party She got pregnant. However, when I found out about it, she was already six months pregnant. Antonio wanted me to take care of the baby. He said it wouldn''t affect our marriage. I refused. Sadly. I asked. "What''s your choice? Me or the baby?" Antonio fell silent. After a long while, he still didn''t answer. Yet he regretted it after / left. Our marriagested for five years. He proposed to me after we graduated from college. I never imagined our marriage would end up this way. Antonio carefully took a young and pretty girl out of the hospital. I was standing nearby. Our eyes met. He was being evasive, awkwardly avoiding making eye contact with me. The pregnant girl also looked at me. It seemed she was about to cry. After helping her get into the car safely. Antonio said something to her and walked toward me. He wasposed and rxed. Even if he was flustered at first. the panic waspletely gone now. He touched my icy cold hands and rubbed my fingers to warm them up. "Why are you here? Not feeling good?" he asked in a very concerned tone before feeling my forehead. I moved away and asked indifferently. "Who''s that girl?" Instead of replying, Antonio pulled me into his arms. "Just a nobody. I''ll exin when we get home. Don''t cry." He was very gentle, and he had always been a good husband. But why couldn''t I hold back my tears? With my hand over my mouth. I realized I was mourning my youth. I had truly loved him. I raised my head stubbornly, demanding an answer. Whatever he said. I''d believe him. Antonio sighed slightly and wiped tears off of my eyes gently. "She''s pregnant. The baby is mine." Somehow, I forgot how to breathe. My head went nk. I squirmed out of Antonio''s arms and took a few steps back. It made him mad. He angrily pulled me back. His tone was tender again when he warned me. "Grace, be mad at al me if you want, but don''t torment yourself." I didn''t understand. He cheated on me and impregnated another woman. Still, he pretended he loved me. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then, the girl got out of the car. you want me to exin to wife? Sel swnc "Go back!" Antonio hissed in a tone carrying no warmth. The girl looked at him timidly but didn''t move. She was determined. "My rtionship with Mr. Kaufman isn''t what you think. The baby was unexpected." She gave a bitter smile. "If only I had an option. I want it the least." Tears made everything before me blurry. So was the look on Antonio''s face. "Stop talking! You''ll only make it worse!" His tone softened a little. After being married to him for five years, I knew Antonio well. I could feel his affection for this woman. Jealousy and resentment rose inside me, eating at me. I lost it and shouted. The girl shook from fright and almost fell. Antonio hurried to hold her. Seeing them hugging, I felt like I was the other woman. Several secondster. I had a n. I trotted toward them. When I was about to touch the girl''s baby bump. I was pushed away. It was Antonio. Sitting on the ground. I lifted my hand. My palm was scratched. Antonio looked at his extended hand and was dumbstruck. That day, he left the six-month-pregnant girl alone and took me home. Yet I knew it was over between us. The Lies He Told Me 97 Back home. Antonio gave me an exnation. "I got drunk the other night. We hit it off and hooked up right away. The doctor said if Amber had an abortion, most likely she wouldn''t have another child again." I felt exhausted. Sitting on the bed, I remained silent. Antonio smoked the whole evening on the balcony of my room. He was torturing himself to make me feel bad for him. He always knew where my soft spot was. It was dawn. Antonio turned around, walked into the room, and came to me. "Hungry? What do you wanna eat? I''ll cook." I called to him, my voice hoarse. "Antonio, we need to talk." Antonio paused in his tracks, but he pretended he didn''t hear me and left the room. He knew I couldn''t stand betrayal, mental or physical. I told him that when he proposed I wanted faithful love. If he had an affair, I wouldn''t forgive him. So, he kept it from me. Unexpectedly, the girl he had a one-night-stand with got pregnant. Due to her special constitution, she had to keep this baby. Then, this thing happened today. Antonio didn''t return to my room. He couldn''t bear to hear what I was gonna say. I knew he had truly loved me. If he hadn''t, we wouldn''t have gotten married. If he hadn''t, he wouldn''t have tolerated my bad temper. For the following week, Antonio never came home. Our houseworker told me he asked about me every day. She also hoped I could forgive him. She said, "You two are the deepest-in-love couple I''ve evemet seen. What problem is so hard to solve? You two hav¨¨ spent five years together. It''s the most precious." The houseworker had worked for us for five years. She had never seen Antonio and me having an argument. At first, Antonio''s mom didn''t like me. After we got married, she gradually epted me. My phone rang. It was Antonio''s number "Grace, I''m a friend of at a If youe and get himal sis. He got drunk at a "I''m busy!" I hung up. A fit of sadness seized my heart. remembered how the back of Antonio''s figure looked when he left. He seemed exhausted. belongs to .no I put on my jacket. Before I knew it, I''de to the party venue. The door to the vi was open I stood at the door and didn''t go in. Antonio was indeed drunk, sprawling against the couch in an ungainly way In front of him stood a pregnant girl. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 98 Antonio''s friend touched the back of his head awkwardly. "Miss Potter, Grace won''te, and Antonio won''t leave. I could only call you to take him home." Amber chuckled and grabbed Antonio''s arm. But he pushed her away. Other people''s screams made Antonio sober up. He looked at the woman in front of him and smiled wryly. "Amber, because of you, Grace is divorcing me!" Antonio repeated it over and over again and wanted more alcohol. No one could stop him. He grabbed a bottle of wine and gulped it down. Amber snatched the bottle away and smashed it on the floor. Silence befell the private room. Even Antonio, who had been yelling just now, remained quiet and only looked at Amber in astonishment. "Antonio, will you grow up? Stop acting like a child. You''re a father-to- be." With a stern expression, Amber clutched Antonio''s clothes forcibly. "Get up! I''m tired. Let''s go home." Antonio had a hot temper. His friends were all afraid of him. I was the only exception. Everyone present fell silent. The air in the room became suffocating. Antonio said nothing. Slowly, he stood up, grabbed his clothes and followed Amber a word. They left together. swh Hiding in a corner of the wall, I watched them andughed. Once, I thought I was special to Antonio. I followed their cab to a high-end apartmentplex. Antonio got out of the cab and went upstairs with Amber. In the middle of the towering building, one room lit up. I waited in the car all night. Antonio didn''te downstairs. At 7 a.m. the next morning, entered the building again Suonio Dread. Looking at eback of his familiare figured felt a sense of loss. no Perhaps that was my cue to leave. It was time to end it. The Lies He Told Me 99 I asked Antonio toe home, but I didn''t mention our divorce. I looked at him, who had thinned, and averted my eyes quickly. "I didn''t go and pick you upst night. Where did you spend the night?" His hands shook a little. After a moment, he replied, "In the office." It was hard to describe how I felt when I heard this. More disappointed than sad. When did Antonio start lying to me? The man who had vowed to stay truthful to me had changed. I didn''ty bare his lie. It was pointless. "How far along is she?" Antonio hesitated for a few seconds before answering, as if afraid to hurt. my feelings. "Almost seven months." Then, he went down on one knee before me, resting his head on my knees. His tears wet my skirt. "Grace, I was wrong. Don''t leave me." As far as I could recollect, Antonio had never cried before. Now, he sobbed. It broke my heart. But I knew I couldn''t soften. "I wanna meet the girl." Amber and I met in her home. Antonio waited for me outside Amber stroked her bump. Her eyes sparkled with expectations of the baby. "The light was off that night. I was frightened. "But the next morning, when I saw Mr. Kaufman lying beside me, somehow. I felt lucky." Amber smiled when she told me this. She looked up at me, gentle and lovely. "Mrs. Kaufman, my child with Mr. Kaufman will be due soon. Why don''t you just let us be together?" When Antonio wasn''t around, this girl acted like a different person. I was hardly surprised. That night when I went to find Antonio, Amber had cast a nce at me behind the door. Clearly, she saw me. She stood up slowly and opened the door to a room. It was a sweet nursery. "Mr. Kaufman picked everything in this room himself, and he decorated it. He wants this baby." Amber was showing off. She wanted me to how much Antonio cared about this baby. I e calm. I Yet still, I got mad. It turned out Antonio wanted this baby. It wasn''t that he didn''t care. Out of the blue, all my strengthed to have left me. I put one hand on the table to keep my bnce and identally knocked over a ss of water With a clear crack, the ss shattered into pieces, just like my broken heart Hearing the noise, Antonio came in to find me staggering. Lying on the floor. Amber kept saying it hurt. That day, Antonio didn''te to my rescue first. I''d never forget that. Amber smirked triumphantly toward me. She thought she had won. When Antonio walked past me, he only¨¨ hesitated for a second. In the end he went straight to Amber, gathered her in his arms, and took her to the hospital. The Lies He Told Me 100 When Antonio left, he didn''t even look at me. I stood there for a long while before I epted that he left me alone. I went to the hospital after them. Antonio''s parents were also there. It turned out I was thest one to know. At the sight of me, Antonio''s mom pped me hard. "If anything happens to my grandchild, I''ll make you suffer!" Antonio stood before me protectively and kept me behind him. It made his mom even angrier. "Antonio, I don''t care if you defend her at other times. But this time, she almost killed your son!" Antonioughed. Checked defiance was in in his voice. "So what? What''s the big deal?" If his parents hadn''t kept the baby behind his back, Grace wouldn''t have been sad. No one knew this. But when he saw Amber fall on the floor, he was actually d. He regretted having the baby now. The doctor came out of the ward and told him the baby was line. Antonio''s parents went inside hurriedly tofort Amber and expressed their concer Amber kept looking at Antonio, who was standing in the doorway. She wore a pitiable expression. This girl set me up. Of course, I wouldn''t let her get what she wanted. I deliberately showed my red and swollen left cheek to Antonio. I knew he would feel bad for me. The !!Pe said, "I don''t wanna be here Antonio left with me. Before that, I looked at Amber, who was lying in bed, and gave her the same smirk. At this time, Antonio was still on my side, although his favor mattered little to me now. He thought I had epted the baby. In fact, was preparing to leave he panicked the divorce agreement. my luggage and draf ne I was waiting for the right time. Yes. I nned to leave the day Amber delivered the baby. Didn''t she want me out of the picture? Well, I''d grant her wish.. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 101 I''d been having a funny feeling in my belly recently. The other day. I went to the hospital for a physical. Unexpectedly, I ran into Antonio and Amber. I registered again and had the examination. When I got the result, Iughed so much that I teared up. For the past five years, Antonio and I had been trying to have a baby. We never seeded. Now, we were about to separate, and I found out I was pregnant. The time wasn''t right. Holding the report, I wandered in the hospital absent- mindedly, at a loss for what to do with the baby. I should have an abortion, but I didn''t have the heart to do it. It was harder than leaving Antonio. Then, I looked up and saw Antonio with Amber, who had just had a prenatal checkup. These days, neither he nor I mentioned Amber. He mistook my silence for acquiescence. "Mr. Kaufman, our baby is very healthy. I''m happy about it." Antonio''s voice betrayed no emotion. But when he raised his eyebrows, I knew he was in a good mood. "Hmm. You''ve taken good care of it." They talked about the baby. Neither of them noticed I had stopped in front of them. Antonio let go of Amber''s hand and kept her at arm''s length when he saw me. After a moment of silence, I spoke first. "Small world. I''ll leave you be. Bye." Antonio took my hand in a fluster.et He t let me go. "Grace, let exin." swlove me I broke free from him calmly, not mad at all. "I''m not angry. The baby is your responsibility. I understand." As soon as I finished speaking, Amber''s eyes sparkled. "Mrs. Kaufman, you''ll really let me keep this baby?" We fell outst time. I wouldn''t be nice to her this time. "Miss Potter, you''ll be due in a few days. Can I stop you?" The woman lost her cool at once. Judging from her voice, she Swys about to cry "I-I was forced." It was pointless to talk about that now. I turned around and came back to the doctor. Antonio offered toe along, but I refused. Someone helped me decide just now The Lies He Told Me 102 The day Amber gave birth, Antonio was called over to the hospital at 4 a.m.. Before he left, he said gently in my ear, "Grace, let''s be as close as before after the childbirth, OK?" He knew I wasn''t asleep. He also knew the unborn baby was the obstacle between us. Nothing was the same. I closed my eyes without responding. When he was about to step out of my room, I called him. Once again, I asked, "Antonio, what''s your choice? Me or the baby?" Seeing the stunned and awkward expression on his face, I shook my head and urged him to leave. But I didn''t need you anymore. I could handle it myself. After he left, I put the divorce agreement and a USB drive on the nightstand. Without saying goodbye, I left the formerly cherished home of mine. Two days before the flight. I visited my hometown. This was my first return ever since I married Antonio. The small bungalow had be a two-story building, very eye- catching among the houses. Someone keen-eyed saw me. He me and called out, "The ¨¤ girl, who married m e back!" Content belon Within an hour, I got surrounded by police. My parents came out of the house. The smile on their lips froze when they saw me empty- handed. With a fake smile, they took me into the house. The minute the door was closed my mom pinched me hard on the waist. "You irritating girl! Couldn''t you buy something for us? What did we raise you for? "I''m divorced. Antonio won''t give you any money in the future." Everyone in my family was shocked. Their attitudes toward me took a sharp turn. See? These bloodsuckers were my family. When they knew I didn''t get a penny after the divorce, they ruthlessly kicked me out and locked the gate. Standing outside the house, I wasn''t sad. I should thank Antonio. He provided me with a roof, and I was carefree for five years. Now that we''d parted ways, I my family disturb . Problem solved hisel e without looking the back. I left the city alone, where I stayed for many years. The Lies He Told Me 103 Amber gave birth to a 4 kg boy. Antonio had a son. At that moment, I was on the ne, deep in thought. My mind drifted to the past when Antonio and I just got together. That year, my family told me my grandpa was sick and needed his medication. They didn''t have money. If I didn''t give them any, my grandpa wouldn''t get treatment. I gave all my savings to them. I didn''t even have money for a meal. Before the payday came, I had bread for a month. Later, Antonio heard about it. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he had never worried about money. With red eyes, he asked in a husky voice, "Why didn''t you tell me?" Before I could reply, he held me tightly. Concern was in in his tone. when he spoke again. "Are you forgetting? You have me." That day, for the first time in over twenty years of my life. I had someone to rely on. In the eye et we were married, Antonio never let me down. After my grandpa passed away, he kept the leeches in my family out of my life. Was Antonio good to me? Yes, very. At least, before Amber happened, he had been a wonderful husband. However, just because a couple loved groach other didn''t mean t Even if I leave ''d ad stayed, that baby would Car in my heart. Over t the wound would rot. W I wanted to keep the beautiful moments of our love. The nended. I looked up at the blue sky. From this day on, he and I would be out of each other''s lives. The Lies He Told Me 104 The baby was born. For a moment, Antonio was happy. He had always wanted a child. This was his flesh and blood, his son. Driven by the joy, as if doing charity work, he kept Amberpany all night at the hospital. He didn''t go home that night. He wanted to make arrangements for the lives of Amber and the baby. Then, he wouldn''t see them anymore. He figured he and Grace could still be together as a devoted couple. However, Grace didn''t wait for him. She was gone. When the houseworker came to the hospital, Antonio was holding his son cautiously. When he was told Grace had left, he didn''t go and look for her. He only closed his eyes tightly. He knew Grace wouldn''t forgive him. He saw the divorce paper and the USB drive on the nightstand in the living room. He didn''t sign the paper and only watched the videos on the USB drive. Putting the divorce agreement and the USB drive together was sarcastic as if Grace was mocking his stupid conduct. Grace also made a video of herself. Antonio watched it and sobbed. He regretted what he did. Ile had made a huge mistake. It turned out Grace knew everything. "Antonio, we were married for years, and I didn''t give you a child. I feel bad about it. I know how much you want a child. "Whatever the reason you kept the baby, it doesn''t matter now. Let''s separate peacefully." Grace read his mind. He wanted to keep the baby. A self-centered man like him only cared about what was important to him. Nothing else mattered. If he didn''t want it, the baby wouldn''t have stood a chance toe to the world. With his acquiescence, his parents took care of Amber. Amber loved hurt the woman he because she saw truly happy he was about the baby. swnow Antonio wanted to keep both his marriage and the baby. But in e lost the woman veret to him. Content b The Lies He Told Me 105 "Antonio, you have a son now. What else do you want?" Antonio was giving the newborn baby away. His mom Lana Adler looked at him furiously. "Without this child, Grace wille back to me." Antonio was determined. He couldn''t stand the baby for a second. He had found a family for adoption. If he gave them enough money, they''d treat the baby well. Seeing how stubborn Antonio was, Lana persuaded in tears, "Antonio, this is your son. How can you abandon him? "I know you''re hurting because Grace has left you. But no matter what you do, she isn''ting back." "No one is as important as Grace to me. Mom, you have no idea how regretful I am." Antonio''s heart ached. He held back the bitterness in his heart and forcibly took away the one- month-old baby. This incident caused a sensation in their circle. It was a trending topic for a long time. Some people said Antonio was cold- blooded. Others thought he was devoted to his wife. Anyway, the Kaufman family had be aughingstock Six monthster, Antonio found my see He wanted toe , but his cousin Vivian stopped him. Vivian and I went to the same university. She was my senior. She helped me a lot abroad. "Antonio, don''te. Grace says she''ll leave if you do. "We all know how much you loved her back then. How could you make such a stupid mistake?" Antonio didn''t know what to say. What was done couldn''t be undone. After a long while, he asked in a low voice, "How is she?" "Terrific. She eats regrly and sleeps soundly. She''s put on some weight." Antonio smiled bitterly, making chin even more pointy. "I''m Look after her for me." Cele After hanging up, Antonio grew increasingly excited. He was finalet in touch with Grace again. Overjoyed, heughed out loud the dark room. "I''ve found her! This is great!" The Lies He Told Me 106 Meanwhile. Vivian mmed the phone and cursed. I was amused to see how mad she was. "I''ve moved on. Why are you so upset?" "How can I not be? You and Antonio were deeply in love. How did this happen?" Everyone thought it a shame when they knew Antonio and I broke up. But there was nothing we could do about it. It just didn''t work out. Vivian was my best friend. There were things that only she knew. Her gaze rested on my belly. "Grace, what about the baby? Won''t you tell Antonio?" This baby belonged to me only. I stroked my belly gently. I didn''t go through with the abortion. At thest minute, I had second thoughts. I had no family and had left Antonio. I didn''t wanna spend the rest of my life in solitude "The baby has no father. It only has a mother." One monthter. I gave birth to a ??? girl. She was the most Cen person to me in the world working and raising my daughter, I felt contented and happy. I invested in Vivian''spany with es. Business had been good, I could provide afeet life for my daughter. Time went by, and my daughter was five years now. Warned by Vivian, Antonio didn''te and find me. He asked Vivian about me every month. Vivian had asked me if she could tell him about my life. I nodded. She could tell him anything except my daughter. Vivian''s business had transferred domestically. Herpany was moving back. And she was returning home to get married. I would go back with her for her wedding. My daughter developed slowly. She looked younger than children age. And she didn''t take vermel Antonio at all. He already a son. I figured he wouldn''t care much about this daughter. The Lies He Told Me 107 The day we returned. Vivian was detained for work at thest minute. She asked her boyfriend toe back with us first. When we got off the ne, Antonio was waiting for me outside. Vivian came to my ce often for dinner. So, her boyfriend was familiar to me and my daughter. He was holding my daughter''s hand, and Antonio misunderstood. Fits of pain ran through Antonio''s chest. He felt like there was a lump in his throat. He couldn''t breathe. When we came closer, he exerted all his strength to speak. "You''re...back." I only hummed slightly. Years had passed. The romantic feelings were gone. The minute I saw him, I knew I was over him. When we came out of the airport, Antonio offered to give me a lift. Sensing that Antonio might''ve misunderstood, Vivian''s get thanks. We have get didn''t exin. Instead, he car Standing there, Antonio watched our car drive away. My daughter asked, "Mom, who is that strange man? "It looks like he''s about to cry. Do adults cry?" I stroked her soft hair and didn''t look back. "He''s a friend of mine. I guess. something got into his eyes el swhovel Before long. Vivian called me. Antonio asked her about my daughter. She stuck to our stol told him I adopted a daugh I and Antonio believed. The Lies He Told Me 108 Several dayster, Vivian came back and began preparing for her wedding. She let me take care of business. For the first few days, I kept my daughterpany. Then, I focused on work. Somehow, Antonio found out where I lived. I saw his car parked downstairs all night recently. It had been going on several nights in a row. I pretended not to know and didn''t do anything about it. He was basically a stranger to me now. A stranger didn''t affect me easily. I took my daughter to Vivian''s wedding and ran into Antonio and his parents. Vivian was his cousin. Most of their acquaintances knew me. They began whispering when they saw me with a kid. People stared. Antonio stood beside me to block their gazes. He also shielded me from Lana''s resentful look. The ones who hated Lana took this chance to get revenge. Someone asked me, "Grace, is this your daughter with Antonio? "Lana has both a grandson and a granddaughter. Lucky her!" I didn''t care what they thought or said about me, but I wouldn''t allow them toment on my daughter. This woman was one year than wri Lan Wa, but her face was Burel I smiled at her. "You''re the lucky one. You have so many sons." 7th bastard had Herged. It was a been 10-year-old boy. Hearing that woman shut up and myel Worried they might see the resemnce, I kept my daughter behind me when the Kauwere around. As soon as the over, I''d leave with my daughter. However, my watch wasn''t close enough. When I wasn''t paying attention, she ran to Lana, looked up at her, and said, "Lady, you can''t keep staring at my mommy." was The Lies He Told Me 109 Lana was surprised. She looked at my daughter in disbelief and caressed her face with trembling hands. "Tell me. How old are you?" My daughter gestured with her fingers and told Lana as I had told her. ¡°Four." Instantly, Lana''s eyes dimmed. She mumbled, "You look so much like me." The girl in front of her looked exactly like her when she was little. My heart was pounding. Lana''s expression told me something was wrong. Afraid that she might find out, I hurried to my daughter to take her away. A five or six-year- old boy suddenly called out, "Liar! Didn''t you say you were five years old just now?" My daughter looked up at me, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Mom, I forgot." I closed my eyes. I had to face reality. The good thing was that Antonio had a son, and his parents had a grandson. None of them could take my daughter away from me. They asked Vivian who my daughter was. When she looked at me, nodded. After the wedding, my daughter and I went to the Kaufmans'' old I residence with Antonio''s parents. In the car, Lana held my daughter all the time. She adored the girl. Even Antonio''s dad smiled, which was a rare sight. gaze Antonio was thest one to enter the house. He was ecstatic. His ga followed my daughter all the time. When the houseworker took my daughter outside for fun, I finally spoke. "She''s my daughter. I won''t let you keep her." Sensing that I was determined, Lana disyed her tough side. "She''s our granddaughter. You can''t take her with you. How much do you want? Just tell me." The conversation was going nowhere. I grabbed my purse to leave. Antonio stopped me at the door. "You''ve done a great job raising our daughter. My mom doesn''t have the final say. I could feet how excited he was. And he b several times tenderer the Despite everything, his er mollified me a lot. "You have a son, and you two have a grandson. Why do you have to take my daughter away from me?" The expressions of Antonio and his parents changed instantly. Antonio was 4oked nonchnt as if I didcern him. And his parents about something than et disyed a look of disgust Was this really happening? That boy was their precious grandson! The Lies He Told Me 110 That evening. Vivian told me what happened. After I left. Antonio sent away Amber''s son. When he was four, Antonio''s parents found the boy and brought him back. However. Antonio wouldn''t ept him. For that reason, to this day, that boy''s surname was still not Kaufman. For years, they hadn''t lived together. The boy had many bad habits, which Antonio''s parents didn''t like, and because of him, Antonio didn''te home anymore. Gradually, the old couple grew alienated from their grandson. The boy stayed in his room all day, talking to no one. He was a loner. "What about Amber? Doesn''t she care?" Vivian lowered her voice on the phone as if in case someone might overhear their conversation. "I hear that Amber set Antonio up back then. She drugged his wine." Vivian told me that after watching the video I left, Antonio got suspicious. I made that video in Amber''s ce. Now that I''d seen her true colors, I tant ket see her unless I was well Antonio found out something soon. With the evidence, he sent Amber to prison resolutely. I had mixed feelings when I heard this. Never had I expected it to be like this. I felt bad for Amber''s son. Knowing we had a daughter, Antonio hoped we could get back together. His parents supported him on this. If we remarried, they''d be able to see their granddaughter every day. Antonio pursued me as he had done before. He would try everything. had to avoid him. Seeing mele that, Vivian advised me to go back abroad. I thought so. When I talked to my daughter about this, she agreed. But I noticed her hesitation. I said nothing and waited for her to tell me how she really felt. "Mom, I like it here. Can we stay?" I asked, "Do you like the gentleman who oftenes downstairs?" My daughter was very bright and understanding. She had never asked me about her dad. "Is he my dad?" Her eyes sparkled. I said, "Yes, he is." I wanted my daughter to be happy, so I decided to stay. Although Antonio kept pestering me, I could handle him. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 111 I asked Antonio out to talk. I called him three times before he finally agreed. We knew each other too well. If I hadn''t asked to meet in private, there might still be a chance for us to be together. Now, he knew it wouldn''t happen. "You won''t be with me even for our daughter''s sake?" Antonio asked humbly. It irritated me. "Antonio, first of all, I''m a human being. Then, I''m a mother. "I''ll do anything for my daughter if I want to." I scarcely thought about our past in the past few years, much less what happened between him and Amber. But right now, to make him give up, I had to reopen the scar and feel the unbearable pain all over again. Stirring my coffee, I asked faintly, "Antonio, I remember you never drink anything strangers offer." I looked up and surveyed him. "Why did you drink the wine Amber brought you?" Antonio clenched his hands suddenly, his lips trembling uncontrobly. After a while, he closed his eyes in despair. "That night, you were attracted to Amber." That was is the fact I was afraid to face when he exined to me night. Many swno him threw themselves a had never been Swove tempted. . Even if it was only for a second, the attraction existed. That was how Amber took the opportunity. Antonio loved Amber. He was enchanted. else. He just wouldn''t anyone et He knew this better than anyone et When I left, Antonio cried again. I, however, would never shed tears for him again. The end. The Lies He Told Me 112 Part 4: 1 I''d secretly dated Antonio Kaufman, my brother''s best friend, for seven years. I always believed a proposal was inevitable. Then I discovered he was waiting for his first love to return. I was a ceholder, a convenient means to an end. *** I followed Antonio to a bar, eavesdropping on his conversation with friends. "Antonio, now that your true love is back, what about Grace?" one asked. Antonio''s silence hung heavy in the air. Another man snickered, "Freddy warned us off his sis... He wouldn''t let anyone hurt her." It wasmon knowledge. "Alicia dumped me. I was just trying to get back at her." Antonio finally said, his voice so cold it felt like a stranger''s. Later, at Alicia Hogan''s wee- back party, Antonio showered me with attention. But when Alicia bolted out in tears, he shoved me aside, chasing after her. I stumbled into a table, scalding myself and ruining my dress. Returning home, humiliated and hurting, I marched into Antonio''s study. A room I''d been forbidden to enter in seven years. There, on his desk, was a photo of him kissing Alicia. Heartbreak overwhelming me, I called my brother overseas. "About your suggestion of an arranged marriage, I''ve reconsidered. I''m in!" "Grace, are you alright?" Freddy''s voice wasced with worry. I forced a cheerful tone. "Fine. I''ve just been thinking. It''s time I got married." Freddy''s voice rxed. "When will you be back? You should meet him first." "No need. Let''s just do it. The sooner I agree, the sooner thepany''s problems are solved. Start nning the wedding. Let''s make it month. from now," I said. "OK. By the way, are you still in touch with Antonio? I heard his first love is back. Invite him to the wedding Freddy''s tone was serious, devoid of humor. It hit me then: he knew about Alicia. That exined Antonio''s insistence on keeping our rtionship secret. I lowered my voice. "We are not that close anymore. Hearing the door unlock, I quickly said goodbye to Freddy and ended the call. I looked up to meet Antonio''s smiling eyes. "Who are you not close with?" "You." I tly replied. He raised an eyebrow and pulled me into his arms. "We share a bed every night. You''re saying we''re not close?" Antonio whispered, nibbling my earlobe. The thought of his lips on another woman churned my stomach. As I struggled, I noticed a hickey on his neck. Definitely not from me. I pulled away with renewed force. Antonio brushed against my burned skin, sending a jolt of pain through me that brought tears to my eyes. "What''s wrong, Grace? Are you feeling okay?" Antonio fussed, noticing my tears. He pulled up my sleeve, revealing the angry red burn on my wrist. His voice trembled, "What happened? When did you burn yourself? Why didn''t you tell me?" fo He seemed to have forgotten he was the one who had pushed me into the table. I remained silent, unsure whether to remind him of his actions. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 113 Part 4:2 "Hey, stop crying. I''ll get the first aid kit," Antonio said, kissing my cheek. softly. He grumbled as he retrieved it. "You''re not a child. Why are you always getting hurt? How will you survive without me?" I stared at him, numb. If he didn''t love me, why this charade of concern? I was exhausted by the pretense. That night, I tossed and turned, drenched in sweat. At daybreak, Antonio pulled me from bed. I shoved him off, but he leaned in to kiss me. I almost pped him instinctively, stopping myself just in time. He barely grazed my lips. "Awake?" he asked. I turned away, wiping my mouth in disgust. "It''s the weekend. Let me sleep." Antonio looked at me as if I were unreasonable. "You had a feverst night. We''re going to the hospital." Despite feeling fine, I couldn''t dissuade him. In the hospital hallway, we encountered Alicia, limping on a twisted ankle. Antonio''s tenderness toward me vanished, reced by immediate concern for her. As if I didn''t exist, he rushed to her side. "How did you get hurt?" Alicia smiled but her eyes met mine. "Just twisted my ankle. Small world. Are you here to see a doctor too?" she said Antonio hesitated, then looked away from "My sis has a cold. her to see a doctor." Con swnont He always introduced me as his sister, iming he was looking after met while Freddy was abroad. Only a few closest friends knew our romance. Alicia hall. "Your guys go ahead. I''m the clinic on the other side ed, gesturing down the s to sweet She hopped forward, and without a word, Antonio scooped her into his arms. "I''ll take you. Grace, wait here a minute." A wave of weakness washed over me at the sight of them together. I leaned against the wall, speechless. Antonio didn''t wait for a reply, simply carrying Alicia away. His actions betrayed his true feelings. He seemed oblivious to the depth of his love for her I forced a smile and went to my own appointment. The weakness had a cause-my temperature was 41.3 degrees Celsius. Neglecting the burn.bined with my emotional turmoil, had led to an infection. I needed an IV. I instinctively reached for my phone to call Antonio, then stopped. "What a bad habit," I thought, pushing the phone back into my meds alone. Content belo t and heading off to get The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 114 Part 4:3 The IV drip intensified my dizziness. I stumbled, barely catching myself. Antonio hadn''t returned, not a single call or text. Five hours passed. Reluctantly. I dialed his number. He sounded surprised I was still at the hospital. "Grace, I''m so sorry. I meant toe back after taking Alicia home, but she had stomach cramps.....¡± A woman''s voice interrupted. "Sir, your order is served. Enjoy your dinner!" Antonio covered the phone, but I still heard Alicia. "Antonio, you should go back." Disappointment washed over me again. Antonio piped up. "Grace, go home. I''ll exinter." What was there to exin? Another lie, mostly likely. I hung up, asked the nurse to discharge me, and went home alone. Antonio didn''t appear all night. Kept awake by fireworks, I worked on a custom jewelry design for a client. Then, a Facebook notification shed. Alicia had posted a photo of herself under the fireworks, captioned, "I know you still love me. I froze. Logging out. I realized I''d been logged into Antonio''s ount. Feeling suffocated, I burrowed under the covers and forced myself to sleep The next day, I went to work and handed in my resignation. My manager, aware of my impending marriage and return home, expressed both happiness and regret. "You''ve been fantastic here. But I wish you all the best," she said. Speechless. I hugged her and whispered my thanks for her support. Word spread among my colleagues and they insisted on a farewell dinner. I booked a room at our usual restaurant with Antonnio - mostly out of habit and convenience. During the meal, I ran into Alicia in the restroom. She smiled warmly. "Antonio ded this ce, right? The You n is their signature et dish. have to try it." I smiled back, ready to leave We weren''t on friendly terms. But she stopped me. "I''ve noticed Antonio always the shrimp he peels for you. Arent belongs to .no sensitive to spice, too?" The word "too" struck me. I could handle spice, but Antonio always rinsed the shrimp, iming spicy food wasn''t good for women. I''d assumed it was concern for my health. Now, it seemed like a ingrained habit. a habit formed for Alicia, the one who truly couldn''t tolerate spice. The Lies He Told Me 115 Part 4:4 Seeing me remain silent, Alicia tilted her head, scrutinizing my face. "I''ve been wanting to say this since we first met," she said. "Don''t you think we look alike?" Feeling utterly ashamed and humiliated, I had to run away under her triumphant gaze. Back in the private room, my colleagues'' warm greetings finally made me feel better. As I was about to shake off the frustration, the door burst open. Antonio paused, surprised by the packed room, and then his eyes found me. There was a storm brewing in them, but I couldn''t figure out why. He balled his fists and called my name, demanding I step outside. I followed him, puzzled, but got pped across the face in the hallway. It was the first time he had ever done this to me. He met my shocked look with fury, no trace of guilt. "Why did you push Alicia? You knew her ankle was hurt. I''ve told you I would exinter. Why were you so aggressive?" My cheek stung with pain. Alicia was limping toward us, her shirt crumpled and dirty. I tried to exin, but she fell to the ground. Antonio pushed me away and rushed to her side, holding her in his arms. "What are you doing here?" he asked, sounding worried. "I was going to bring her to apologize to you." Alicia shook her head, her eyes red. "It''s okay. It''s not a big deal. She didn''t mean it. Don''t be too hard on her. "If Freddy knew you hurt his sister, he might get angry with you." At the mention of Freddy, Antonio''s eyes flickered with unease. But when he looked at Alicia, he grew furious again. "Freddy entrusted her to me. If she did something wrong. I gotta set her straight." he stated. I scoffed and couldn''t help asking, "What exactly did I do? You need proof for an usation. You''re just throwing charges at me and even getting physical. Isn''t that a bit unfair?" Antonio clenched his fists, his gaze piercing as he used, "You knew the bathroom was a blind spot with no cameras, so you started a fight, right?" I felt both amused and heartbroken. "Since there are no cameras, how can you pin this on me?" "Are you implying Alicia is setting you up? There''s no reason for her to do that. Plus, I''ve known her for years. She''s not a liar," said Antonio. "You mean I''m a liar?" I asked. We had been together for seven years, and figured Antonio would have some trust in me. But with Alicia around, it was like those years meant nothing. A mere sentence from her was enough to convict me. There wast no chance for me to defend myself. It was just in favoritism. In the end. I was nothing more than a substitute. There was no use in fighting it, so I ignored Antonio''s cursing and walked away. I had a p mark on my cheek, and I didn''t want to bring everyone down, so I didn''t head back to the private room. I went to the front desk, settled the bill, and texted everyone that I had to leave due to an urgent matter, but they should have a good time. The bill was on me. The Lies He Told Me 116 Part 4:5 I trudged home, dead tired, and for the first time. I really looked at the ce I had called home for seven years. Every corner was filled with Antonio''s and my sweet memories. All those perfect moments now felt like a million knives piercing my heart. I pulled out a huge cardboard box and stayed up all night packing away those memories. The matching couple''s slippers, the matching couple''s mugs, the keychains that could find each other within 10 meters, and a whole box o pictures of us... These things were my lifeline when I was feeling insecure, proof that Antonio and I were a real couple. Yet, they were just trash now. Antonio hadn''t been home for two weeks. During that time, I had finished my design work and pretty much cleaned out the house. I got rid of all the furniture I had bought, and now the ce was back to how it was when I first moved in. The ck and white decor was simple, like one could see everyer from the front door. The night before I was set to leave, I figured I should talk things through with Antonio, so I gave him a call. He just kept hanging up on me. After a bit, he texted me, "If you haven''t realized your mistake, if you''re not going to apologize to Alicia for real, then there''s no need to talk." With a wry smile, I thought if that was the case, maybe it was better if we didn''t talk. I had a flight to catch the next morning, so I grabbed my suitcase and headed out the door. This house was once so cozy andforting, but now, as I walked out, all I felt was a weight lifted off my shoulders. Just before I got on the ne, my phone blew up with birthday messages. They sent their best wishes for a great future. Some prayed for my safety and happiness, and others hoped for perfect love and a good partner. After replying to them one by one, I switched off my phone. As the ne took off, I made a silent promise to myself, "I''ll find my happiness!" With all these good wishes, I was sure I would find my Mr. Right. The ne was flying overseas. The sun was shining brightly outside, and the sky was a stunning shade of blue. I was fascinated, watching the changing scenes outside the window. Clouds were rolling by, and now and then, there was a burst of red light catching my eye. A sudden burst of creativity hit me, and I quickly started sketching. By the time I was done, night had fallen outside. It was surreal, like I had traveled through time. I left on the 27th in the morning and arrived on the 26th at night. With this amazing feeling, I stepped out of the airport. There, I saw my parents and Freddy, all smiles, waving at me. I rushed over with my luggage, hugged my mom, and basked in the warmth I had missed for so long. Years ago, I followed my heart and went against my parents'' wishes to study in Riverwick. Despite reluctance, they let me go. Who would have thought that I left for eight years, onlying back for a brief Christmas visit? They missed me terribly. It was my fault. Feeling the urge to cry, I quickly pulled away from my mom. "Mom, I''m starving." With a tender smile, she caressed my face, affection written all ov her face. "Let''s go home. I''ll make your favorite pasta." I nodded. "Awesome." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 117 Part 4:6 I walked out of the airport, my dad on one side and my mom on the other. our faces lit up with smiles. It was a world away from Antonio''s situation. At that very moment. Antonio was on the floor, his world crashing down. He tried calling me again and again. Antonio had a reminder set on his phone for my birthday every year, and this year was no exception. On the 27th, early in the morning, he was woken up by his rm while staying in Alicia''s guest room. He got up as usual, ready to head out for groceries to celebrate my birthday. The gift, a custom-made bracelet, was all set. But when he walked into the living room and saw Alicia, he hesitated. That was because I hadn''t apologized to Alicia yet. He was puzzled. I was usually sopliant, so why was I being so stubborn this time? Feeling uneasy at Alicia''s ce for half a day and getting no messages from me, he decided to head home. When he opened the door to the house he knew so well, the decor made him doubt if he went to the wrong ce. He left and entered again, but the house was still the same, with the same cold colors from seven years ago. In a daze, he searched every room for any trace of me He searched high and low but couldn''t find anything that was mine. "What''s going on?" He mumbled to himself as he took out his phone to call me, only to be met with a recorded voice that drove him nearly crazy. He tried to message me on social media, but he kept getting notifications that I had If it weren''t for his vivid memories of the past seven years, he might have thought I was just a dream. Lost in thought, he recalled a tracking app we used for couples. He opened it, only to find that I had turned off my location sharing. Looking at the travel logs, he saw that I had used the app to approach him half a month ago, but then stopped just dozens of meters away and left without meeting him. His instincts told me that something significant had happened that day. in He checked the calendar. When he saw the date, his phone slipped, hitting the floor with a crack. The screen split into a spiderweb of shards. The dinner was set at a hotel that night. All the bigwigs from my dad''s business were there. I was on my feet all night, toasting, until my legs felt like jelly. I ducked into a guest room to catch my breath. Just as I was lying on the bed, I heard a sound from the bathroom that crept me out. "Who''s there?" I shouted, but it was met with silence. My curiosity got the best of me, and I tiptoed toward the door. The moment I opened it, I was pulled in with a force. My scream was cut short, and I stared at the man in front of me. He was soaking wet, holding me up against the wall, his breath hot and rapid against my face. It took na moment to get a clear look my , and then he whisperedet so softly it was almost "Grace?" I just blinked, too shocked to speak. He released me, and then, just like that, he slumped onto me. "Fancy meeting you here," he said. "I''m your fiance. How about you do me a favor?" "W- What do you mean, a favor?" I stammered, immediately regretting my choice of words. "Why would I believe you?" He chuckled, his breath brushing against my face, making me feel a little tingly. "Good point," he said. "I''ve got a wallet and phone in my pocket. You can call anyone to verify." He didn''t seem to be lying, so I gently pushed him off, pulled out his wallet, and checked his name on the ID. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 118 Part 4:7 What he said was true! "Are you a bit under the weather?" I slipped the wallet back into his pocket, sizing him up. He had a tall, slender frame. If he wasn''t so out of it, I would only be able to see his chin from this close. His skin was tanned, and his nose was straight. He was really drop- dead gorgeous. "No, I''ve just been tricked," he said. I stopped in my tracks, helping him toward the bed. Was it toote to leave now? As if he could read my mind, he suddenly grabbed my arm, pulled me close, and threw me onto the bed. "It''s toote now," he said. I sprang up from the bed, but he pushed me back down. "If you''re not nning to call off the wedding, could you do me a favor?" What should I say?? I wasn''t nning to call off the wedding, but being with a guy I had just mel... "Great, you''re staying," he said. He waited for a bit, and it looked like he was sure about how I felt. Then he didn''t waste a moment kissing me right there. Two hourster. I was rubbing my wrist, my eyes a bit red. The guy who started all this was sleeping like a baby. What a jerk! I grabbed the pillow, about to hit him, when there was a knock at the door. Then Freddy''s voice came through. "Samuel." I didn''t know what to do, but Samuel Floyd slipped past me. cracked the door open, and pulled Freddy into the room. Freddy looked at me and then shifted his gaze to Samuel, his eyes widened in shock. "I wanted you guys to get acquainted quickly, but I didn''t mean for you to get this close so soon!" Freddy shouted. ¡°Shut up!¡± Samuel''s voice was feeble but sharp as he slumped back onto the bed. Freddy''s fists balled up in anger. "Damn! I haven''t punched you, and you''re yelling at me? What did you do to Grace? Just because you''re engaged doesn''t mean you can act like a brute!" As Freddy was about to throw a punch, I jumped in to stop him. "Freddy, it''s not what you think." "What is it then?" Freddy''s face was flushed as he shot me an angry stare. I cleared my throat, feeling uneasy. We hadn''t reached the final part, but we had crossed some lines that friends shouldn''t. How did I exin this mess to him? While I wa at a loss for words, Samuel broke the silence. "You know my family''s situation. I was cornered and had no other choice." Freddy''s frown remained, but his anger subsided a bit. On the ride home, I couldn''t help but ask about Samuel Freddy let out a sigh and filled me in It turned out that Samuel''s grandfather, David Floyd, had ns to pass the reins of thepany to Samuel after his marriage was settled. But Samuel''s aunt, re Walsh, had other ideas. She figured her husband and Samuel''s dad should split thepany down the middle. lowever, those two weren''t the sharpest tools in the shed. Especially his unele, Richard Floyd who got hustled and lost a bunch of cash. If it weren''t for Samuel vet stepping in, the Floyd family''s wealth could have been cut in half. No way David would hand over the family''s legacy to someone like that. When re couldn''t sway David, she decided to make her move on Samuel. To wreck the marriage, re yed dirty behind the scenes. She really went all out to make sure that marringe never happened. Samuel was always on guard against re, but he never expected that she would go as far as to use her own grown son to pull off her schemes. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 119 Part 4:8 Samuel wasn''t on guard against his cousin, and he got drugged. I couldn''t help but sigh. Things wereplicated in those wealthy families. My family was different, a straight line for generations, and then my mom added another member, making me the bonus kid. Before I could crack a couple of jokes, Freddy''s phone went off. I took a peek, not expecting it to be Antonio on the other end. Freddy was busy navigating a turn, so he handed me the phone. I paused for a beat, answered, and put it on the speaker. Antonio sounded desperate. The moment he got through, he blurted out, "Freddy, is Grace. there?" Freddy shot me a look, grinning, "Yeah, how do you know?" "I..." Antonio hesitated, not wanting to say too much, and just asked, "Can I speak to her? I want to ask her about something." Freddy''sughter grew. "Sure thing. She''s right here with me. She can hear you." Antonio went quiet for a moment and then tentatively said, "Grace, could we talk alone?" Freddy finally caught on that something was off, giving me a couple of sideways looks. His voice had a hint of a warning when he spoke. "What''s the big secret? Why can''t I listen? You''re not trying to get advice from Grace on how to win back your old me, are you?" Antonio sighed deeply, "Alicia and I are history. It''s over. "Grace, can we have a chat? It''ll just take a few minutes." "Damn!" Freddy cursed, hitting the brakes so hard that the car screeched to a halt by the roadside. "Antonio, don''t push your luck. Do you think I''m clueless about your obsession with Alicia? You''ve been through backup after backup. Now you''re trying to get with Grace? She''s my sister! We''ve been friends for years. Don''t push me to fly over there and teach you a lesson." Once he was done with his tirade, Freddy ended the call and chucked his phone into the storage box. Antonio kept calling but he ignored it. He looked back at me. "What''s really going on between you guys? I thought you said you weren''t close?" I bit my lip, realizing the gig was up, and Iid out everything over the years. When I finished, his eyes v "It''s not your fault. I messed up. I should''ve told you about Alicia. Then you wouldn''t have fallen so hard.¡± I shook my head, a sense of warmth spreading through me. "I was the one being stubborn and dumb. He kept our rtionship. you for seven years. I sho secret. and didn''te back to see known something was off Freddy gave my head a rub. ¡°It''s alright. It''ll get better. Samuel is a good guy I''d bet my life on it." Antonio loved his pride. After being scolded by Freddy, I figured we were done for good. But the next morning, as we were all sitting around the table for breakfast, the maid came in and said someone was at the door asking for me. Stepping outside. I was greeted by the sight of Antonio in the suit I adored, a bouquet of flowers in his hands, and a soft smile on his face. "Grace, I''ve thought a lot about it. I was way out of line that day. I shouldn''t have lost my cool and shouldn''t have made you sad. Alicia and I are not what you might be thinking. We''re just friends now. If it bothers you, I can stop seeing her." The Lies He Told Me 120 Part 4:9 I locked eyes with Antonio, clueless about what he was up to. It was obvious to everyone that he had feelings for Alicia. With Alicia back in the picture, wouldn''t it be a good thing for him if I left? So why was he following me all the way here, causing a scene? Noticing my silence, he took out a red velvet box and dropped to one knee. "Grace, I know I''ve been a jerk. I promise I''ll make it right," he pleaded. "Be my wife. I swear that you''ll be the only one for me." I saw a gleaming pink diamond in the box. I had fantasized about this scene so many times. But I was d that he never actually gave me the ring. As I reached out, right when his eyes started to sparkle with hope, I shut the box. "Antonio, I was into you because I thought you were a decent, amazing guy. But I found out you were not the person I imagined. You''re aplete and utter liar. "You''ve got no scruples. You toy with your friend''s sister without batting an eye. "Why should Imit my life to someone like you?" Each sentence drained the color from Antonio''s face. Ile shook his head. too weak to defend himself "I''m going to get married," I added. His head jolted up, his eyes packed with shock. I said, "We haven''t known each other for long, but I''m happy with him. He''s attractive, refined, engagine and est of all, he''s a man of integrity. ?wnovel "So, just leave me alone from now on, okay?" "No." Antonio ditched the flowers and the ring, clutched my wrists, and hit his knees, not budging an inch. "Grace, I messed up. I thought I had Alicia on the brain. But once you were gone, it hit me that you''re the one who matters. "You can''t imagine what I''ve gone through the past few days. I haven''t been able to eat or sleep. I stayed up until midnight, constantly calling Freddy for your whereabouts. When I couldn''t find you, I was losing it. "Come on. Give me another shot. We''ve had seven years together. We shared all those sweet moments. Can you really just toss them aside?" His speech made me want tough. "Antonio, be honest with yourself. I was there with you, but who was really on your mind? Who did you take me for when we made out?" I tugged at his grip, feeling more and more repulsed with every second. Two days before I left, as I was packing, it hit me that most of my clothes, jewels, and handbags weren''t even my style. Especially those pieces I bought with Antonio. They were all Alicia''s style. I didn''t look like Alicia that much. I just sort of resembled her, and Antonio''s influence on my style made me even more like her. I finally wrenched my wrists free, but I stumbled back from the force. A firm hand caught me, steadying me with an arm around my shoulders. I turned to see Samuel, his face as cold as ice. "When did you get here?" When he looked at me, there was a slight smile ying on his lips. "Since this guy stood here with his flowers." The Lies He Told Me 121 Part 4: 10 I felt a mix of surprise and guilt. "So you saw the whole thing?" "Yep Samuel nodded. Seeing us all cozy. Antonio shot up from the ground, his eyes bloodshot as he grilled me. "Who the hell is this guy?" Samuel, trying to provoke him on purpose, let his hand glide from my shoulder to my waist. "Her fiance," he announced. Bulkha. Take your hand off Grace, he''s just lying, right? You brought ham here to make me jealous, didn''t you?" "You really think highly of yourself." Freddy''s voice cut through the tensson from behind us. Antonio indinctively retreated. Samuel and I spun around to see Freddy approaching, a baseball bat in tow. I wanted to intervene, but Samuel, still holding me close, guided us out of the way "What are you doing? Freddy''s got a heavy hand," I said. Samuel just grmed, "Rx. I''ve got this No one''s dying today" The shipped out his phone and dialed "Get an ambnce on standby de the Parris ce," he ordered: I was rendered speechless draws to krutted as he looked from Freddy to me. I felt a mix of surprise and guilt. "So you saw the whole thing?" "Yep." Samuel nodded. Seeing us all cozy. Antonio shot up from the ground, his eyes bloodshot as he grilled me, "Who the hell is this guy?" Samuel, trying to provoke him on purpose, let his hand glide from my shoulder to my waist. "Her fiance," he announced. "Bullshit. Take your hand off. Grace, he''s just lying, right? You brought him here to make me jealous, didn''t you?" "You really think highly of yourself." Freddy''s voice cut through the tension from behind us. Antonio instinctively retreated. Samuel and I spun around to see Freddy approaching, a baseball bat in tow. I wanted to intervene, but Samuel, still holding me close, guided us out of the way. "What are you doing? Freddy''s got a heavy hand," I said. Samuel just grinned, "Rx. I''ve got this. No one''s dying today." He whipped out his phone and dialed. "Get an ambnce on standby outside the Parrish''s ce," he ordered. I was rendered speechless. Antonio''s brows knitted as he looked from Freddy to me. He asked. "Grace, we''re not done, are we? Our story hasn''t finished. You can''t marry someone else. Even if he is your fiance, you should back out." Freddy just sneered and swung that bat at Antonio''s leg without a second thought. Antonio howled in pain and hit the dirt. Freddy scolded. "I''ve been out here listening, and let me tell you, you''ve crossed the line messing with Grace, and you dared to hit her? Antonio. you''re not my friend anymore." And with that, he raised the bat again. Antonio let out a painful groan, but he kept his eyes on me, dragging himself over. "Stop. Freddy. That''s enough," I said. Freddy''s bat was mid-swing, frozen in the air. Grinning through his pain, Antonio said, "There it is. You still care about me. You can''t just walk away, Grace." I shook off Samuel''s hold, strode up to Antonio, and knelt down right in front of him. Then I pped him hard. "This p settled our score, Antonio. We''re even. "And don''t talk about a breakup. You never even called me your girlfriend. We were never official, so there''s nothing to break. "Let me make this crystal clear. I''m over you, Antonio. Stay out of my life." With that, I grabbed Freddy''s arm, ready to pull him away. But Freddy refused to leave. I stomped my foot in frustration. "Seriously? You want to risk it all for this jerk?" He gritted his teeth, chucked the bat aside, and dropped to the ground,nding a few more punches on Antonio''s face. NABIL When Freddy was finally done, Samuel signaled to the ambnce. waiting in the distance. A team of medical staff rushed over, loaded Antonio onto a stretcher, an@carted him off. As we were about to head back inside, Antonio, despite his condition, had the audacity to call out to Samuel, "I was with her for seven years. Are you sure you want to marry her?" Samuel and Freddy turned to look at him, but I held Freddy back. I didn''t expect Samuel to put his foot on Antonio''s injured leg and ground it down. "You''re a disgrace," Samuel said. "But don''t worry. I''ll make her so happy that it''ll hurt you to watch." "Get him out of here," Samuel ordered. Once Antonio was gone, Samuel came over, took my hand, and said, "Let''s get out of here. I''ll take you out for shopping." I blinked in surprise. With such a big thing happening, he neither asked about it nor said anything else. Yet, he just proposed we go shopping? The Lies He Told Me 122 Part 4: 11 "Why?" I couldn''t help but ask. Samuel looked back at me. "My mom says shopping cheers a woman up when she''s down." Freddy piped up. "Count me in. I''m also feeling down." Samuel yfully nudged him aside and then he steered me off. On the way. I tried to exin the whole story, but Samuel cut me off, "It''s water under the bridge. I don''t want you picking at old sears. Trust me. I don''t mind it. "I''d rather hear more about how you praise me as a man of integrity. That really hits the spot. Keep thoseplimentsing!" he joked, and it made meugh. We returned with so much stuff from our shopping spree. The car''s trunk and back seat were both stuffed. Freddy, a little jealous, cuddled my cat and made fun of us. The tense mood brought by Antonio was soon overshadowed by theughter On our wedding day, Antonio and Alicia were there. They were on the guest list this time. Antonio, with a cast on his leg, was leaning on Alicia for support. Security was all over them, making sure they didn''t make any unexpected moves I looked at Samuel with confusion, but he shrugged it off. ¡°Easier to keep an eye on them here. Less chance for drama." Freddy curled his lip. "You just wanted them to witness the wedding with their own eyes so they would feel more devastated." As we swapped rings, chaos broke out on Antonio''s end. He gave Alicia a push. She hit her head on the table''s edge and bled, but he didn''t even nce at her. It was the same thing at Alicia''s wee- back bash. When he moved so abruptly that the soup spilled all over me, he didn''t even turn his head but rushed out to chase after Alicia. Antonio wanted to charge over and shout, but the security was on him, pinning him back. They covered his mouth to stifle his cries. The loud pops of the confetti poppers and the joyful music drowned out any si After the wedding ceremony ended, I walked up to them. Staring at the awkward Alicia, I asked her calmly, "Look at us now. Do we still look alike?" She just gaped at me and then broke into a mix of tears andughter. "Who cares if we look alike? The person he truly loved was never either of us." Antonio shot her a re. "Bullshit. I did love you, but that was then. Grace''s the one I love now. "You''re the one who messed up bying back. You ruined everything. and caused trouble between Grace and me." I cut in. "Antonio, cut the act. I''ve been to your study." Antonio widened eyes. He crumpled to the ground, speechless. Samuel and I walked away together. Barely had we moved when Samuel joked. "Let''s go. We''ve got a crowd waiting to y the wedding game." I yfully pinched his arm, and he responded by pulling me close for a Kiss. Word had it that Antonioid all the me on Alicia and made her life a living hell. She lost her job over and over again. Her life was a struggle, and in a moment of despair, she drove into him. His leg, not yet healed from a past break. was crushed, leaving him paralyzed. The Kaufman family hounded Alicia, and with no hope left, she took a leap from the top of the Kaufman Group building. The Kaufman Group lost its sessor and got caught up in a murder case. Their stock nosedived, and soon enough, they were forced into bankruptcy by rivalpanies. Samuel made a call to make sure Antonio survived. When I looked puzzled, he rified "I always keep my promises. I said he''d watch you happy for the rest of your days, and he can''t kick the bucket before that." fo Words failed me. Freddy was right. Samuel was totally cunning. ?? Yet, I was sure he would bring me happiness and a safe ce to call home. The end. The Lies He Told Me 123 "I didn''t say anything. Why would you think I''m angry?" I felt my fingers turned icy. Antonio suddenly felt like a stranger. We''d navigated his decade-long entrepreneurial journey together, side-by-side. Now, I was reduced to nothing more than a means to end. Antonio roared, "What do you mean by that? She''s your sister! Why can''t you show her some concern?" Swallowing the ache in my chest, I took a deep breath. "She''s not my sister. She''s the bastard child of a mistress." His face contorted with rage, "Grace! How dare you speak to Ste like that! "Apologize to her right now! No wonder your own parents abandoned you! "No wonder no one likes you. "You''re repulsive!" He''d actually used my deepest insecurities against me. My father''s affair and my mother''s subsequent departure had left me feeling unwanted. I remembered Antonio rushing to my defense whenever he heard my parents arguing next door. "Grace." he''d soothed, "you are the best girl in the world. Even if no one else wants you. I''ll always love you." I had believed him. Growing up. I''d envisioned building a happy family with him, working tirelessly to contribute financially. But every time I''d mentioned marriage, he''d frowned. Now I understood why. He''d never loved me. Tears welled in my eyes as I turned away. Antonio''s eyes flickered. He seemed to realize he''d gone too far, "I rushed home today and neglected you." "It''s okay. You won''t have the opportunity to neglect me again." I replied, my voice cial. As I turned to leave, a message from my mom arrived. She had booked my flight. The departure date was in two weeks, the day of our wedding. The countdown to my wedding had be the countdown to my escape. I quietly discarded the wedding decorations and anything that reminded me of us. 17 The next day, Antonio called. "Grace, are you awake? I bought your favorite borscht. "I have to go into the office for an emergency, so we''ll need to reschedule. the wedding phovel "I was too harshst night. I apologize." He seemed surprised by my ready agreement. "Lots of people get married without a wedding," h added awkwardly, "We don''t need either." "I understand," I said slowly. This wedding would have no certificate, no photos, no officiant, and no bride. After the call, I focused on work, determined to put Antonio behind me. I submitted my resignation and arranged a farewell gathering with close colleagues. In the following days, I contacted my friends, informing them of the cancalled wedding. Their nes Were tinged with awkwardness, "Honestly," one admitted, "we all suspected "we all suspected you two would break upeventually t SWI The Lies He Told Me 124 My friend pulled up Antonio''s Facebook profile. "Antonio and Ste have been inseparabletely. "Anyone who didn''t know better would think were the woman in his photos." Antonio had blocked me on Facebook. He had never posted a single picture of me. Now, his profile was stered with images of Ste''s back: at amusement parks, trying on wedding dresses, watching the sunrise over the ocean. It was clear he was deeply in love with her. My friend looked at me with concern. "Don''t be too upset. If Antonio knew about Ste''s past, he would break up with her." "I''m fine. I''m over him," I smiled, genuinely feeling a sense of release. In a few days, I''d be gone from this ce forever. I wouldn''t waste another moment grieving over Antonio. When Antonio, whom I hadn''t seen for days, showed up, I didn''t react. He nced around, happily texting someone. "Didn''t you decorate the house?" he asked. "You said you wanted to keep things simple. So did I." He said nothing, his gaze falling on the small checkboard where I''d been counting down the days until the wedding. "Time flies. Our wedding is in a week." He said with a smile. I erased the number and wrote "5". "Our wedding is in five days." Antonio never paid attention to the details of my life. My mother called, and I stepped onto the balcony to take the call. When I returned, Antonio was still engrossed in his phone. "Who was that? I thought I heard you mention a visa." "Work." I said indifferently. "By the way, don''t bother nning a honeymoon. I''m too busy." Antonio. continued, still staring at his phone. "I know." I started packing my suitcase. Since Ste''s return, Antonio couldn''t bear to be away from her. Seeing me pack, Antonio suddenly asked, "Where''s your ring?" A momentter, he realized he wasn''t wearing his either. "I lost it," I said casually, unconcerned about the whereabouts of his ring. Antonio looked like he wanted to exin something, but his phone rang with Ste''s unique ringtone. He nced at it, stood up, and kissed my forehead. "Sorry, honey. Work has been crazy. make you the happiest once this alive is all over." He was suddenly overflowing with sweet nothings. I felt disgust instead of joy. I ignored him and continued packing. Time crawled by The day before the wedding arrived. The corresponding note on the calendar read "family dinner." It had been my greatest wish for over two decades. But I knew it would never happen. My mother would never forgive my father, and I would never forgive Antonio. I went to the Ferris wheel alone and watched the sunset. Meanwhile, Ste posted a picture of arge family dinner. My father was smiling at Antonio as he served him food. The caption read, "Both families met to finalize the wedding details." I was amused, not angry. Whose wedding, I wondered. Ste''s or mine? I blocked and deleted Ste. I started to type a message to Antonio, but after several revisions, I decided against sending it. Just as I was about to leave. alled, "Where are you? Why I at home? Send me your I miss you." He arrived shortly afterward. Getting into the car. I noticed a pink cushion on the passenger seat. Beneath it was a pair of whitece underwear. I sighed and climbed into the back. Antonio, still glued to his phone, didn''t notice. He casually asked, "Why the sudden trip to the amusement park? Are the wedding preparations finished?" "Almost," I replied tly. "I remember you''ve always wanted to ride Ferris wheel," . "I''ll take you somet when I''m free." The Lies He Told Me 125 I kept quiet about what Antonio was saying. "I''m not here to hassle you," he said. "It''s my folks who want to meet you." To Antonio, the wedding was my personal show. He only reached out when he wanted something from me. I was too tired to argue, ready to crash. At home, the table was a mess of leftover chicken and ham. My dad was chatting with Antonio''s dad. Antonio''s mom grabbed my hand, all warm and fuzzy. "So d to see you. I miss you so much." I managed a weak grin. She took a look at Ste and then leaned in. "What''s the deal with Ste and Antonio? She''s not exactly the bestpany. You should talk to Antonio about it." I just grunted, not really saying much. When I raised my head, Antonio was already next to Ste. He''d brought some wedding and bridesmaid dresses for us to try. "I know you''ve got enough on your te, so I got Ste to pick out your wedding dress. She''s got a better sense of style than you," he said, handing me the dress. I slipped the simple wedding dress on, only to find a big rip right down the middle. Ste, on the other hand, was in a white dress that trailed behind her. She looked more like the bride than I did. Antonio jumped in. "It''s probably a mix-up from the bridal shop. It''s not on Ste." Antonio didn''t give me a chance to speak. "It''ste. We can deal with the dress swap tomorrow," he decided. "Sounds good to me," I replied, eager to be rid of the wedding dress. Ste piped up, "How about we take a group photo instead?" She elbowed her way in, pushing me aside. Ste made sure to stand right by Antonio''s side. Just as the camera was about to click, she gave me another little shove. In the end, all I got was a blurry figure, too hazy to even tell who it was. Antonio wanted to try again. I waved it off with augh, "Let''s do it some other time. It''ste, and I''m outta here." The group photo was thest thing on my mind. Ste was all apologies, her eyes welling up with tears. "Please, don''t be mad at Antonio. I''ll run all over town tonight, trying to find you the perfect dress," she said and then bolted out, crying. Antonio shot me a look and went after her. 11 Feeling so tired and bored. I just left with the dress that was in tatters. Anyway, everything would be settled by tomorrow. Back at my ce, I started packing my things. I was upte, and I stumbled upon Antonio''s diary,pletely by ident. The diaryid out the tale of how Antonio and Ste crossed host his darkest days, in a for travelers. The pages that mattered most were torn right out. What remained was just a note. "This was the best time of my life." Page after page, it was filled with his yearning for Ste. The day he asked me to marry him, his diary had a confession. "I can''t make myself love her. Ste''s the o love. Please forgive me, God." I looked at myself in the mirror. With my white dress and long, straight hair Presembled a grown-up Ste. I figured, growing up together with Antonio, we''d have some kind of connection. But... He witnessed the pain Ste put me through, yet he put his trust in her. He was well aware of how much I loathed Ste, yet he made me into her substitute. Overwhelmed with a sense of injustice and rage, I smashed the mirror and chopped off the hair I''d let grow for ages. Once I was done with it all, I ripped off thest page of my diary. There, myst wish was scribbled down. "To don the most stunning wedding dress and tie the knot with my one and only, Antonio." Now, that dress was nothing but a shredded mess. The one I used to love with all my heart was now just a memory. I balled up the paper and let it fly out of my hand. I didn''t bring anything and hailed a cab, heading to the airport. Noon rolled around, and as I was gettingfy in my seat, Antonio''s call buzzed in. His voice was all wobbly, like he was trying to hold back the tears. "Grace, where the heck are you?" The loudspeakers started ring the takeoff warning. I ignored the call, switched off my phone, and reclined my seat, ready to catch some Zs. It had been a wild ridetely, and I was totally wiped out. The Lies He Told Me 126 After countless sleepless nights, I surprisingly caught some solid z''s on the flight. In my dreams. Antonio''s face kept showing up, like he was just waiting for me there. Back when we were just seven, we used to y games together. He''d tell me he was the groom, and I was the prettiest bride. When we turned eighteen, we made that game real. He vowed to hustle hard and give me a grand wedding. But when did things start to fall apart between us? Did it start after Ste showed up, or was it before that? I couldn''t even remember it anymore. Antonio had been the center of my world for as long as I could remember. No matter how much I tried to stay cool and get over him, it felt like my insides were being torn apart. Once Inded, I didn''t even have the guts to turn on my phone. "Grace!" My mom was waving at me, standing out in a sea of foreigners. It had been ages since west saw each other. She wasn''t the same woman I remembered, sitting on the couch, crying, waiting for my dad toe home. She was older, but she exuded more charm than before. "You''ve grown so much," she said, her voice filled with wonder. My mom kept touching my face, saying sorry over and over again. I just let go and hugged her tight. I said, "Mom, I''m not holding it against you. "You said I should love myself first before seeking love from others." Twenty years apart, my mom and I both made the same choice. "Grace, Antonio''s been calling non-stop," my mom warned me. She tried to dry my tears, but hers started flowing instead. "No matter what you choose, I''m with you all the way," she said, supporting me no matter what. My phone was blowing up with calls and messages from Antonio. Before I could even catch up on thetest, another call wasing in. "Grace..." he said, his voiceden with stress, like he was holding the whole world on his shoulders. I''d never heard Antonio this worked up before. I was puzzled. With Ste back in the picture, why was he still worried about me. the substitute? He tried to exin, "Grace, have you read my journal? It''s not true. There''s nothing going on with Ste. I promise you. She''s just like a sister to me. "You must be heartbroken. I can see it in the tears you''ve left on my journal pages. I''ve been remissne it Was never my intention to burt you." I was feeling kind of spaced out. but "Antonio, I get that you think you''re Oto stay with me, but that''s why I''m walking away. It''s to set us both free, to let you be with Ste. "Aren''t you happy with it? "Why the tears?" In Antonio''s diary, Ste was his shining moment, the highlight of his darkest days. She was the most brilliant, the most vivid chapter of his life. He''d wiped that period from his memory that I put in the work to get him back on top. While he was living it up with Ste, soaking in the glory days, I was the one emptying my bank ount to cover his mistakes. I was the one groveling to business associates, doing whatever it took to keep us afloat. I was the one downing drinks till I was senseless, so wasted I nearly lost. our baby. None of that registered with him. All he held onto was the heady, fantastical ride Ste offered him. He had Ste''s name tattooed on his chest, lying to me that it was a reminder of the hard times, a symbol to keep him driven. What he truly yearned to keep alive was his fiery Ste. Now, he had the chance to reim his true love. Why did he miss me now? Antonio said. "Grace, you ditched the wedding to teach me a lesson, didn''t you? You''ve got it bad for me, so much that my recentck of over attention stung, and this was your way of hitting back. "No worries. I''m willing to let it slide. Grace, whatever you do, I''m forgiving it." I stood there, dumbfounded, not knowing how to counter his words. Back in the day, when I was young and naive, I threw tantrums too. I cried, made a scene, and even ran away from home. Through it all, Antonio just stood by, unmoved. He never made moves to soothe me or scold me. He''d just y it cool, sitting tight until I was the one to break the silence and say I was sorry. I figured that was just who he was. I never clued in that he had it all figured out. We grew up together, and he knew me inside and out. He was dead certain that I loved him and I couldn''t live without him. He counted on my love, never sweating about me walking out. He didn''t see me leaving so abruptly, sopletely. This wasn''t part of his n. It shook him up. He was afraid he might never see me again. Once I saw through all this, whatever feelings I had left for Antonio were gone in a sh. "Antonio, I appreciate the tenderness you gave me when I was at my lowest." The Lies He Told Me 127 "I''m ready to let go of all the pain you''ve given me. "Bailing on our wedding wasn''t about getting revenge on you. It was my decision. From now on. I want nothing to do with you. Let''s just split up and never look back." With that. I blocked Antonio''s number. I tried to give my mom a smile, but tears kept streaming down my face, no matter what. I wasn''t sure if I felt relieved or just sad. My mom gently patted my shoulder. "It''s all water under the bridge. I will help you move on, and we''ll face a new life together." My mom had her own way of moving on. She spent a few days getting things in order for me and then took me to the swankiest bar in town. The ce was rocking with loud music, and the air was heavy with the scent of strong alcohol. For a moment, all my troubles and frustrations seemed to vanish into thin air. By the end of the night, my mom, exhausted, had a few bodyguards keep an eye on me while she went home to rest. 0 I danced the night away, lost in the rhythm until I waspletely drained and had to lean on a bodyguard to get out. With my groggy mind. I thought I heard a voice that sounded familiar. He was striding toward me. My blurry vision focused, and I realized it was Antonio. He said. "Grace, let''s go home. "I''ll exin it to my parents, and I''ll make sure my family and friends. understand. No one will me you. "Come on back with me. I''ll let go of you leaving our wedding and your cheating. I''ll take care of it all, and we can start over. "I promise that I''ll be the man you deserve, never let you down, and never cause you pain." He''d left a trail of cigarette butts on the ground where he''d been standing. I hadn''t a clue when he''d arrived, or how long he''d been skulking around. I was just taken aback by his nerve. "Antonio, what makes you think I''d be asking for your forgiveness?" s eves a Antonio puffed on his cigarette, a bit bloodshot. "I saw you getting down with that topless guy, living it up. How''s that not cheating? "Grace, it''s because I love you that I''m offering to forgive you. Without me, you won''t find anyone better!" Tburst intoughter, "Did you forget? We''re history, remember?" For Antonio, it wasn''t cheating when he kissed Ste after we got engaged. It wasn''t cheating when he was daydreaming about Ste while I was dealing with a miscarriage. It wasn''t cheating turning me into Ste''s substitute. But hitting the bar right after our split was what made me the ultimate betrayal. It was just in absurd. I had no interest in engaging with Antonio. I just wanted to get away. But he wasn''t getting the message and kept on my tail. Antonio continued, "Grace, we both Sp, but it wasn''t on . Can''t we just let it goel move on? "We''ve than years and have 10 on each other for more ten. How can you peemet erase all that?" Content Thet He reached for my hand, but my bodyguards weren''t having it. I didn''t look back but just kept my cool and said, "I can let it go." "You can let go of us as soon as you''re with Ste, and I can do the same. "Go back to Ste, or whoever, just leave me alone. "I''m focused on what''s ahead. Unlike you, I''m not stuck in the past." Antonio wasn''t ready to call it quits. He left his business back home, didn''t care what anyone else thought, and just wanted to stick around me. Ste came chasing after him too. She burst in, seething with anger. "Grace, you''re really something. running Paway to get his atte But don''t getcent. I''ll find a way to win him back." I just gazed at Ste, unblinking. She took my dad. my joy, all my friends, and the people I loved. She took everything I had, whether she truly wanted it or not. Back in the day. I hated Ste and her mom to the core. But now, seeing her, all I felt was a pang of pity. Their world was devoid of love. It was just a constant battle. Every woman was a foe and every man was a prize to them. They had lost sight of the fact that there was more to life than the guys they couldn''t let go. "Just do whatever, but take him away from me and give me some damn peace." Ste stopped for a beat. She tossed out the nk pages from the diary. "You might think you''ve won, but he''s mine!" Sheid out every little detail of their time, all the stuff she and Antonio got up to. The dreams I held dear? To her, they were just in old regrs. The Lies He Told Me 128 Antonio, the guy who never hid his feelings, could let loose around her. I didn''t bother to see it. Who said first love was so special? It was just a fancy word for a silly crush. Antonio''s heart has always been set on one person: himself. I turned around, and there was Antonio, right behind me. He was a wreck, nowhere near the put-together guy he used to be. His hair was all over the ce, and his eyes were all red. He was in the clothes I had picked out for him. He rushed to Ste, giving her a p. "Shut up. I won''t let youe between Grace and me. I''ve gotten to the bottom of this. You never loved me, and you deliberately seduced me to hurt Grace. "Back at the hostel, you weren''t working hard to get by. You took off with a broke artist and split when the going got tough. "You''ve been lying to me. You''re the reason I lost Grace. She''s the best in the world, the one who loves me the most." Ste was in shock, covering her face. Antonio turned to face me. "Grace, you knew all about her. Why did you keep it from me? Why did you stand by and watch me being deceived?" I stood there, too stunned to say anything for a beat. "Would you even hear me out? Or would you just call me jealous? We''ve grown up together, and you still don''t get who Ste really is? "You''re lusting after her body but not willing to take responsibility. Antonio, you''re a real piece of work!" My words must have hit home because Antonio kept a distance for a while. Ste didn''t dare to pull her usual stunts around me anymore. I got a job at my mom''spany and slowly but surely, I was getting the swing of things. After work, I would hang out with my colleagues, grab a bite, and just chat it up. Life was peaceful, almost too good to be true. Right when I thought I was back in the groove, something crazy happened. Walking homete from work, I got this creepy feeling I was being tailed. It was one of those sketchy areas where the streetlights were hit or miss. I didn''t want to risk calling the cops and setting the person off, so I yed it cool. As I walked past a dense bush, he jumped me from behind. I was terrified, crying, shaking like a leaf. "Please, don''t hurt me. Take my money. It''s all I have," I begged. He stayed silent, gripping me like he was scared I would bolt. Then, the streetlight flickered on. In that split second of light, I caught a glimpse of a pearl tattoo on his chest. With a tone of disbelief, I stammered, "Antonio?" He went rigid. I pushed him off with all my strength, and once I got a good look at hist face, I let him have it with a p so hard that it stung my hand. "Antonio, what the hell do you think you''re doing? You''re acting worse. than a wild beast!" His cheeks flushed red in a sh. Instead of losing it, he tenderly took my hand and blew on it with a soft breath. "Grace, I''d nevery a finger on you. I couldn''t if I tried. All I want is to bring you back home." I recoiled in disgust from his touch. I had known him for years, and witnessed his stubbornness, the way he''d never retreat until he was cornered. But this level of fixation, this madness? I had never expected it. I was terrified, crying, shaking like a leaf. "Please, don''t hurt me. Take my money. It''s all I have," I begged. He stayed silent, gripping me like he was scared I would bolt. Then, the streetlight flickered on. In that split second of light, I caught a glimpse of a pearl tattoo on his chest. With a tone of disbelief, I stammered, "Antonio?" He went rigid. I pushed him off with all my strength, at bet and once I got a good look so hard that it stung. hand. "Antonio, what the hell do you think you''re doing? You''re acting worse than a wild beast!" His cheeks flushed red in a sh. Instead of losing it, he tenderly took my hand and blew on it with a soft breath "Grace, I''d nevery a finger on you. I couldn''t if I tried. All I want is to bring you back home." I recoiled in disgust from his touch. I had known him for years, and witnessed his stubbornness, the way he''d never retreat until he was cornered. But this level of fixation, this madness? I had never expected it. I was all but slumped against the wall, trembling with fear. Antonio pressed in closer. "Grace, it''s a jungle out there. It''s safer with me, isn''t it? "I swear I''ll shield you and cut Ste out of life. To be honest, I neve had feelings for her. I was just stressed, momentarily sy way." I had no clue whether he truly loved her. What I did know was Antonio had a knack for ying the besotted lover. He fancied himself a devoted lover, but he didn''t care one bit about how the other person felt. I clutched my chest, my heart thumping like a drum. "Antonio, stay the hell away from me. "If you pull this again, I won''t hesitate to pull the trigger." Once I got my nerves under control, I messaged my mom, filled her in on the basics, and asked her to pick me up Until now, my legs were like jelly, unable to carry me an inch. Antonio was like a kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, looking all confused. He was on the verge of speaking severabtimes. but then stopped himself. My mom didn''t waste any time getting there. She showed up with a whole squad of cops in tow. When they hauled Antonio off, he didn''t even try to fight it but just gave me this quict look. " His eyes seemed to hold a myriad of reluctance. My mom was dead set on Antonio getting locked up. In the end, my dad and Antonio''s folks were all up in the mix. They began with pleas, but it didn''t take long for the insults to start. I wasbeled shameless, and used of ditching my wedding without a valid reason. They said I was cold-hearted, trying to throw my ex-lover behind bars. Antonio, who had been silent all along, finally broke his silence to argue against them. The Lies He Told Me 129 Antonio said. "It''s all on me. Grace''s not at fault here. I caused this mess. I was just too grasping, never learning to value what was right in front of mc. "I''m sorry, truly I am. Grace, I don''t have the nerve to ask for your forgiveness, but I hope you can still keep me in your memories." My dad tried to step in, but one icy nce from my mom and he just wilted, his head drooping low. He couldn''t help but sneak peeks at my mom, his eyes always finding their way back to her. I bet he had his own regrets brewing. Sometimes it took losing something to see how valuable it really was. For some folks, it was the unattainable, and the irretrievable that seemed the most desirable. After all the back-and- forth. Antonio coughed up some cash and was shipped back to his homnd. As he was leaving, he threw me a question, "Will we meet again?" "Not a chance," I said without hesitation. All of a sudden, he crumbled, crying his eyes out. There he was, bawling and floundering, with everyone watching. "Why did it all go so wrong? "Grace, you''ve been my rock for so long. I just figured you''d always be there. that no matter what, you''d find it in your heart to forgive me. "I never saw the daying when you''d walk out without a word, and the thought of losing you forever never crossed my mind. "Once you were gone, the world felt off. I never meant to cause you pain. I just got swept up in the moment. "When I knew I came to my senses, Bonally pick Ste, but ¡ý drawn to her free spirit, so I you into her likenes was "I figured if I pulled this off, I could keep both of you in my life, but I missed the fact that... He''d missed the fact that there was only one Grace on the. Whether she was a saint or a sinner, she was unique, one of a kind. She couldn''t tolerate any dishonesty, and she definitely wouldn''t settle for being a substitute. With my mom''s hand in mine, I was ready to head home. Antonio was back there, still trying toy his soul bare. "I came across the list of dreams you jotted down in your diary. "Why is it that after all these years, we haven''t ticked off any of these simplejoys? All we''ve got is that one fuzzy snapshot, and not even a single clear picture of us as a couple. "Two decades of being in each other''s lives, a decade of loving each other, and all it''s brought me is regret. "I was blind. I should have seen iting. My own desires blinded me, "I came here thinking, even if I couldn''t take you home, making up for some regrets would be good. I never thought it would turn this... SWlike "Grace, is there any chance you could forgive me?" Antonio''s voice wasced with sorTOW. Yet, I kept my gaze forward, never turning back. The end. The Lies He Told Me 130 Part 5: I was done with life when I decided to jump off the roof with tears in my eves. And where was my family? My parents were happy at their adoptive daughter''s first day of high school celebration. My brother was there too, clicking away with the camera and weing his new sister to middle school. As kids. they always had a soft spot for Ashley Schmitt. Being an orphan. she''d always get a bit more of their sympathy and support. I was the one who got told to back off if I ever wanted to take back a toy of mine. Any fight was just me being a brat. Ashley, with no parents of her own, was living up the life that should''ve been mine. I had family, but they were always around Ashley. When I finally wised up, I understood that what they called fairness was really just being partial. Never in a million years did I think I''d get a second chance in life from the universe. So when I was reborn, I decided this time to just not give a damn about anything. When I saw my folks holding Ashley''s hand, leading her up to my brother and me, it hit me. I was back in the past, a five- year-old again, but with the memories of the past. I was re- living the same nightmare. Ashley''s parents had died in a bad car crash a few days before she was brought. They were my mom''s best friends, so my mom decided to take Ashley under her wing. "Ashley is your little sister now," my mom had said, smoothing Ashley''s hair. "You gotta look out for her. Ashley''s eyes were wide and eager, checking out our home. She looked pretty anxious to get her hands on everything. Before I couldin, she''d y the poor little orphan card to snag whatever she fancied from me. At first, I was surprised; I did not expect her to be so young and so evil. "Grace, I''m into your clothes, and I''m into your family, too. I''ll grab whatever I like, and you''ll end up with nothing." Ashley would say this to me when it was just the two of us. After that. I understood she did not want me as a big sister, she wanted to take away everything from me. It always made me furious, and I''d just get into fights with her, but as soon as we fought, she''d y the victim, bawling her eyes out to get my parents'' attention. Then she denied everything she''d said, using me of framing her. Every ery time, my parents would make me apologize to her and then I''d be the one getting punished. Mom would sometimes make me skip my meals, and other times, make me kneel for an hour. If Ashley wanted something, she should get it. If she wanted something of mine. I should not be selfish and I should just give it to her. After that, my new clothes, my toys, and everything were handed overto Ashley But that wasn''t enough for her. She also took my friends, my innocence, and everything. Just like Ashley said, she''d take it all from me. With such an unfair past, why did the universe want me to relive it? I couldn''t help but feel down, sad, and desperate. "Grace, from now on, Ashley is your sister. Don''t worry. We are fair, and we''ll love you both the same." That was what mom used to say at the beginning. "We are just a bigger, happy family now." That was what dad said that day Even if Ashley took my stuff without asking, wasn''t allowed to fight back or show any resentment, or else I''d be the selfish one. I was onlyca older than Ashley. And I tried to be nice to her, that first day, I was really trying my best to be supportive and a good big sister. I offered her some of my toys, I even offered her to sleep with me in case she was afraid. She would just smile at me but wouldn''t say anything. Then my parents would ask her how she was feeling and she would cry, surprising my parents, my brother, and me as well. "What''s wrong Ashley? What happened?" My mom asked her. Ashley, all scared- like, would always cling to my mom and y the victim. "Margaret, does Grace hate me or something? Maybe I should go g? Maybe I should home." My mother, who once was so nice and attentive towards me, would now look at me with disapproval and disappointment. I couldn''t understand why they couldn''t see how she was manipting them. My dad looked at me with a mix of~ emotions. "Grace, we''ve taken in Ashley and she''s staying with us now want you, as her elder sister, to be mature and take care of her." My brother chimed in, "Ashley, don''t be afraid. With me around, no one in this house will dare to bully you." My folks looked at him with approval. Overnight, Ashley had taken my ce as the favored daughter in the Parrish family. The Lies He Told Me 131 "I''m off to my room," I said, and then I did, locking the door behind me for some peace My personality has changed, I wasn''t always this shy. I fought back once. There was this one time when I pulled Ashley aside, and even though I barely tugged, she hit the desk and started crying Just for that, my mom pped me and made me apologize. She didn''t even give me a chance to exin what happened. That time, I tried to stand my ground with a hunger strike, and even left home, hoping they''d miss me. I waited for them at our usual park all day, but they never came. When I finally returned, hungry and shivering, they were all snug in the living room, chuckling at the TV. The coffee table was a feast of snacks. It was enough to make anyone snap. I lost it, crushed the snacks under my feet, and got a beating for my outburst. After that, they punished me by taking away my lunch money, and forbid me to go out and y with my friends. Who got out to y with them? Ashley did, and they all loved her. They said they weren''t ying favorites, but all they cared about was that Ashley lost her parents. Did they ever think about how her arrival affected the? It was really sad. In my previous life, I tried to fight and please them, but even when I jumped off the rooftop, they didn''t care. My folks had all their love reserved for their adopted girl, Ashley. She was a golden child. They wouldn''t miss me even if I wasn''t around. So starting that day. I became the invisible one at home, only existing to go to school and do my homework. At dinner, all the attention was on Ashley. The dinner table, once filled with my favorite dishes, now only had what she liked. It was the same old story. Ashley got all the new toys and the best snacks, and I was left with whatever she didn''t want.. In their eyes, Ashley seemed like someone who was always willing to help, sweet and caring. They''d paid a fortune on a fancy notebook for Ashley, but when I asked for a doll, they''d tell me to take one that Ashley didn''t want from her collection. Then I ended up with a doll Ashley didn''t want, but my folks never batted an eye. They always favored Ashley If I didn''t treat Ashley like a princess, I would be the ck sheep In my previous life, it ruined my childhood, but I wasn''t going to let it affect me anymore. Once Christmas was over, I would throw myself into studying, aiming for a top university. People might pick their favorites, but the future I was working hard for That was all mine On Christmas Eve. Mom and Dad surprised us with two dresses. As I was heading downstairs. Ashley waved the dresses at me. "Grace. which one do you prefer?" This was another act from her, because in my previous life and in this one, we never got along, so I just shrugged. In the past, to punish me, my parents only bought new clothes for Ashley, leaving me with the most used and worn down clothes, bing a joke throughout the school year. But this time, I_O nonchntly chose one of the dresses. Ashley shed a sad look and said, "If you like it, I''ll dly give it to you" I couldn''t stifle my annoyance at her act. However, my parents knew Ashley had her eye on the dress I''d chosen. My mom then took the dress away from me and held it up to Ashley "Grace you''re the elder sister. the dress on her, shall we? should let Ashley have met see The more my mom looked at it, the happier she got. My dad and brother joined in, all pushing Ashley to change into the dress. Ashley nestled against my mom, her voice barely a whisper. "Mom, Grace isn''t too fond of me. Maybe I should return the dress to her." My brother''s protective instincts kicked in, questioning Ashley if I had bullied her Ashley shook her head timidly, her eyes wide with fear, making me look bad. Seeing that. Mom turned on me, "Grace. didn''t I tell you to be nice to Ashley? "You''re being so thoughtless. Look at how you''ve scared her. The new dresses are no longer an option for you. They''re both Ashley''s now." No matter how many times I relived my life, that dress was always just beyond my grasp. I thought, after everything I had been through, I would be immune to this kind of injustice by now. Yet, the sting of my mom''s distrust cut deep. "Suit yourselves,¡± I muttered, retreating upstairs to shield my tears from their view. I was their flesh and blood, but why did it always end up being my fault when Ashley cried? My dad''s voice boomed from downstairs. "Grace, march down here and apologize to your mom! Who gave you the right to talk like that?" My brother climbed onto the balcony, grabbing my wrist trying to pull me out. "You''re acting so selfish. Can''t you embrace Ashley like we did? She''s lost her family, and we''re all she has." His grip on my wrist hurt so deep, probably because he''d forgotten hist own promise to protect me. To end the argument, my dad sent him to take Ashley to watch the fireworks. With a final re, my brother stormed off, the door crashing shut behind him. Their joyous fireworks disy unfolded outside, a picture of familial bliss. Upstairs. I was the silent observer. Was this the family who had vowed to be fair and just? The Lies He Told Me 132 They were always telling me that, if I yed nice with Ashley, things would go easier for me. But here was the thing. Ashley''s parents were gone, and mine were still around, but they chose to ignore me over her. So, what made my life any different from an orphan? It was Christmas. I was in the kitchen filling up a pot with water when Ashley strutted in, all dressed up in her newest dress. "Grace, do you think this dress looks good on me?" I ignored her and tried to move past her. But she wasn''t having it. Shetched onto my arm from behind. ¡°I''m waiting for an answer." I frowned, trying to pull away. She grabbed my other hand, sshed herself with the hot water, and then let out a scream. "Please no Grace!" "What are you doing?!" I asked her. "Who do you think Mom''s going to believe, you or me?" Ashley smirked, and right on cue, my mom walked in and saw the whole thing, just the way Ashley had set it up. "Grace, if you''ve got an issue, youe to me," my mom said, her voice heavy with disappointment. "Why would you do this to Ashley?" Ashley was all teary-eyed, ying the victim. "Mom, please don''t be mad at Grace. It''s my fault." My brother yanked my arm. "Are you jealous of Ashley? You know we have familying over, and you messed up her dress on purpose?" My dad''s face was a storm cloud. "Grace, you''re grounded. You stay here. and think about what you''ve done. Ashley, go change, and we''ll all head out for dinner." Ashley looked like she was about to cry, and my mom was right there, soothing her with gentle words and a soft touch. I used to feel that warmth, but it was a distant memory from another life. If they had just looked a little closer, only looked at me for a moment, they might have seen the burn in my hand. But no, they didn''t. They all left, a happy little family of four, without even looking back. As she was leaving, Ashley shot me a triumphant nce, as if to say, ''Grace, I''ve won again." It didn''t take much longer than two weeks for my mom''s Instagram to be a chronicle of Ashley''s adventures with our family, showcasing their delicious meals and memorable trips. My brother even brought a cake once, but it was only for her, and they didn''t even share a slice of it with me. It felt like I was the one who''d been forgotten. Before I died in my previous life, I posted some a on Instagram too. "If you don''t love me, why did you even have me?" But all I got was being called a "Drama Queen¡°. Those two words were what pushed me to jump off the rooftop without a second thought. I spent my whole high school years back then living in that unfairness. In this life, I avoided all of them, and the absence of constant conflict with Ashley allowed a significant shift in my overall well-being. 11 The release of tension and frustration brought by the absence of conflict with Ashley had a profound impact on me. As a result, I woke up feeling more refreshed and energized each morning. was able to focus more on my studies and witness great improvements, while Ashley vel.no remained stuck in a cycle of average grades. No matter how much effort she put into it, she couldn''t reach my pace. When the second semester of our senior year started, the school announced a parent- teacher conference. This was normal, every semester, and my parents would nevere to mine, but I wanted to be optimistic, so I told my mom about it. I thought she would go, but she said, "Grace, you know Ashley has been struggling with her grades since her real parents passed away. We''ve already promised to go to her conference. You understand, right?" Did I understand? No, I didn''t. I never understood why they had a preference for her over me. In my previous life, I had let all of it affect me, and my grades were bad, and because I wasn''t doing well, my dad said it would be embarrassing for him to be there. Now that Ashley was the one with the poor grades, they couldn''t miss it for the world. I thought I was past feeling hurt, but I found myself saying, "Mom, could youe for me? Ashley has Dad with her." But my mom just frowned, "Grace, I thought you''d be more considerate. It''s an important day for Ashley, and we need to be there for her." Of course, it was an important day for her, not me. They were sure to be there for their adopted daughter, and it was fine for their own daughter to go to the parent- teacher conference alone. I must have been crazy to think that maybe, just maybe, if I did well, my mom would care about me a little more. It turned out that some things would never change The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 133 The parent¨Cteacher day came around. Seeing my ssmates with their parents, I felt a growing resentment toward Ashley. I often found myself wondering, who was the real child here, her or me? No answers came my way. I got the seat closest to the teacher''s podium. Parents streamed in, and it seemed like everyone was staring at me. The whispers started, "Her parents are around, but why show up for one kid''s conference and skip the other''s?" "What kind of parents y favorites like that?" The headteacher walked inst, and the empty seat next to me didn''t. escape her notice. In my previous life, I sat there in the corner. Feeling all those eyes on me, I couldn''t take it and rushed out in a huff. But this time, I didn''t dodge the nces. "Sorry, my folks can''t make it," I told the teacher, who understood my situation and gave me a sympathetic nod. After the conference, I packed it up and headed home, the same as always. But at the school gate, I saw them. It was like my feet were glued to the spol. 12341 There was my mom, wiping Ashley''s forehead, my dad carrying her bag, and my brother, who''d rushed over from college, offering her choctes. Choctes? I could barely remember what they tasted like. I wished, just for a second, that they''d turn around and see me, their other daughter. I was always there behind them. But they never looked back.. They got into their shiny new car. I instinctively checked my phone, only to find nothing. No calls, no texts. I felt a pang of loss. I waited until seven o''clock in the evening, but they didn''t show up. I was starving, so I hit my usual burger joint. That was when my called. dad When the call connected, he snapped, "Where the hell have you been? It''s not the end of the world because of a stupid conference!" Mom took the phone, sounding lost. "Grace, did I say something wrong? Don''t be upset with me. Where are you?" Ashley''s voice came through all watery. "I''m sorry, Grace. I didn''t mean to take your parents from you. I''m almost eighteen. I can leave and give you your space." My brother chimed in, "We''re not going to miss you if you don''te back. Ashley, you''re staying put, got it?" The call was so loud. 11 I barely touched my burger when I hung up, telling them I''d be right back. When I got home, they were all in the living room, gunning for me with questions. There was a sliver of cake left. My brother, right in front of me, gave it to Ashley. My mom started. "We thought you''d bete, so..." "No big deal. I''m not into sweets anymore," I said, looking away. My dad banged the table. "Grace, what''s wrong with you? Do you know howte it is? Why did youe home sote?" I kept my voice as even as I could. "Who gave me a key?" The moment I said that, my folks locked eyes, and my mom''s face turned panic- stricken. I had a house key once, but when Ashley came into the picture two years back, they told me to give it to her. My mom said she''d sort me out with a new one, but it slipped through the cracks. My brother sneered, "Grace, I know what''s in your sleeve. You''re just trying to y the victim, aren''t you? If you don''t speak up, it''s on you!" I wasn''t ming anyone, and to be honest, it wasn''t my spot to do so We had our share of tiffs, but all got was beingbeled a "wild child", never measuring up to Ashley. Now I didn''t even fight for anything, but why did I still end up being the one at fault? The Lies He Told Me 134 "Sorry, Grace, but Dad and Mom just worry about me. Even though Kevin came to visit me but not you, it doesn''t mean that he doesn''t care about you. We all do, really. Maybe next time, I can get them to your parent¨C teacher conference?" Ashley''s apology came off more like a brag. In my previous life, her attitude would''ve ticked me off. But now? I was as cool as a cucumber. "No need. This is myst one." My brother butted in, "Who do you think you are, giving us that attitude? Have you ever wondered why our folks would rather go to Ashley''s conference than yours? It''s because you''re always so mean to her!" My mom''s face went white as a sheet. Ashley started bawling, "I didn''t mean to upset you, Grace. I''ll leave, and you won''t have to see me again. You can have Mom and Dad all to yourself. I won''t be in the way." She rushed over and grabbed my arm, begging me not to be mad. I tried to pull away, but she held on tight. Then, out of the blue, she used my hand to push herself away. Ashley''s face went ghostly pale as she hit the couch, called out for Mom twice, and then passed out. My dad scooped her up onto the couch and told my mom to call an ambnce. My mom was dialing, tears streaming down her face. She muttered, "We were all so happy at dinner. Why did everything fall apart as soon as we got home?" My brother was furious, ready to throw a stool at me. But I wasn''t scared. I was ice cold as I said, "Didn''t Ashley say she wanted my room for a study? You''ve already got the ns ready and just haven''t talked to me yet. Well, I''ll make the call. I''ll stay on campus f My brother''s hand froze mid-air. My mom was crying her eyes out, begging my dad to say something. anything. But my dad just raised his hand, pointed to the door, and said, "Go. If you walk out that door, don''t evere back.¡± My dad was trying to make me back down, but this time, I wasn''t budging. My mom tried to talk me out of it. But then the ambnce arrived, and they all rushed off to the hospital. I packed up my stuff, the essentials, and my books. I tossed them in a suitcase and rolled it out of there. I was leaving the only home I''d ever known. Senior year was a grind. I told the headteacher I needed to board because of my studies. Without Ashley around. I was actually happy, finally able to focus on my studies. In the middle of the term, they decided to put all the top students in one ss. A weekter, my mom showed up at school. Cha This was the first time in my two lives she''de to school for me. She saw me, and her eyes lit up with joy. "Grace, you must be working so hard. You''ve lost weight." Her eyes welled up with tears. I looked at her, cold as ice. "What brings you here?" She fidgeted, trying to smile, "It''s not ss time yet. Can you have lunch. with me?" I didn''t want to, but I went with her to the cafeteria anyway. I wondered why she was here. Was it because I was doing better now, so they didn''t hate me as much? That was what I was thinking as I walked into the cafeteria. As soon as we got there, my mom waved excitedly. "Ashley!" Hearing her name was like a bucket of ice water on my head. I felt numb all over. "Mom, Grace," Ashley vels greeted, holding a bottle of sugar coke and a te of onion rings. They hugged, happy as a picture perfect family, then sat down right. across from me. Ashley was all over my mom, snuggling up and acting all cute. fo My mom put the food in front of me. "Grace, eat up. Ashley bought this for you. She stood in line early just to get it for you." I wasn''t in the mood for their little show. "Just tell me why you''re here. I know it''s not to share a meal." Ashley looked all sad and pulled away. "Mom, I have to get to ss. I''ll leave, Grace. Don''t be mad, I''ll go." Before my mom could say anything. Ashley was gone. "You always ruin everything," Mom scolded. But I wasn''t buying it. They were the ones having a good time, not me. I wasn''t happy about this at all. The bell rang for ss, and I got up to leave. I''m going to ss." Mom ra tried to stop me and said after pause, "Why don''t youe back home?" Her words hit me like a jolt. I was at a loss for what to say. Then she added, "Ashley wants to get into the advanced ss. Help her out, would you? It''s good to look out for each other." Ashley, Ashley, it was always about Ashley She came to me with a clear goal: to get Ashley into the advanced ss. The Lies He Told Me 135 "Mom, didn''t you remember I''m allergic to sugar coke?" I asked, looking straight at my mom. She hesitated. "I''m sorry. I... Grace, but Ashley is your sister." I was confused. "What about my room?" My mom pursed her lips, trying to make up an excuse. "The study is ready. I will clean up the storage room and you can stay there for the time being." My heart sank. "Why did you have to take my room then?" I muttered, trying to shrug off the frustration. "Never mind. I barely made it into the advanced ss as it is. I''m no teacher. Sorry, but the ss is calling With that, I shook off her hand and bolted out of the school cafeteria. In my previous life, I tried to impress them with my grades. When I brought home a perfect score, my mom just said, ¡°I know your grades. Are you proud of a one- time thing?" Ashley scored an 85 and it was like she won the lottery. They even took her to Happy Valley for a st. My mom told me, "Grace, you''re afraid of heights. You shouldn''t go with us. Maybe next time we can go to the zoo." Later, I, who was scared of heights, climbed to the 49th floor and ended it all. After that, my mom never came to school for me again. Ashley''s crush. Liam Farley, also ended up in the advanced ss and became my deskmate. One day in the cafeteria, when Liam and I were eating. Ashley saw us. I could see jealousy in her eyes. I didn''t feel happy about it. I just felt annoyed and left without finishing my meal. Time flew, and before I knew it, the SAT was over.. Instead of going home, I worked with Liam at his brother''s gaming studio during the summer. The day the SAT results came out, the whole studio erupted in cheers for me. In my previous life, I cked off big time on my homework. In this life, I studied hard and got into Nydoalind University and Liam got into Northwave University. My parents rang me up, eager to have me back home. Rtives went wild with congrats over my good news. Mom and Dad were insistent, saying I had toe home for the celebration. After a pause that felt like forever, I finally agreed. I checked the date on my phone after I hung up. A chill ran down my neck, giving me the shivers. I held onto my phone for dear life, my jaw clenched. Something happened on the same day in my previous life. On the phone, Ashley cried, promising to give my parents back if I saved her. I was desperate for my folks'' love, and her promise was tempting. I agreed, but what awaited me were some thugs from school. They bound my hands, ripped my clothes off, and recorded it all. The ordealsted an eternity, or so it felt. I was feft feeling like I''d been run over by a fleet of trucks,pletely wrecked. They told me their real target was Ashley, and I was just a decoy. At the hospital. I told my parents what happened. My dad pped me, saying went there on my own, that I was asking for it, hanging with the wrong people, and trying to take Ashley down with me. They never came to the hospital again, acting like I didn''t exist. When Ashley started university, I saw a photo of her happy family on Instagram and jumped off the rooftop, filled with resentment. I wanted to see my parents'' regret, but I was let down again. They didn''t even collect my ashes. At that moment, Ashley called. Without hesitation, I hung up and turned off my phone. I wondered what would happen to Ashley without me saving her. At night, my mom couldn''t reach Ashley, and my brother was going to look for her. At dinner, my uncle said, "She didn''t do well on her exams, so she''s too embarrassed to dine with us, right? But Grace is really something. She''s the first in our family to get into Nydoalind University." My dad brought out his home- brewed wine and looked around. Not spotting Ashley, he asked, "Is Ashley still not back?" My uncle continued, "You guys don''t appreciate your own daughter. You''ve barely talked to Grace since she''s been home, always thinking about the adopted one." My mom avoided my gaze. My dad was in a sour mood, especially with the jab at his adopted daughter. My brother put on his jacket. "I''ll go to find Ashley." But before he left, my dad got a call from the hospital about Ashley''s ident. The pain I suffered in myst life had finallye to her. She was in the hospital with a swollen and bruised face. The doctor said she was badly injured. She might never have kids. My mother was a wreck, leaning on my brother, and my dad looked like he had aged years overnight. In my previous life, when they looked at me, I could see how much they loathed me. I was dirt to them, and they thought I''d tarnished the Parrish family. In this life, the tables turned. They''d give anything to be the ones in Ashley''s ce. My mom got Ashley in a tight hug, feeling the guilt eat away at her. Ashley cried in her arms, "I called Grace for help, but she didn''t answer. Did I do something wrong? Does she want me to die?" The Lies He Told Me 136 My dad red at me and tried to p me, but I dodged. He pointed at me, snapping, "I know you never liked Ashley, but how could you just stand by and do nothing..." My mom also med me, "Grace, why didn''t you answer Ashley''s call? If you had, none of this would have happened." My brother''s eyes were bloodshot. "Grace, are you too smug about getting into Nydoalind University? Can you really just go study after this? Maybe you should stay and redo senior year with her!" Mom and Dad looked at my brother, relieved. I was the one who was supposed to be the pride of the family, the one who got into Nydoalind University, but to them, I was nothingpared to Ashley, who only scored 400 points. I couldn''t stand their fake s "I wanted to give it to you at dinner, but I guess you won''t miss me after this. Let''s sign the agreement, and we''ll be done with each other." Ashley had once said that in my previous life, "If you die, all of your folks'' money will be mine, and your brother won''t fight me for it." Her eyes sparkled when I took out the agreement. My parents were surprised by my determination and wavered. But it wasn''t about me. They were just reluctant to give up on the daughter who''d made it into Nydoalind University. My brother sneered, "You think this will make Mom and Dad stop ming you? Grace, why have you be so heartless?" My mom''s eyes were filled with tears. "We raised you all these years, and this is how you repay us? With a piece of paper? Are you really trying to sever ties? Don''t you see us as your family anymore?" Ashley suddenly lost it, shoving my mom aside. "You''re all horrible! I''m done with you. I''m going to find my real parents. Mom and Dad, I''ve been treated so badly." My mom held Ashley close, crying her heart out after hearing this. My brother''s grip on my hand was tight, his voice full of rage. "Is this what you wanted? Look at what you''ve done to Ashley!" My dad''s eyes were ice cold as he stared at us. Then he grabbed the agreement and signed it with a flourish. "You''re out of here. Ashley''s all we''ve got now!" My mom was shell-shocked, but with Ashley wailing in her arms, she clung to Ashley, trying to soothe away the pain. I scooped up the paper and walked out, not once looking back. I never expected my folks to go for it, but Ashley''s nudge was the game-changer. I managed sses and part-time jobs throughout my four years in college. After I graduated from Nydoalind University, Liam started his own gamepany and offered me a job as a plot nner, but I said no. Instead, I scored a great reporter job at Capital Central Station, traveling nationwide to cover stories. In Mideway City, I ran into an old high school friend who told me my parents had been looking for me, and my brother had passed away, Ashley, their adopted girl, hooked up with a real bad guy during her extra year in high school. After they split, he showed up to make trouble. My brother stepped in to shield Ashley and got hurt, but she locked the door, ignoring his cries for help. He bled to death because of her. It wasn''t until after my brother''s funeral that my parents got the full picture of Ashley''s thug ex. He''d crossed the wrong people, and she''d been used as payback. Ashley tried to drag me into her mess, calling for me to be her fall guy, but I didn''t bite. Losing my brother sent my mom over the edge. Eventually, Ashley got kicked out and her ex dragged her into some shady dealings. My dad was juggling work and looking after my mom. He had a lot on his te, and that was when he thought of me, the one he''d left behind. But I had no intention of meeting them. Both my past self and my brother in this life suffered because of them. I used to feel small because I never got the love I needed from mom and dad. It drove me to the edge. I''d been through death once, and I was square with them. From now on, it was just me, Grace, going solo. I wasn''t anybody''s kid. anymore. The Lies He Told Me 137 I got an abortion the day I found my husband cheating on me. I went to the hospital by taxi alone. When the nurse asked about my husband, I had to answer that he''s at work. The surgery went smoothly. I didn''t feel any physical pain except for an empty deep down as if a part of me were gone. Before I got married, I never thought Antonio would abandon our family for the sake of another woman. On my way back, I saw Antonio''s car heading to the hospital. I wanted to ask Antonio what had happened. Yet I turned on my phone, only to see a post of Antonio''s friend on Facebook. Antonio''s friend: "Life is so much easier without Fatty''s calls. Look how much Antonio cares about Vivian!" The photo showed Antonio looking at his first love Vivian, his eyes full of gentleness. They all belonged to a group of five, including four guys and a girl. The five of them grew up together. Antonio and Vivian were a couple. If Vivian hadn''t been trapped to marry that foreign guy, I wouldn''t have had the chance to marry Antonio. Later, Vivian got a divorce and went back home with her son. I then became the viin who stood between the perfect couple. They never med Vivian for abandoning Antonio. They loved hanging out in a nightclub, so Antonio often arrived home. after midnight. I was always worried that Antonio might suffer from stomachache, so I always called to urge him toe home early. That made the group of them hate me even more. They believed that I was trying to control Antonio all the time and they even named me "Fatty". When they came to visit our ce, they would treat me like a servant. Today, once again, Antonio chose them over me. That actually made it all easier. I wouldn''t give in anymore. I gave a like to his Facebook post. He deleted the post at once. It seemed that he had forgotten to block me when he posted it. At 3 a.m.. Antonio finally came back home, with a strong smell of d alcohol. He spent some time in the throom before he finally pushed the bedroom door open. Seeing that I hadn''t fallen asleep. Antonio panicked a bit. Yet in the et end, he tucked me in gently and asked, "Have you made some tea for me today?" shook my head. The cloying mix of alcohol and perfume made me feel sick. He sighed, trying to say something. Yet in the end, he only said, "You''re pregnant now. Have some good. rest." The next morning. I went to office quite early. No matter how much I suffered in my marriage, I wouldn''t let my job get affected. Since I was busy taking care of Antonio, always clocked inte. Thus, my director Joana Brot quite surprised to see me that early in the office. After the morning meeting, Joana stopped me. "Grace, here''s an opportunity to work overseas. I wonder if you''re interested. "I always know howpetent you are. It''s just I''m not sure if you can leave your family for that long." I nodded before Joana could finish. "Ms. Brown, I appreciate it very much. I''ll work hard." Grace?" Ms. Brown didn''t expect me to nod at once. She then hesitated to ask, "I saw you throw away the flowersst night. Did you fight with your husband?" I shook my head with a smile. A fight? Nope. Antonio never fought with me. Every time there was a conflict, he always looked at me as if I were a willful kid. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I saw the caller ID. It was Antonio. The Lies He Told Me 138 Antonio sounded gentle as always, yet I could tell that he was not happy. "Are you upied today? Why didn''t you cook for me?" I remained silent, not revealing the fact that I didn''t have the time because I went to get an abortion. Sensing my silence, Antonio was a bit annoyed. "It was our anniversary yesterday. I bought you a gift." That made me curious. "A ring." Rummaging in his pocket, he mumbled, sounding confused, "That''s weird. I can''t find it anywhere." Suddenly, he seemed to have realized something. "I might have run into a thief. Don''t worry. I''ll buy you another one." I smiled bitterly. I saw a ring on Vivian''s hand in the photo from yesterday. It seemed that he needed his ex-girlfriend to try everything on, including Antonio sounded gentle as always, yet I could tell that he was not happy. "Are you upied today? Why didn''t you cook for me?" I remained silent, not revealing the fact that I didn''t have the time because I went to get an abortion. Sensing my silence, Antonio was a bit annoyed. "It was our anniversary yesterday. I bought you a gift." That made me curious. "A ring." Rummaging in his pocket, he mumbled, sounding confused, "That''s weird. I can''t find it anywhere." Suddenly, he seemed to have realized something. "I might have run into a thief. Don''t worry. I''ll buy you another one." I smiled bitterly. I saw a ring on Vivian''s hand in the photo from yesterday. It seemed that he needed his ex- girlfriend to try everything on, including the anniversary gift for me. "That won''t be necessary. I didn''t prepare any gift for you, either.¡± Antonio hurried to ask, "Grace, are you mad? I did buy you a gift." "I know." I added, "I gotta go if you have nothing else to say. I''m still at work." Since that day, Antonio and I almost didn''t talk to each other. A few dayster, Antonio''s mom Lucy invited me to dinner at home. That was rare. Lucy always looked down upon me. To her, Vivian was her only daughter-inw. Yet I didn''t wanna be rude to her. Thus, I epted her invitation. When I arrived, I saw Antonio''s buddies at home, preparing dinner together. The whole ce fell in silence when they saw me. I heard someone mumble, "What is she doing here? She won''t let Antonio drink with us. I ignored that. Instead, I seated myself directly. Shortlyter, Antonio and Vivian arrived. I noticed that Vivian no longer had the ring on her hand. She went straight to the kitchen as if it was her ce and talked to Lucy. Antonio walked over to me and took out a diamond ring from his pocket. "I bought you a new one." I knew he was lying. Antonio didn''t notice how I felt at that moment. He pulled my hand over and put the ring on my finger. I felt sick as I stared at the ring. Vivian had worn it before. I wondered how many more lies Antonio was gonna tell me before he finally told me some truths. "Vivian! Make yourself at home. Grace will handle everything. Just rx and enjoy your stay." In the kitchen, Lucy was staring at Vivian lovingly while Vivian holding her arm as if she were Lucy''s daughter. "Lucy, I miss you. It''s been a while." "Why didn''t you visit me more often? You don''t care about Antonio and me, do you?" Lucy nced at me as she spoke, and she then led Vivian over. "Come, Grace haven''t introduced you to my goddaughter, right? She''s like a sister to Antonio. You don''t have to worry about the two of them if they hang out, you don''t have to call Antonio. You know that Antonio is a man of solid integrity.¡± Standing in front of me, Lucy talked as if she was giving me an order. "Exactly, Grace. You''re way too strict with Antonio. We''re all men of integrity. We won''t involve Antonio in anything indecent." "Besides, since w we''re a start-up, we have tons of businesses to handle. It''s more than normal. I don''t think arriving homete is a problem, right? Not to mention that Vivian even ended up in the hospitab because of drinking too much at a business dinner. We all make sacrifices!" "If they wanted to be together, they would have married each other a long time ago." Antonio''s friends talked to me with smiles. The one who spoke louder was Victor Lopez. He was Antonio''s closest buddy, and the greatest supporter of Antonio and Vivian. He never liked me. When he heard Lucy scolding me, he was more than happy to take the chance to insult me. I asked with a frown, "What start-up? What are you doing?" I thought Antonio was doing well in his office. Did he establish his own business? Victor hurried to shut up when he realized that he had spilled the secret. The whole dinner was ruined. Everyone remained silent because of what had happened just now. After dinner, it started to rain. Antonio came over to me cautiously. "Grace, I can''t let Vivian go home alone. It''s not safe. Why don''t you stay here a bit longer? I''ll go back to pick you up after I send her home." I nodded. Looking at me, Antonio tried to say something, yet in the end, he did nothing but squeeze my hand. He then left with Vivian. I watched as the two of them left. I then called a taxi for myself, despite the fact that Lucy tried to stop me. I must look terrible when the rain wet my whole body. Antonio rushed back and held me in his arms. "I''m sorry, Grace. You''ve suffered. "After all, Vivian has a kid. Since I invited her over, I would have to take care of her. "Why didn''t you wait for me at Mom''s ce?" I could tell that Antonio wasining. "Are you the only one who can give her a ride?" Suddenly, I asked him, sincerely. "What?" Antonio wasn''t expecting this. "All four of you drove today. Are you the only one who can give her a ride?" Antonio pursed his lips as his confusion eyes turned into irritation. I stopped his words. "You sent her home because you wanted to." Antonio looked frustrated. He sighed, "Grace, are you jealous? I only see her as a little sister. "She has to live on her own now after getting divorced, not to mention. that she has a kid to raise. We grew up together and that''s why I can''t let her suffer.." The Lies He Told Me 139 "You even quit your job because Vivian wanted to start her own business?" I pushed Antonio away, trying to get rid of him who no longer had me on his mind. Antonio wasn''t expecting this. He exined, "You g Antonio pulled his tie and went on staring at me with his loving eyes. "Don''t overthink about it. You need to be more mature, mom-to-be." Mom-to-be? But our baby had gone. I wanted to tell him about the abortion. Suddenly, his phone rang. The moment the call got through, I heard a childish voice. "Dad, where are you? I miss you." Antonio turned to me in a panic. He hurried to muffle the receiver as he rushed to the bedroom. Shortly, Antonio went out of the bedroom after getting changed. 12360 "I''m sorry, Grace. Vivian told me that her kid had fallen ill and wanted to see me. I..." I shook my head, telling him that I didn''t mind it at all. "Don''t worry about me. You may leave as you wish." in his arms, he swore, Antonio kissed me on the cheek. Holding me in his arms, "When we go through thepany''s startup phase, I won''t meet up with her alone. I''ll spend all my free time with you and the baby." I received messages from Victor and other two of his friends right after Antonio left home. "Grace, Vivian is in trouble now. Can you let Antonio go help her?" I didn''t reply to their messages but discuss some details about my job in the overseas office with Joana.. I saw Vivian''s new post on Facebook. Vivian: "The two most important men in my life." The photo showed Antonio and her baby, sleeping peacefully. Antonio''s startup went smoothly. He soon got his first project. He invited me to his celebration party while kept making promises to me. "I will spend more time with you and the baby. Tell me if there''s anything you don''t like about me. I''ll try to change." Yet, just as we arrived at the restaurant, I saw the waitress dumbfounded. to see me. She mumbled, "Howe he changes his plus- one?" She spoke in a low voice, yet I could hear her. I halted when Joana sent me a message asking me toe to thepany to double- check a few details. Antonio''s face darkened. "Can''t you cancel your work today for me?" I shook my head. I had given him many chances before. Every time I needed him, he always said that he was at work and never asked what for. Last time, I brought lunch for Antonio. One of his colleagues wanted to befriend me because she wanted to know where I bought my clothes. When Antonio saw us exchanging contacts, he med me for always keeping an eye on him. He told me that he felt suffocated under my control, and thus forbade me to disturb him at work. Chander 122 Yet now, Antonio asked me to abandon my work for a celebration party which was unconnected to me. Antonio paced back and forth. "Grace. I brought you here because you always think that somethingds going on between Vivian and me. Yet now you take the initiative to leave. This is your own request. Don''t me me afterward. I nodded. What for? I wouldn''t be jealous anymore. Joana and I confirmed all the details about my overseas working n. I would be leaving the next Sunday. Joana then looked at me with sympathy. "You looked thinner these days. What''s going on between your husband and you? Still fighting?" I didn''t answer the question. I wasn''t sure what do. Maybe I was just waiting till thest minute. Suddenly, a friend request popped up. It was the waitress from the restaurant. I epted it and she sent me a video. In the video, Vivian was holding the wine ss with her mouth, trying to make Antonio drink from the ss. His buddies were barracking all the time. The waitress then sent a message along with the video. Waitress: "I always hate women like you, home-wreckers!" I didn''t expect this. I said nothing but sent her a photo of my marriage certificate. She replied "Wow" before cklisted me. I resent our chat history to Antonio and turned off my phone. I needed to handle a lot of paperwork. When I was done with work, I turned on my phone and Lucy''s call came in. She sounded quite mean and rude. "Grace, where the hell have you been? Antonio''s in the police office now! It''s all your fault!" I didn''t understand, so I asked, "What happened?" Lucy''s voice was trembling. "What happened? What did you send to him? He suddenly beat others! Even Vivian couldn''t stop him! "Now the police have him. You have to go over there and check what is going on now! "You''re such a terrible wife! You get jealous for no reason again, right?" Lucy hung up the phone, leaving me no chance to defend myself. The Lies He Told Me 140 When I arrived at the police office, Antonio had settled the incident with the other party. Covering the bloody scratches on his face, he hurried toe to me the moment he saw me at the police office. "Grace, please hear me out! It wasn''t what it looked like! "We were just ying truth or dare. It was a punishment! Everybody was participating in it. That waitress only filmed it because she got us wrong." Vivian seemed to be apologizing, yet I could tell how contented she was from her eyes. "I''m sorry, Grace. We grew up together. I''m used to getting along with them like this. Don''t worry about it. There''s nothing going on between Antonio and me." Before I could say anything, the waitress staggered out of the police office and spat at Vivian. "You bitch!" Vivian''s face turned pale at once while Antonio stared at the waitress, holding his fists tightly. Vivian couldn''t help but cry as if she had been wronged. "Grace, please. believe in us. Antonio and I have nothing to hide from you." I nodded. "Well, sure." "Let''s call it a day, OK?" Antonio could tell that something went wrong with me. He thus stood up to settle the situation. When I pulled open the door on the passenger''s side, a kid was sitting in the seat. He made a funny face when he saw me. "Wicked woman! You bitch!" I heard nothing but vicious intention in his childish voice. "Oh, Chris! How could you say that?" Vivian turned to Antonio, only to find him silent with hands on his face. She then added, "I don''t know where he learned that from. Grace, please don''t take it personally. "It''s just he likes Antonio. He even wanted Antonio to be with himst time he got a fever. "I''m sure Antonio will be a good father!" I didn''t break down as she had expected. Instead, I simply nodded and said, "I think you''re right." Antonio''s face turned even more deadpan. He thought for a while before. he said, "Since then, why don''t you drive? Chris will join us in the back seats." He was trying to irritate me. He wanted to see me jealous. Yet when I saw the three of them standing together, I didn''t feel annoyed at all. Antonio was no longer the man that could affect my mood all the time. Chris didn''t sense anything unusual. He thought that he had helped her mom to win back his dad. He was thus quite proud. The three of them sat in the back seats with Chris sitting in between. They looked like a family of three. Antonio remained silent all the way, frowning. To light up the atmosphere, Vivian ¤« took the initiative to say, "Grace, K heard Om Victor that you tended to get jealous all the time. Yet the way I see it, you''re not what they think you are.¡± I simply nodded as I drove, yet somehow Vivian felt encouraged. "Antonio is a very decent man. He has been taking care of Chris and me. Chris grew up without a dad. Though he never mentions it, I know that healways wants a father, m wondering whether Antonio can join us in the family park next Sunday if you don''t mind. "With Chris around, Antonio and I won''t do anything that crosses the line." I pulled up the car and turned around with a smile. "Sure. You don''t have to ask for my permission. He''s an adult. He makes his own decisions." "Grace!" Antonio frowned even harder. He opened the door for Vivian and Chris. Before he walked the two of them upstairs, he went back to the car, asking me to switch seats with him. He wanted me to see in the front seat, yet I went to the back. "Why don''t you sit beside me? Are you mad?" I shook my head. "Nope. I''m just tired." Without Chris and Vivian, the car fell into silence. I found the quietness suffocating. Finally, Antonio broke the silence. "I promise this is thest time. When it''s done, I''ll talk to Vivian and Chris. Grace, please trust me. Please." Chiater I nodded under his gaze of expectation. He let out a sigh of relief, feeling lucky to get away one more time. Yet he didn''t know that my heart had already died as my love for him perished. I couldn''t care less. Next Sunday, I would fly abroad anyway. Out of guilt, Antonio treated me very well in theing week. He even took the initiative to make me breakfast. Yet he was not a good cook. What he cooked was barely edible. I thanked him and threw away the lunchbox he prepared me every morning after leaving home. He started to text me very often, telling me where, with whom, and what he was doing. That was something he used to do when we had just been together. At the very beginning, I never asked him to tell me his whereabouts. He always took the initiative to do that. Gradually, as I got used to that, he got tired of doing that. The week passed quickly. Antonio dressed up Sunday, pretending not willing to go. Yet I could tell from his tie that he valued the event, too. That was the first present I bought for him, which cost my sry of six months. When he received it, he said he would take care of it and he would only \wear it on our 50th marriage anniversary. Yet now, he put it on to hang out with Vivian and her kid. The Lies He Told Me 141 After he left, I took off the ring and put it on the end table, right on the divorce agreement that I drafted a long time ago. I packed and flew abroad. If Antonio had paid me more attention, he would have noticed that I had been packing recently. He would have noticed that my belly didn''t bulge like those women with four- month pregnancy. Yet he didn''t. He never paid me any attention. He always spared no effort to get rid of me and get close to the woman on his mind. Since then, I didn''t mind give him the freedom he longed for. It was a long journey, which gave me enough time to look back at the way Antonio and I came through. When Inded, dozens of calls and hundreds of texts flooded into my phone. Antonio was driven crazy. He kept asking where I had been and why I wasn''t home. I even received a message from Joana. "Have you checked the hot topics? Are you alright?" "Grace, if you need to handle it, I can report to the headquarters and send you back. You may go back to the branch after you settle your family issues." I checked the hot topic Joana mentioned. It was titled "maybe this is what happiness looks like¡°. The influencer recorded her happy life with her son, her mother-in- Her life looked peaceful and tranquil, though ordinary. The only problem was that the husband in the video was Antonio and the mother- onw was Lucy. The influencer wrote: "Finally, after all that has happened, I have you by my side." It was painful to see the line. It turned out I was nothing but a side character in their love story. Antonio called me once again. I picked up the call and was surprised to hear the sadness in his voice. "Grace, it''s not what you think it is. You have to trust me. "Vivian only wanted to record her life. It was reposted by another ount. "Let''s not get affected by the online world, OK? Grace, I don''t wanna get a divorce with you. Can we talk now? Where are you? I miss you. I wanna see you." I sighed. "Antonio, you can''t," I said. "What do you mean?" Antonio hurried to ask. "Ourpany has an overseas office. I''m now working here. "I''ve left the divorce agreement on the end table. If you don''t have any doubts, just sign it. Let''s do it in a peaceful way, OK?" Suddenly, Antonio became a willfu little boy He ignored what I had said. Instead, he kept mumbling, "Grace, you''re still in love with me, right? You''re just mad, right? "I will keep a distance from Vivian. won''t do anything you don''t like in the future. I''m truly sorry about what I have done. Let''s get back to the good old days, OK?" I shook my head. "No." "Please, Grace, please." Antonio started sobbing. "For the sake of the baby..." I could feel coldness in my face as the breeze blew. That was when I realized that I cried, yet my voice sounded untouched. "We don''t have a baby anymore. Antonio, when you put the ring on "I can''t live without you. Please..." I could hardly tell if he was drunk or not when he sent me those messages, yet I didn''t care. Since he wanted freedom, he would have it. Since everyone believed that Vivian was better for him, I would exit from the scene. My failure in marriage gave me more motivation at work. I worked hard and soon caught the attention of the executives of thepany. I passed the assessment within one month and thus joined the R&D Group Three. At the warm- up party, I got drunk. Alexander Betancourt, one of my teammates, stood out to help me out. He looked quite handsome in a suit. We had the same cultural background and thus, we took care of each other and were always closer than others. I knew that he had feelings for me. Yet I didn''t wanna start a rtionship right after myst marriage. When we were having great fun at the party, I got a call. When I picked it up, I heard nothing but silence. The Lies He Told Me 142 After a while. I heard Antonio''s hoarse voice. "Why did I hear a man''s voice by your side?" I chuckled. "It''s not your business, is it?" "Of course, it is!" I had never heard of such a cranky voice from Antonio. He yelled, "We haven''t divorced yet! I haven''t signed the agreement! I don''t wanna lose you! "Why do you leave me alone? Why aren''t you jealous anymore? Grace, pleasee back. I miss you, very much." "That''s toote," I interrupted him with a gentle voice, "I don''t love you anymore." I heard Antonio sobbing from the other side of the phone. I ignored him and hung up the call immediately. I then contacted thewyer to help me with the agreement. After what I had been through in thest ma Since we couldn''t solve it on our own, I didn''t mind suing him to get the divorce. No matter how hard it would be, I wouldn''t waste my life on Antonio anymore. After the dinner, I was quite sober, yet Alexander seemed to get wasted. The colleagues all suggested that I send him home. Some female colleagues even tried to make fun of us. "Who called you just now? Another pursuer? Did Alex drink the wine for nothing?" Now I understood. The party was meant to make things work between Alexander and me. Yet I shook my head and decided to be honest.. "It was my husband." The sound of breaking ss came through. I turned around, only to see Alexander dumbfounded from afar. The whole room fell into silence because of what I had said. I was born to be a bummer. I helped Alexander get into the car. He looked dizzy, yet his eyes had been fixed on me all the time. I lowered to fasten the seat belt for him, yet he took the chance to hold me in his arms. I struggled to let go of myself, yet it didn''t work. I ended up listening to his heart pounding. He asked, frustrated, "Am I toote?" The night was quiet. I heard nothing but a few insects humming. I asked, "Alexander, would you like to hear about my story?" On the way back. I kept talking while Alexander remained silent all the time. Sometimes, I even suspected that he had fallen asleep. Yet every time I paused. he would open his eyes to stare at me, signaling me to go on telling my story. I couldn''t help but tell him everything I felt. I only realized when I walked him home that I seemed to have talked too much to him, though he turned out to be a good listener. I apologized to him yet Alexander touched my head. "Grace." The moon had coated him with silver light. He then said, "Love is no sin. Trashing love is. I''ll wait for you until the day you regain the courage to ept my love." At midnight, I was woken up by a phone call. When the call went through, I heard Lucy crying. I was quite annoyed since she woke me up at night. Thus, I asked impatiently, "What on earth do you want from me?" It was rare that Lucy treated me quite nicely. She used to patronize and scold me all the time as if I were a bitch who had seduced her son. She even found fault with me from time to time for Vivian''s sake. Yet this time, she sounded quite cautious. "Grace, is this a good time?" I reminded her coldly, "It''s three in the morning here. What do you think?" "I... I''m so sorry, Grace, but it''s urgent. Could you please help us rify it? Just tell the public that Antonio and you have divorced. "Grace, I''m sorry. I know it''s not fair for you, but we have run out of solutions. Please, have some mercy on me. Antonio lost his dad a long time ago. If anything happens to Antonio, I won''t be able to live." Only then did I picture what had happened. I checked the social media with my tablet and found that someone had exposed Antonio''s identity. Now everyone knew that Antonio was a married man who was having an affair with Vivian, the home-wrecker. People were insulting them from tform to tform. Some even made memorial photos for them. Even Chris was said to be their illegitimate son. I noticed that on my contact list, Vivian''s profile photo had be all ck. She deleted all her posts on Facebook. I felt more than annoyed. I didn''t expect to be pestered by them even after I started a life abroad. Ipletely ran out of patience. I tried hard to hold my anger back and said to Lucy, "You don''t have to y your tricks on me. Your son refuses to divorce me! I''m more than happy to divorce him. If you don''t want him to suffer anymore, tell him to sign the agreement, right now!" "Grace, how could you talk to me like that? He''s your husband after all. How could you..." Not after we got a divorce. I turned off my phone and threw it on the bed. I couldn''t help butin about how unfair it was. They caused all the trouble, yet now, Lucy asked me to settle the whole thing for me. That was out of the question. I didn''t wanna be rted to them by any means. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 143 Maybe it was because I finally relieved the burden, I slept extraordinarily well that night. I earned half a day off since it was my first day as an official employee. I only got up at noon. I then went to the office. Yet shortly. I was told that a homeless man at the gate wanted to see me. I was confused. Alexander was worried about my safety, so he followed me to the door. I saw a familiar figure from afar. It was Antonio. He looked much slimmer than before. His cheeks looked skinny, with dark circles under his eyes. Even his hair was messy. It had been a long time since he ever tidied himself up. The moment he saw him, his desperate eyes lit up again. Yet when he saw Alexander, I could see anger burning in his eyes. He rushed over, trying to push Alexander away. "Fuck off! Don''t get close to Grace!" Unlike Antonio, Alexander always had a healthy lifestyle. He went to the gym regrly. Alexander remainedpletely unmoved after being shoved by Antonio. I frowned, not sure where this was going. Antonio turned around at me, his eyes full of bloody threads. He walked towards me and begged me with his head lowered, "Grace, pleasee back with me. Let''s not get a divorce, OK?" I shook my head. "Antonio, we''re done. Whatever you''re doing right now doesn''t mean anything to me. You''re hurting me as well as Vivian." "No, we''re not yet done!" Antonio panicked. He tried to hold my hand, yet Alexander stopped him. Alexander pushed him gently, yet Antonio fell to the ground. The ring that I left on the end table dropped from his pocket, circling around on the floor before it finally stopped. Antonio''s eyes looked even redder. He held that ring with two hands and went on begging me. "Grace. please give me a second chance, please." I shook my head again. "Even if you don''t sign the agreement, I can still sue you to get a divorce. "You''re just stalling and it''s not helping at all. For the sake of Vivian and Chris, just sign it." I turned around. Antonio wanted to follow me, yet the security guards stopped him. He called my name over and over again, desperately and hopelessly. Yet I would never turn around for him. Later. I heard that Vivian ran away with all their money. Antonio couldn''t stand the strike. He spent all his days drinking, not going anywhere. His life waspletely ruined. His buddies called me several times, telling me about Antonio''s rotten life. I didn''t feel anything as I listened to it. A few monthster, I received the divorce agreement with Antonio''s signature. Looking at the agreement, I felt that I was finally set fro The past was in the past. A new chapter of my life would unfold. The Lies He Told Me 144 Grace''s POV My fiance, who I will marry in a few weeks, is with another woman. While I''m right here, trying to weave through my asthma attack, he''s right there dancing with her. His eyes are glued to her, failing to spare me a single nce, even though my chest is heaving up and down and I can barely breathe. I''ve been in love with Antonio for eight years now. And for a while it felt like he was in love with me. But everything changed when that woman showed up. Now, it seems like I barely exist to him. Only when their dance is finished does he go back to me. But even then, he just leaves to go home with me. I get in the car, and once I open the glove box, I find a diamond ring. "What is this?" I ask. He immediately snatches it away from my grasp. "It''s not for you." I nod, keeping all my emotions at bay until he reaches the corner of the road. "Pull up over here, please." "What for?" he asks, but I don''t answer him. I just head to the shop in the distance. A few months ago, I decided to have a wedding dress custom- made for me. But now, I don''t think I have any use for it. I just need to have the whole thing canceled and destroyed. But just as I walk into the shop, Antonio follows me. He shoves my coat on my face, shouting, "Why do you always leave your stuff, Grace? I''m tired of picking up after you." Antonio is a neat freak. He doesn''t like when I leave some of my stuff in his car. But I look at the coat he tries to give me, and I notice something. "That''s not my coat." His irritation vanishes at once. He picks it up, his expression now considerably softer than when we started talking. I know that it''s because the coat belongs to Cecilia Smith. Every time she leaves something in his car, it only leads to a big fight between me and Antonio. This time, however, it doesn''t lead to anything at all. I don''t feel the need toin anymore. I just approach the desk and smile at thedy. "HI, I''m the one who came. in for a custom design." "Perfect!" thedy says. "Your wedding dress and the suit are both done. You can try them on now. I can reserve a showroom for both of you." I open my mouth to say no, but Antonio is already heading inside with a grumpy expression. I have no choice but to try on my dress. After changing into it, I head out to look at myself in the mirror. Antonio is there, watching me. He frowns. "You don''t look good in white." Ignoring him, I turn to thedy and hand her my phone. "Can you take a picture of us?" He grumbles, walking towards me as thedy gets ready to snap a picture. But just as thedy is about to click, his phone rings with that special ringtone. The ringtone for Cecilia. He answers without walking away, his mood already visibly improved. "Hello. Is everything okay?" "I need my coat," she says sweetly. "Oh, if you can just give it back to me, I would owe you." "I''ll be on my way" he says. "I can just kiss you right now!" she says before they hang up. Without looking at me, he leaves, still in his suit. I hear his car roaring away. My heart breaks. I take a deep breath and reach for the scissors in the corner, tearing a huge chunk off my wedding dress. It''ste now. One in the morning to be exact. I''ve already gone home alone, and that''s the only time Antonio decides to send me a text. "Still at the bar," it reads. Eight years together, and this is the first time Antonio took the time to tell me where he is. Since I''m cleaning the house, I don''t send him a reply. I just take a hot shower and go to bed, immediately falling asleep. The next morning, as I was on my way out to dumb my trash, I run into Antonio. He''s marching towards my apartment with an angry expression. "Is your phone broken or something?" I shake my head. He lets out a breath. I know why he''s upset. It''s because I used to call him nonstop when he goes outte, andst night, I just slept. He barges into my apartment, looking around like he''s expecting to see something. Then, he notices my wall. "Hold on. We used to have a picture here. Where did you put it?" Antonio''s nce falls on the trash bag on the floor. I open my mouth to tell him that I''ve thrown it away, his phone rings. He smiles and starts a voice message. "Hold on, Cici. I''m going to see you right away. I still have your coat." Strangely enough, he doesn''t leave immediately. He just watches me as I bring the trash out ande back. I''m tired, since I haven''t eaten dinner or breakfast, so I grab the toast after I wash my hands. As I eat it, I notice that he''s watching me in disgust. "Are you really that hungry?" he asks. "Why do you need to shove it all in there?" He grabs the rest of the toast and shakes it into the bin. I watch him, mouth agape. The audacity is killing me. "I cooked for you for eight years," I say, "but I can''t even have my full breakfast in peace without you making a big deal about it?" Antonio fixes me a cold nce. "I own this house. I make the rules. You didn''t even ask me before you ate it. You simply have no manners. Shaking his head, he puts on his jacket and storms lout, leaving me to face another round of coldness. But what else is new? I sit down, opening my socials and seeing that Antonio added a picture to his wall. It''s a photo of Cecilia wearing cat-cars. I ce a like on it, just so he knows I saw it. Then I get ready for work. During my lunch, I decide to meet with a property manager to assess the apartment. But as soon as I walk in, the first thing I see is Antonio and Cecilia sitting and smiling at each other. I sigh. I totally forgot about the fact that we all work in the samepany. Cecilia has her back turned to him, her hair down while he''s trying to gather it all up into a ponytail. When she sees me, she immediately pouts, turning to me and saying, "Grace, look at Antonio! He''s been messing with my hair all day. I mean, how much longer can he do this?" Before I can say anything, Antonio wraps his arm around her neck like he''s ying wrestling with her. "Liars are not wee here!" Cecilia blushes. Antonio finally turns around to face me and says, "Good thing we all met up here, even if it''s a coincidence. Why don''t we all have lunch together?" This is the first time he invited me for lunch, even though I know for a fact that he and Cecilia go to lunch everyday together. But I just smile. "I can''t join you today. I''m in the middle of something. I hope you enjoy, though." Antonio''s smile slides right off his face. He looks at me, and I know he doesn''t expect that. But I just shrug and leave, only for them to join me in the elevator. The thing moves, but then it sputters and turns dark. I let out a gasp and Cecilia screams. The elevator just malfunctioned. I hurriedly open my shlight, see arms Ohio holding Cecilia in his arms. She''s shaking like a damsel in distress, and even when the poweres back on, she still softens. And with that, she faints. The Lies He Told Me 145 Grace''s POV Time seems to slow down. Antonio pushes me out of the way as Cecilia copses on the floor. He flips her on her back, lifting her into his arms and rushing her to the hospital as soon as the elevator doors open. I pick up my phone, still in shock. The screen is shattered because of his push, but I just go out of the building and all for a taxi to meet up with the property manager. Time passes, and now I''m back to the office. I sit down, and immediately I see a package on the table. It''s a cheesecake in a jar, and it''s from Antonio. I frown at it, knowing that I''ve seen this exact thing somew Half an hour ago, I saw this same cheesecake in a jar on Cecilia''s instagram, even though she must have been taken to the hospital because of her recent fall. Still, I check my instagram again to see if I saw everything right, and I did. "Sweets from my sweet baby," the caption says, showing a bunch of little sweets in jars that are very simr to the one I have on my table right. now. Antonio swings by to my office casually, looking at the dessert on my 222 table and frowning when he sees that it''s unopened and ignored. "Grace?" he asks. ¡°Why didn''t you open this? Do you not want to eat it? What''s with all the coldness today? I''m pretty sure I didn''t do anything to incur your wrath." I don''t reply to him. I just get up and head to my printer. "Excuse me, I need to print my documents. You can leave now if you want." He leaves indeed, and when Ie back with my papers, he''s not there anymore. The only thing that he left behind is a note that says, "When you''re done with the attitude,e and see me." That pushes me to the edge> I crumple the note and dump it in the trash along with the dessert he gave me. I can''t do this anymore. I can''t have them in my life anymore. I print out a resignation letter and head to my director''s office. She reads it and stares at me. "Are you sure about this?" she asks. "Because you''re one of the good ones. here and I would hate for you to leave." "I''m sure about this," I tell her. That leaves her no choice but to ept it. "Well, ording topany policy, you still have to render a week of service," she says. "After that, I will let you go." The news of me leaving spread in my department. They all treat me to dinner, knowing that it might be a while until I see them again. My friend in the department. Harris, is sad to see me go. "We will miss you, Grace. I really hope you stay in contact with us because we want to hear from you." "I promise." I say, smiling. Just then, my phone rings. Since everyone''s phones are on the table for a little bet on whose person calls first, everyone sees. They allugh, and Harris answers the call. "Hello? What do you want with Grace? "Harris!" I try to say, but then Antonio''s angry voicees through. "Grace, where the hell are you?" I sigh, taking the phone from Harris. "I''m eating out with friends. Is that not something I''m allowed to do?" "Send me your location. I''ll go and pick you up. With that, he ends the call. 11 Knowing that this will cause a fight and I want none of it, I send him my location. The dinner is cut short, and yet even when the restaurant is closing, Antonio still isn''t here. 22-26 I look at my phone and check Cecilia''s socials. Like I expected, there are updates about her on her story. She''s sick, and that''s how I know that Antonio is with her. I take a taxi home, wondering why I believed he would be there. I just undress and clean up, eager toe to bed. However, when the early morning rolls in, I get woken up by Antonio. "Grace," he says. "I''m really hungry. Can you get up and make me something to eat? I''m feeling some pasta today. Maybe Bolognese." I take a deep breath. "And since when do you like pasta? You also hate tomatoes." doesn''t need to answer that, because I know immediately that it''s for ecilia, and he''s basically using me as a maid to make food for her. He touches my hand and tries to rouse me from my sleep, but I just push his hand off. I touch his scar, and all the memories flood back. He got that scar because of me. Antonio saved me when the school caught fire and I was stick in the hallway. Somehow, that makes all the sleep leave my body. I get up, but to my surprise, he stops me. He looks guilty. "It can wait untilter. I don''t really feel that hungry anymore. You can make itter when you have enough rest." I just put on my robe and get out of the bedroom. "Well, aside from the pasta, is there anything else that Cecilia wants?" Antonio pauses. He didn''t expect me so say that. "Um, nothing else. Nothing anymore." The sky is still dark, so I start making the food that he will give to her. He sits at the counter and watches me, looking nervous. "I forgot to tell you. I have a business trip to London next week It''s still on Monday, so there''s no need to panic or anything. I will still be with you." "I''m not panicking," I say ndly. "I hope you have a good trip." "Well, we can have dinner with your parents before I go," he says. "We can talk about the wedding." I face him, setting the te down in front of him. "That won''t be necessary." He gapes at me. "Why not? What do you mean?" I smile. "They haven''t gone back from their vacation yet." Antonio just stares at me. It seems that he wants to say something but he''s debating it. Before he can decide, his phone rings. Without saying anything, he leaves the kitchen to answer the call. Then he hurries to leave in his car. My resignation is finalized when Fridayes. I leave the office, still carrying just my bag. I have put away everything little by little so Antonio won''t know. Antonio shows up and drives me to a steakhouse, still clueless. He orders food for me, but he''s the only one who seems to be happy. He cuts my steak for me, asking, "Do you want some wine?" Since I''m on my phone looking at things, I just say, ¡°Up to you.¡± He doesn''t like that. "Who are you talking to?" "Nobody," I say, but he still snatches my phone. He looks at my screen and shakes his head. "Why did you change your wallpaper?" For years since we got together, my wallpaper has always been us. Now it''s a photo of my parents'' dog. It''s a dumb question, so I just stand up and excuse myself, heading to the When Ie back, Antonio is no longer at the table. I''m about to call him when suddenly, the lights tun oll and someone lights up the fairy lights. A waiter walks over to me with flowers and a cake. I look at my phone and it''s a birthday message from my parents. They remembered, and yet he didn''t. I walk out of the restaurant with my cake and flowers after paying the bill. I don''t have the energy for a taxi so ust walk home. But as I pass by the park, I hear a familiar voice. "Higher!" Cecilia saysughing. "You''re so strong, Antonio! Push me higher!" I look beyond the fence and see that Antonio is pushing Cecilia on a swing. I stand there, close to them, until they notice me. They look at each other. Antonio''s expression turns sour. "You should try the swing," he tells me. "It''s fun.¡± Cecilia blushes. "It really is. We''ve been doing this for a while. Please don''t be mad, though. We just wanted to have some fun. We grew up together." "You don''t need to exin anything to her," Antonio says, stroking her hair. He turns to me, his eyes cold. "Come here and join us." Not wanting to make him feel justified in being an asshole, I get into the park and sit on the spinning carousel. I just try to scroll on my phone and ignore them, but then Cecilia gets off the swing. She approaches me like she already has a n in mind. "I don''t want to go on the swing anymore. What she''s doing looks more fun." The Lies He Told Me 146 Grace''s POV I thought she''sing to where I''m sitting, but then I see her approaching the ferris wheel in the distance. I have no choice but to follow them, as I''m curious as to what stunt Cecilia is going to pull next. I''m not disappointed. Because as soon as we approach the stand, she says, "Two rides, please." The clerk just gives her two tickets and posts the "FULL" sign. Of course. Antonioes with her, smiling as though they didn''t just leave anyone behind. I shouldn''t havee here. I shouldn''t have tried to cushion his feelings. I head home, and right now I can almost feel Antonio looking for me but I don''t care anymore. I just pack my bags, making sure there is nothing left behind. I book a taxi to my parents'' ce, and before I leave, I write him a note that simply says, "It''s over. The engagement is off, and I''m breaking up with you." "Oh, honey, it''s going to be alright," my mom says immediately as soon as 220 I Crapter 129 Ie in, and I spend the night celebrating my birthday with them. By eleven in the evening. Antonio calls. I''m too busy to notice it, so it falls through. That doesn''t mean he won''t try again. And again. Sick of hearing the tone, I just turn off my phone and go to bed. For the first time in what feels like years, I have the best sleep of my life. It''s already noon when I wake , and for the first time, I wake up to a full meal and noints from anyone. open my phone, and to my surprise, I get a flood of messages and calls. I log into my socials, only to see so many messages from Antonio. "What do you mean the engagement is off? Why did you not take the keys to the apartment?" "It''s a birthday. You''re going to have it next year again. What''s the big deal?" "Are you just ying hard to get? Why are you doing this to me? Are you just being jealous?" "Get your ass back home now, or I will never speak to you again." Thest message was sent three hours ago. I let out a sigh of relief and delete Antonio from my contacts. I get up from bed and someone knocks on the door. I open it to see my mom walking in with a ss of milk. A knock came on the door. "Grace, have some hot milk. You always have problems with your stomach in the morning." Last night. I went home with my luggage, yet my parents didn''t ask me anything. They did nothing but take care of me as usual. They somehow felt something, and they just cheered me up. I drink the milk and smile up at her. "I won''t be here long. I''m nning to get a ce of my own. I just need to find a good ce and a really good. job.¡± My mom smiles back. "Your dad and I will help you. How much more do you need? We''ll give you as much as we can." I shake my head with a smile. "I have some money left. I can deal with it." She doesn''t say anything, but she transfers thirty thousand to my ount anyway. When I look up at her in surprise, she just says, "A woman must have her own ce and savings. There''s nothing wrong with a The next few days are spent looking for the right apartment. Monday That night, Dad cooks a grand meal for me. They even buy me another. birthday cake to make up for the other birthdays they missed. Mom lights the candles. "Make a wish, honey!" I smile, taking a deep breath and closing my eyes as I make my wish, "I wish my parents will live long happy lives, and that everything will just get better and better for all of us." I blow off the candles, and as we start to eat, I suddenly get so many messages at once. My heart stops when I see that it''s from my old friends. "Oh, my god! Grace, congrattions! I''m so happy for you! I''ll be there for your wedding!" "Grace, I sincerely wish you and Antonio all the best!" I''m confused to see the messages. The wedding is off. Did Antonio not get the message? Suddenly, a Facebook notification popped up. It was Antonio, asking to befriend me. 7760 "Grace. I posted something about our uing wedding. You got what you wanted. I think you better stop making a scene." I can''t help but chuckle when I saw "making a scene." Who on earth is making the scene? I recall that my mom once tried to get along with Antonio but failed. Now I''m quite grateful that he didn''t even think of epting my mom''s friend request. Or else she would have seen this. She would not be able to sleep with concern if she finds out. I try to calm myself down and reply to my friends, telling them that Antonio and I had already broken up. Later, I post something on Instagram. "Rumors stop here. I''m single and I don''t have a boyfriend. There is no engagement, and there is no wedding.¡± Within two minutes. I receive Antonio''s call. I don''t answer it. Yet Antonio doesn''t stop trying. That forces me to block his number atst. Finally, my world is quiet again. Iy back on my bed and turn the music on in my earphones. I can''t wait until all of this is behind me. Mondayes, and it''s time for me to visit the apartment and sign the lease with myndlord. The process is incredibly easy, and myndlord is a nice professionaldy who seems protective and good. "You will love it here," she tells me. "Now, if you can just hand me your deposit checks-" The rest of her words are interrupted with a call from her phone. She answers it, then her eyes go wide. "Um, Miss Parrish. This call is supposed to be for you." My eyes go wide. I immediately know that it''s Antonio and I want to die of embarrassment. I take her phone and stand in the corner, hissing, "What the hell is this about? Do you want me to file a restraining order on you?" But Antonio doesn''t listen. "Why would you tell everyone that you''re single?" "Because right now, it''s the truth and it''s none of your business." "You leaving your keys and avoiding me is none of my business?" He booms. "You''re almost thirty, Grace Surely you can be more mature than this. We''re engaged. We have our suit and gown fucking tailored. We''re going to get married like you always wanted. Why would you do this stunt? What do you expect me to do?" "I expect you to ept it like a grown man," I say immediately. He snorts like he doesn''t believe me. "What? Are you seriously breaking up with me?" I take a deep breath and say slowly. "Yes. I am breaking up with you and that is final." Silence hangs over the call. I can hear the voices in the background and I immediately recognize that he''s at the airport. I look at myndlord nervously, then I make a move to end the call. But that''s when Antonio speaks up again. "I know you were mad because I forgot your birthday,¡± he says, his tone now soft. "I know you''re mad because I spent a lot of time with Cecilia She was sick and she had no one else in the city to take care of her. I will do anything if you juste back. I will make it up to you-" ¡°No,¡± I say firmly. ¡°You''re not going to do anything for me. You''re not going to make anything up to me. All you need to do is remember this: we''re over. Now you need to leave me alone." The Lies He Told Me 147 I then told thendowner to cklist the number if Antonio ever called again. After signing the contract, I soon got my property certificate. I took a photo and then went to have a party with my friends. I only went back home at 10 p.m. and I offered to walk the dog for my dad. When I pushed the gate open, I saw a familiar tall figure blocking my way. It was Antonio. "Grace." I held the dog leash tightly as I stepped back nervously. "Stay where you are." Antonio frowned as he saw my reaction. He then approached me. He tried to say something while my pet dog, barking and biting, tried to stop him. Yet Antonio ignored the dog and finally forced me to a corner. With his back against the light, Antonio stared at me. He said, "Let''s talk. I don''t want any misunderstanding between us." I frowned and replied, "I don''t see any need for that." Holding his fists, Antonio leaned against the wall while cornering me. "Grace, have you forgotten that we''re getting married? "Do you think you can get rid of me that easily? "I''m your fiance, not your pet." In the face of his questions, I didn''t feel like answering any of them. I tried to push him away, yet I couldn''t. My pet dog kept barking crazily, trying to protect me. The noise lit up the lights of many floors. As more and more people were gathering, I had to make apromise since I didn''t wanna bother my parents. Thus, I took him to a coffee shop, which was open 24 hours a day. Antonio ordered two cups of Americano. One of them was with extra ice and without sugar. He ced that one beside me. "See, Grace? I know your preferences." I couldn''t help but blink my eyes. I hated everything bitter since I was little. We had ck coffee at home, simply because Antonio loved it. As for extra ice, it was only there to relieve the bitterness. I found Antonio more talkative after a few days without seeing him. He kept nagging even if I didn''t say anything. "I apologize for forgetting your birthday. "I got confused with the date. I always thought that it was in next month. "But I''ve prepared a gift for you ahead of time." As he spoke, he took out a velvet little box from his pocket. Seeing that I had no intention of opening it, Antonio had to open it himself. He then presented a pair of crystal earrings in front of me. They looked expensive. Two years ago, Antonio promised me that he would pick a pair of crystal earrings for me to wear on formal asions. He finally fulfilled his promise. Yet I no longer needed it. "Grace, why don''t you try them on?" I saw expectation in his eyes. After pausing for a few seconds, I finally picked up the earrings that I no longer wanted. Yet I didn''t try them on as he had expected. I fiddled with them before turning around my wrist and dropping them on the floor. The earrings were broken. The fragments hit the bottom of Antonio''s trousers. Only then did I see the wounds left by the dog. Yet I pretended not to have seen them. I raised my head and said, "They''re ugly. I don''t like them. "Is there anything else that you wanna say? "If not, I''d like to go back." Antonio spilled his coffee because his fingers were trembling. The freak didn''t seem to care the coffee stains left on the get He pressed his temples as he grabbed my hand. "Stop pretending. Grace! It''s not a game! "Not only did you text Cecilia to force her to resign, but you also broke 3 h me when she was about the surgery abroad. "I can forgive you for what you''ve done. "But you have to tell me what on earth you want. "You wanna get married to me at once, right?" The Lies He Told Me 148 Antonio''s face darkened as he pulled me to him all of a sudden. I was forced to look into his eyes. Antonio was surprised to see that there was nothing but coldness in my eyes. I got rid of his hands, not feeling like exining what had actually happened. Cecilia smashed my reputation by wronging me, yet I didn''t care. In the end, I said word by word, peacefully, "Antonio, I''m gonna say this for onest time. I''ve already broken up with you. "Thus, please stay assured. I won''t get married to you. And I don''t have any fantasy on you, either. "If we run into each other in the future, ignore me as if we had never known each other before. You don''t have to greet me." I didn''t yell or scold, nor did I bother him with my tears. He watched as I walked to the bar and ordered threettes with sugar for takeaway. Finally, Antonio was panicking. He followed me out of the coffee shop. "Grace, I''m your first love." I turned around at him and asked, "So?" "You confessed to me back then. You told me that you never liked anyone. that much before... "Remember what we said at themencement? We promised to stay together no matter what happened in the future." "So..." He even stammered, "So you can''t break up with me simply because you''re tired of our rtionship. It happens, but that''s no excuse for breaking up with me. It''s not fair." He made meugh. "That''s the kind of promise any new couple would make. Did you take that seriously?" I still remembered what I had heard the next day after I epted Antonio''s proposal. I stood at the door of his office, listening as heforted Cecilia, who pretended to congratte him on his engagement. "What I have for Grace is far from love. "She''s like a dog, following me all the time. I have to give her something so that she can stay there peacefully." Antonio said that he didn''t love me. Yet when I broke the promise, he seemed to be in extreme pain. I left him in the coffee shop, dumbfounded. I then ordered a taxi. The moment I opened the door, I heard Antonio''s cold voice. "Grace, you know me well. If you leave now, we''re indeed done..." I didn''t have the patience to hear him out. Thus, I got into the taxi without even turning around. Another month had passed. I was upied organizing my new ce and at the same time finding a new job. It was not easy. Yet luckily, I got my dream ce and my dream job. As for Antonio, I got his news from our mutual friends from time to time. They told me that Antonio seemed busier and busier. He didn''t have time. for socializing. He didn''t delete the post that said we were about to get married. Yet I didn''t mind that. I didn''t wanna waste my time or energy on someone in the past. It was Friday evening. I clocked off during the rush hour. Yet luckily, I managed to arrive on time at the banquet my college colleague held for her 100-day-old daughter. It was held in a bright banquet hall. I gave my colleague a baby overall as a present. During the banquet, a few friends of mine came over to chat with me. Finally came Alonso Vincent. He was two years inferior to me in college, aw major. We knew each other because we were in the same debate ss. I was the president, while he was the vice president. When Alonso left, he gave me some anti-hangover candies. I watched as he went back to his seat. My colleague came over with a smile. "Grace, I never invited Alonso. "After all, we''re not close at all. "He took the initiative to contact me and ask me if you would show up." It had So thest time. He had one of the richestwyers in New York City. Contentwye I left before the banquet was over. Alonso happened to leave early as well. In the elevator, Alonso said, "Grace, I always want to see you again." I squinted my eyes as I stared at Alonso, who was much taller than me, Alonso couldn''t help but cough a bit. When was about to speak, the doors opened as the elevator els reached the basement. A man was standing outside, which surprised me. "Antonio? What are you doing here?" Before I could finish. Antonio walked into the elevator and pulled me out by the wrist. The Lies He Told Me 149 Seeing me trying to get rid of him, Antonio said with gritted teeth, "Grace, you won. "No matter what you want, I won''t have any problem, as long as you stop torturing me by throwing a tantrum." was more than confused to hear that. "Antonio, what''s wrong with your brain? Don''t you understand? Whatever between us is done. How many more times do I need to repeat that to you?" Yet Antonio didn''t seem to understand that. He then stared at me for seconds. No matter how hard I struggled, Antonio just wouldn''t let go of me. He tried to drag me into the silver car a few meters away. Seeing that, Alonso came over and grabbed me by the other wrist. "Grace doesn''t wanna leave with you." Sensing that I was sparing no effort to get close to Alonso, Antonio was even more annoyed. Antonio then said to Alonso, "Grace and I are getting married. "She had epted my proposal a long time ago. She''ll be my wife in a few days. "What''s your business here? You''re just an outsider." Alonso tightened his grab. Before he fought back, I spoke up first. "Alonso is my boyfriend. My business is always his as well. "Yet you... what''s your business here? You''re nothing more than my ex- boyfriend. How dare you yell at my boyfriend?" After I said that, Cecilia got out of the car in her hospital gown. She leaned against Antonio as she blinked her eyes and spoke. "Grace, that''s too much. You were flirting with him back at the banquet. And now you even hurt Antonio for his sake. "Are you that horny? Within two months, you''re already with another man. "How could you do that?" Horny? Very well. I epted Cecilia''s usation. Then I turned to Antonio. "Look how generous Cecilia is! You two are a perfect couple. I wish you all the best." Upon hearing that, Antonio put on a stern face. Cecilia seemed quite contented. Just as she was about to irritate me, Antonio pushed her away as if he just woke up from a dream. The moment he saw Alonso beside me, he panicked. Cecilia didn''t expect that. She broke her knees as she hit the ground. She then watched as Antonio rushed to me. "Grace, whatever between Cecilia and me is not what you think it is. "She was in my car because she fainted in the office. Thus, I had to send her to the hospital." I found him funny. "Why are you telling that to me?" Seeing that I wasn''t mad, Antonio seemed quite relieved. "Grace, I just want you to know that you''re the only one that''s ever in my mind." When Alonso noted that Antonio was about to touch my face, he suddenly pulled me into his arms. He then said coldly to Antonio, "Grace is now my girlfriend. Please don''t cross the line." Before I Could thank Alonso for his set Antonio came to grab by the cor. He then punched Alonso. Alonso could have dodged that. Yet to protect me, who was still in his arms, Alonso chose to stand still and let Antonio hit him. I then pped Antonio in the face right after he punched Alonso. Letting go of Alonso, Antonio stood still, dumbfounded, for seconds. He finally turned around to me. He couldn''t believe what had just happened. "Grace, have you lost your mind?" He didn''t have to ask. He was convinced that I had lost my mind. If I hadn''t lost my mind, how could I have pped him? After all, I had been more than obedient in the past eight years. I had been deeply in fove with him for eight whole years. How could I have pped him for the sake of another man? The only exnation was that I had lost my mind or he was dreaming. Just as Antonio was figuring gout what was happening, he saw me holding Alonso''s hands, asking, "Does it hurt? Do we need to see a doctor?" Antonio waspletely shocked. His eyes turned red. Apparently, he didn''t believe what he had just seen. Cecilia got up from the ground. She hadn''t given up on Antonio yet. Thus, she pointed at me as she scolded me. "You bitch! Antonio always wants to marry you! Yet you cheated on him for this man!" I didn''t fight back before when Cecilia was making up stories to smear my reputation Yet she hade too far. She was using Alonso of being a home- wrecker. That was too much. With a chuckle, I took off my right high heel and came to her. The Lies He Told Me 150 Before everyone else could react, I did something shocking. "Ahh!" Cecilia screamed as she tried to step back, yet I didn''t let her. I grabbed her long hair with one hand while pping her in the face with my high heel. It didn''t take long before her mouth swelled up. She screamed in great pain and couldn''t help but cry. As I was teaching Cecilia a lesson, she kept looking at Antonio for help. Yet Antonio did nothing to interfere as she was being dramatic. Antonio even tried to put my high heel on for me after I dropped Cecilia to the ground as if she were trash. "Grace, please don''t be mad. "I know you''re not what Cecilia says you are. "I finally understand. Cecilia is the reason why we''re where we are now. "I promise that I won''t pity her anymore. I''ll dismiss her once I''m back in the office. OK? "So, please. Don''t break up with me, please. Grace, I''m truly sorry." Having nced at Cecilia''s hopeless face, I took off the other shoe and smashed Antonio with it in the face. "It won''t work. Even if you fire Cecilia 100 times, it won''t change the fact that we''ve already broken up." With that, I was about to leave. Yet Antonio stopped me by grabbing my dress. His hands were trembling. Honestly speaking, I never saw him so helpless before. "Please don''t leave. Could you please tell me what wrong I did? Why did you have to break up with me? "Is it true that you''re with this guy now? "Grace, I don''t believe you. You won''t be so cruel to me." "Let go of me." He shook his head stubbornly. He then said with a hoarse voice, "Grace, look at me. "Unless you look into my eyes and tell me that you love Alonso instead of me, I won''t believe you." As he wished, I looked into his desperate red eyes and gave him what he asked for. I then said to him word by word. "Antonio Kaufinan, I don''t love you anymore. "And I won''t fall in love with you again in the future. Do you understand?" Antonio could no longer stand. He kneeled in front of me and forced a smile. "I don''t care, Grace, as long as I love. you. "You don''t have to love me. As long as you don''t break up with me, I can do anything including killing..." I responded peacefully. "I don''t need your love. It''s worthless." "Don''t ever pester me again, or I''ll call the police." Having heard that, Antonio blinked his eyes and tears flooded. "Grace, please don''t treat me like this. I know I shouldn''t have hurt your feelings. I shouldn''t have ignored how much you loved me. "Why can''t you spare me onest chance to make up for what I did wrong? swear I''ll show you that I can make changes for you. I.. stopped his monologue and said, "Antonio, it''s toote now." I then got into Alonso''s car, leaving Antonio alone. In the car, I apologized to Alonso for all the trouble I caused him. Yet Alonso smiled, not taking it seriously. "Call me next time you''re in such a situation." He then drove me home. "Grace, if Antonioes to bother you again, hd, call me. Anytime." I with a smile alet have dinner with him next After a month, I received a call from an unknown number. It was Antonio. He sounded weak, seeming to have fallen ill. He never stopped coughing during the phone call. "Grace, please don''t hang up. I only have one question for you. Have you ever been in love with me?" "Nope." With that, I hung up the phone and went on watching the reality show on TV. Two dayster, I learned from a chat group of my college colleagues that Antonio''spany suffered from arson. He was caught in the fire and ended up in the hospital, struggling to live. Cecilia did it. Cecilia was furious about being dismissed. She went crazy and locked the door of the building trying to kill Antonio together with herself. I then read the report from the police. That was when I realized that Antonio dialed my number in the fire. "Yuck! What bad luck!" I mumbled in front of the cinema, drawing Alonso''s attention. "What did you say, Grace?" "Nothing." I then closed the group chat and turned to Alonso''s phone. "Have you got the tickets yet? What time is the movie?" "Yep. It''ll start in half an hour. We have enough time to buy you your favorite milk tea." Alonso took me to do downstairs. On our way, he also bought me some toys and snacks. I felt like we were not here for the movie but for a pic. After watching the movie, we went to the parking lot. Alonso asked me to open the trunk for him. When I saw the flowers and balloons there, I was not surprised at all. Yet Alonso seemed quite nervous. "Grace, would you like to be my girlfriend?" I held his hand without hesitation. "Sure." In this long and bumpy journey called life, there''s always someone waiting for us, just for us. Be patient. Maybe he''s right there at the next corner. The end. The Lies He Told Me 151 The day I found out my fiance was marrying my stepsister, I was looking for an abortion. The night before our wedding. I saw him and my stepsister getting married in a castle. I couldn''t believe my eyes. The scene yed out in front of me like a haunting dream, one that I couldn''t escape from no matter how hard I prayed for it to end. I stood outside the castle in the rain, watching as my fiance, Antonio Kaufman, kissed my stepsister, Roxanne Parrish. There he was, the man I loved, standing at the altar with my stepsister, exchanging vows and rings. And she looked every bit the princess that I never could be. After about ten minutes, he took the blushing Roxanne in his arms. They looked so happy Only then did I notice my family and friends were here, too. My aunts and my father were smiling while holding each other. My brother, Levi, whom I''d saved with my life, was officiating the wedding. In a ck robe, he blessed Roxanne. Did he forget that I was his full sister, not her? Once, we almost got run over by Roxanne and her mom Elise! Just then, Levi eximed, "May you be happy forever." Right after that, piano music sounded. Antonio never agreed to y live piano music in our wedding, he said it was too cliche and unoriginal. And yet they were ying it now. I couldn''t understand what went wrong, why the betrayal. Feeling a bit suffocated, I dialed Levi''s number. Standing in the middle of the auditorium, he ignored my call after a casual nce. Without hesitation. I called Antonio. He would pick up my call, wouldn''t he? The moment he saw the caller ID, his face went cold. He wanted to ignore my call as Levi did. But Roxanne said something. Then he pressed the answer button, looking impatient. "Grace? What do you need? I held back the tears and asked softly, "Where are you?" in front of everyone, he rolled his eyes, "I''m at work. Stay at home now that you''re pregnant." I held my stomach by instinct, and my tears started to roll down slowly. "Aren''t you at the castle?" My voice almost broke with the sense of helplessness "I told you already. I came to the castle with Roxanne for archaeology. You''re so annoying, always thinking I''m cheating on you." He sounded. I extremely impatient. His harsh words overwhelmed and hurt me. It wasn''t enough that they did all this ceremony without telling me a word, they nned it all behind my back. Biting my lip, I said, "It''s my birthday. You said you''d be with me." Antonio had promised he''d celebrate my birthday with me no matter what. So, even though he was 1,000 kilometers away from me on a business. trip. I still made the extreme effort to go to him. I took multiple buses, and hiked five kilometers, traveling through the woods despite my fear, just to find him. Then a farmer told me no one was doing any archaeological work there. But he heard that a certain Professor Mason had been nning a castle wedding with his beloved there. I did all of that to be able to spend with him this special day, and he simply forgot. Antonio fell silent, like he finally remembered his promise. When he was about to say something, Levi snatched his phone away. Grace, could you please leave us alone? Stop bothering Antonio when he''s working. Then he hung up the phone. My own brother had betrayed me, my parents did not seem to even care either. Leaning in Antonio''s arms, Roxanne smiled sweetly, stroked Levi''s head, and coaxed him softly, "Don''t get upset. You know Grace has always been controlling. Be more understanding, OK?" Levi nodded with a smile. Me? Controlling? I always gave everyone what they wanted before myself, and gave priority to other people''s happiness instead of mine. It was like hearing those words hurt more than a physical p on my face. Feeling weak all over, I left the castle and booked an appointment for an abortion. Images of Antonio and Roxanne together swirled in my mind, making me feel sick to my stomach. I couldn''t believe the man I loved had betrayed me like this. How could he choose someone like Roxanne over me? But then a small voice in my head reminded me that Antonio had never truly loved me.. He had always been more interested in his work and his image than in our rtionship. And now, it seemed like he was willing to throw away everything we had for Roxanne. Feeling defeated and broken, I pulled out my phone and saw it was time for the appointment I made for the abortion. I couldn''t bear the thought of bringing a child into this mess. The next few hours were a blur as I prepared for the procedure. The doctor and nurses were kind and understanding, but their sympathy only made it harder for me to keep it together. As they started the procedure, tears streamed down my face. All those dreams of starting a family with Antonio were now gone, reced with a sense of emptiness. Then I fainted, and they couldn''t finish the procedure. The Lies He Told Me 152 I didn''t want anything from them, neither Antonio nor the baby. I didn''t want anything from my family either. By the time I got back to the city from the clinic, it waste at night. I made a mental note to try to abort again when I got back home. I booked into a random hotel, washed up, cried for a while, and fell asleep in a daze. In the early hours, the rapid ringing of the phone woke me up. My boss at the TV station was calling, sounding both frantic and hyped, "Grace. I heard there was a tornado at that castle you were at yesterday. d to hear you are alive. Now go and report it!" He hung up before I could even respond. I did work for a very important news channel, and they were aware of the wedding preparations I had. They even knew it was going to be held in this famous castle that I always dreamed about. That was why my boss knew where I was. A tornado? At the castle? I couldn''t really believe that, but I would have to check their social media to see what went on With a sigh, I got out of bed and turned on my phone. I didn''t see much going on, and sadly not even one message from Antonio. Then I checked Facebook. It was strangely uneventful, not even a post from my parents That was when I saw Roxanne''stest post on Instagram- a picture of her hand intertwined with Antonio''s. On their ring fingers were matching rings. Seeing the pale scar on the back of Antonio''s hand made my heart ache again. protect me from my abusive dad when he was 18. pierced by a broken beer bottle, leaving that scar. I always thought it was proof that he cared about me. his hand was Turned out it was just my fantasy. Everything was just an illusion in my head. Turning on myptop. I quickly sorted out some interview materials and asked mywyer friend to draft up a divorce agreement for the legal marriage we had before. When I returned to the castle, everything was in ruins. It seemed like, the tornado did some serious damage. Looking at some detonators piled up near the castle for mining, I suddenly had a bad feeling. I found one of the rescuers and I started to ask for some information. A tornado caused a lot of destruction, but at the same time, the mining detonators nearby could probably cause simr damage. The next thing I knew, someone kicked me in the back. Caught off guard, I went tumbling into the debris caused by the tornado. Then I heard Levi''s fierce voice rang out. "What the fuck is wrong with you, Grace? Don''t tell me you''re here to catch them in the act." Somewhere along the line, he seemed to have forgotten how our mom died because of Elise. He had long be Roxanne''spdog. I couldn''t recognize him anymore. I didn''t want such a brother. In silence, I stood up and brushed off the dust. Then I walked up to him, pping him hard across the face. I focused all my sadness and pain on that p. His head tilted because of the force. Shocked, he stared at me, as he never expected me to fight back. Before he reacted, I red at him with disgust, snapping, "I''m here to work. And I don''t want you as a brother anymore. Go cry up to Roxanne." Ignoring his furious stare, I turned away and continued with my interview. Not far away, Antonio walked over, holding the pale Roxanne, not even pretending in front of me. A hint of guilt shed across Antonio''s face as he exined, "Grace sorry for not wishing you a happy birthdayst night. I''ll go back and make it up to you when Pfinish digging here." I calmly shifted my gaze from their interlocked hands and shook my head. "No need." My chill response left the three stunned. Levi started to make fun of me, toma "What are you up to this time, Grace? Drop the act. You''ve always wanted Antonio''s attention, right? You know what? Though you''re pregnant, he still loves Roxane, not you." Levi was as ignorant as ever. Seeing me remain unaffected, Antonio was pissed, too. He spat, "Grace, you followed me and disturbed my work. And now, you''re even throwing a tantrum? My patience is wearing thin. Roxanne needs peace to recover, and your presence will only upset her. Go the helf out of here, now!" He grabbed my hand, trying to drag me away. Just then, the tornado rms in the city struck again. Another tornado? So soon? That was very unusual and also very dangerous. Almost at the same time, Antonio and Levi rushed to protect Roxanne, who was standing in the clearing. Without care, Antonio pushed me to the ground, despite seeing a fallen concrete pole behind me. His only focus was Roxanne. It mmed into my left leg with brutal force. I cried out loud. In severe pain, I passed out. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 153 When I woke up, I was alone at the hospital with my left leg in a cast. I struggled to remember what had happened, but then a very strong pain reminded me of all. Noticing that I was awake, a nurse came over to remove my IV and said with concern, "You''re lucky that it''s just your leg, or you would have lost your baby." I looked calmly at the ceiling and replied, almost whispering, "I don''t want the baby. Can you schedule an abortion for me?" The nurse looked at me with surprise. "I don''t know, I will have to talk to the doctor first, Miss." "Please do, I can''t continue with this anymore, I beg you," I said to her once more, pleading for her sympathy. After I was wheeled out by the nurse, I learned that it was the vige chief who had brought me here. All I got from Antonio was a text, which read, "Roxanne fainted from seeing your injured leg. So I took her back to New York for treatment." He and Levi requested a rescue helicopter overnight and escorted her to New York. I was hurt but no longer surprised that he didn''t care about my injuries at all. The great disappointment made me numb all over, yet somehow I still felt the heartbreak soon after. Not long after, the nurse came to tell me that my abortion was set for three hourster. During this period of time, I finalized the legal divorce agreement with mywyer friend. As I exited our chat, I saw Roxanne posted screenshots of money transfers on Facebook. So, they all remembered her birthday, which was the day after mine. I remember when I asked my dad, Peter, for 2.000 dors to buy some equipment to be a better journalist. He said that was too much and yet he transferred 8,500 dors to her while leaving a message, "Happy birthday, sweetie!" Last month, my brother used my car and had an ident while driving it. He was ok, but he wrecked my car and said he could not afford to fix it. Levi transferred 16,000 dors to her, saying, "My dearest sister, may you be happy forever!" And of course, Antonio would never even take me out for dinner, saying it was too expensive. He sent her a screenshot of a bank transfer of 85,000 dors, and the words attached were, "No matter what the future holds, I''ll love you. forever." In silence, I looked at all the screenshots one by one and then unfriended. Roxanne on Facebook. Just then, Antonio called. How did he find out? As soon as I picked up, he mocked me, "What''s gotten into you this time, Grace? You just hate to see us being so nice to Roxanne, right? Back in high school, you used her and Elise of killing your mom. But then what?" "Antonio," I started carefully, but he didn''t let me finish. "Peter told me everything. Your mom had mental issues! Shemitted suicide! Then you imed Elise tricked you and Levi into some school to fight Inte addiction." "You are wrong," I answered, raising my voice a bit more. He didn''t try to mask the disdain in tor his tone as he continued ranting, "I already had someone look into it. That school doesn''t exist at all. Levi said you lured him to an abandoned school, and then he hit his head and lost his memory. It was Roxanne who took care of him for a month." It was like he finally stopped pretending, and he kept cursing me. "Honestly, never wanted to marry you! Back then, if it weren''t for e Roxanne worrying you might hurt yourself, I wouldn''t have gone into the hotel and drunk the wine you had spiked with drugs..." I listened in silence until a female voice cut him off. "Patient No. 037, Grace Parrish, pleasee to the door of the abortion room." Antonio went quiet for a while. Then he asked, his breath quickening, "You''re getting an abortion?" Somehow I sensed a hint of disbelief in his tone. As I was about to speak, Roxanne''s chuckle sounded on the other end of the line. "Come on, Antonio. Grace cares so much about you and your baby. Why would she get an abortion?" Antonio''s voice instantly turned cold. "You''re right. Grace, you''ve really let me down." "You can believe whatever you want, Antonio. I no longer care," I told him and he was more upset. "Both you and Roxanne are born to the same father, but you''re nothing like her How can you be so maniptive? After going all out to marry me, now you want to threaten me with the baby?". "Antonio," I started to speak again but he did not want to hear anything. "Well guess what, I''m not falling for that crap. Let''s get a divorce." He sounded triumphant, like he was waiting for me to ery and beg for mercy. But he was wrong. After pausing for a few seconds, I suddenly felt a lot relieved. "Sure. Let''s get a divorce." I then ended the call and walked into the abortion room. The Lies He Told Me 154 Antonio didn''t call me again until I got back to New York after the surgery. He seemed to think I said that in a fit of pique.. He sent several posts on Instagram, featuring he took Roxanne to try on wedding dresses, take wedding photos, and even choose gifts. I ignored all his posts, went back to the station, and applied to the geological survey research team that was going to shoot a documentary on Antarctica. Also, I reported to the news channel the documents that the vige chief had slipped into my bag when he took me to the hospital that day. When I learned the truth about the tornado, thest trace of my love for Antonio was reced by disgust. After all this, I went back to the small apartment I had lived in after graduation. I packed up all the cheap, crappy gifts Antonio had given me over the past fifteen years. Then I sent them to the wedding along with the divorce papers and a DVD containing the information about the school for Inte addiction I had researched over the years. Levi was very young when he was sent to that school. Suffering from PTSD from being tortured, he had forgotten everything. Over the years, I didn''t bring anything up as I didn''t want him to relive the pain. Yet now as I thought about it, maybe I was wrong. Before boarding, I blocked all Antonio and Levi''s contact information. Then I pulled out the SIM card, broke it, and threw it in the trash. From now on, I had nothing to do with these jerks. At the wedding, Antonio felt uneasy for some reason. He figured it was probably because of Roxanne''s condition. She had terminal lung cancer. It suffocated him to think such a harmless, sweet girl would die soon. He wondered more than once why it wasn''t Grace who had it. Grace was so vicious; she deserved this. And Levi shared the same thought, saying from time to time, "Roxanne is perfect. How I wish it were that bitch Grace who''s dying!" At this thought, Antonio was even more pissed off at Grace. "The wedding is about to start. Where is Grace? She thinks she can act however she wants just because she''s pregnant?" he thought. Then he dialed Grace''s number, which he had not called for a long time, only to find his number had been blocked. Seeing that, Levi tried calling Grace and realized his number had been. blocked, too. "She''s crazy!" Cursing, Levi started to contact others who knew Grace. Meanwhile, Antonioined in a deep voice. "I married Grace only to fulfill Roxanne''s dream. "I already made the biggest emise by agreeing to et she actually dares ? When I find her, I''ll "Excuse me. Are you Mr. Parrish and Mr. Kaufman?" A deliveryman''s voice suddenly rang out. "This is an express from Miss Parrish. Please sign for it." After signing, Antonio opened the package. The first thing he saw was a divorce agreement. Sneering, he didn''t take it seriously at all and tossed it to the floor.. Yet in the next second, he was stunned as he saw the abortion report under the agreement. "No way." He was both startled and incredulous. Perhaps toforte ous. Perhaps toet he forced himself to small wooden box in the package. Seeing what was inside, he froze. Lying there was the tiny, crouching bones of a baby. His pupils shrank as the box slipped out of his hand and fell to the floor. Levi''s expression changed, too. Yet unlike Antonio, who was lost in a trance, he was angry. "Damned Grace! It''s a big day today, but she just won''t give up any chance of annoying us! What a bitch..." "Oh, one more thing. Miss Parrish specifically asked me to tell you that the DVD in the box would tell you the truth about the past." The deliveryman left, his face calm. Antonio was still in a daze and didn''t catch the deliveryman''s words. Levi, however, sneered and then threw the box in a cleaning cart beside him. "What trick is she ying this time?" Then he pulled Antonio, who was still lost in thought, and gave him a wink. "Antonio, since Grace won''t show up, why don''t you marry Roxanne today?? "You love her, and the wedding dress and ring were designed in her size, right?" Hearing Roxanne''s name, Antonio finally snapped back to reality. He forced a smile and nodded, no longer looking at the box. Following Levi, he went to the hotel room where Roxanne stayed. Before this, Levi suggested that he buy a bouquet of is Levi suggested that he give Roxanne a surprise. tell anyone The Lies He Told Me 155 Yet as soon as Antonio and Levi reached the room door, they heard the click of a lighter. There was a crack in the door. Through the crack, Antonio saw Roxanne. The seemingly innocent girl who was supposed to have lung cancer was now smoking. Peter and Elise were sitting on the sofa opposite her, both lookingcent. Elise was very pleased as she counted the bride price given by Antonio. "Roxanne, sweetie, you''re so smart. "You pretended that you had cancer and fooled Antonio, totally wrapping him around your finger. "He calls himself a professor? He couldn''t even tell that it was a fake diagnosis." Elise''s tone was nothing but mean. While saying, she exchanged a look with Peter, curled up her lips, and sneered. "Antonio is so stupid. Grace has loved him for fifteen years, but he just insists on being with you. "Sweetie, you are charming indeed." Peter took a sip of the wine andmented arrogantly, "Grace is just like her mom. Both are bound to be miserable. "If her mom had given us her inheritance, she wouldn''t have been tortured so much that she jumped off the building. "And we wouldn''t have had to put on an act to keep that stupid Levi in the dark." Roxanne rolled her eyes impatiently, saying in disgust, "Where''s that bitch Grace anyway? If she dares to run away, I swear I''ll make her pay! "And I''ll deal with that baby she''s carrying! If it weren''t for me being infertile, she wouldn''t have been able to marry Antonio at all! "After they get married, find a chance to send her back to that school to make her suffer. We''ll im that the school is for disciplining women this time. "Then I''ll y pitiful in front of Antonio, saying Grace picks on me. I''m sure he''ll believe me. "After Grace gives birth, we''ll use her baby to im the property her mom left.¡± After conspiring loudly, the three burst intoughter. Little did they know the two men behind the door were on the verge of losing it. Just then, a loud bang came as the door was kicked open.. Antonio was so pissed off that his face turned livid, and he trembled all over. With a sullen face, he sneered, his voice cold, "You''ve been lying to us?" Levi, who was always gentle and polite, roared with great hatred, "It''s really you. My mom is dead because of you!" Roxanne and her parents were dumbfounded. She put out her cigarette with trembling hands. Then she shed a few tears, trying to y pitiful again. "Antonio, you got us wrong. Grace forced us to say that. She said if we didn''t do as she said, she''d abort the baby..." "You bitch! You don''t get to say her name!" Enraged, Antonio kicked Roxanne hard, who kept ndering Grace. He couldn''t help but tremble with anger, while countless scenes of the past nearly twenty years came back to him non-stop. He thought, "My sweet Grace never did anything wrong! "It''s been fifteen years! How many times has Roxanne smeared Grace? And how many times have I hurt Grace because of Roxanne''s lies?" He didn''t dare to think further as the answer might be heart-wrenching. Totally terrified, Roxanne wanted to scramble out. Yet Antonio grabbed her hair and pulled her back. "You want tung cancer so badly? I don''t mind helping you have a taste of the pain you deserve." With a venomous smile, he smashed her head with a wine bottle. The sharp pieces of the bottle scratched her pretty face. She covered her fac screaming in pain. Elise shouted with rage, "I''ll call the cops and have you arrested! Your and Levi are the ones who have been hurting Grace! Roxanne has never done anything wrong! We''ve got nothing to do with it!" Antonio shook at her words. Then he smiled bitterly and nodded. "You''re right. We''ve been causing Grace pain. But even so..." His eyes turned sinister as he snarled, "We''ll make sure you pay the price!" Panting, Levi rushed back with the box he had tossed away. Hearing Elise and Peter refuse to admit what they had done, Levi raised the DVD with a self- mocking smile. "I remember everything now. Grace has always been the one protecting me." Upon seeing the school''s name on the DVD, Roxanne, Elise, and Peter could no longer remain calm. *** Six monthster, one day, I stood the Antarctic ice sheet, quietly following a photographer documenting the migratory paths of emperor penguins. After I was done for the day, I headed back to base. My domestic leader video- chatted with me. "Grace, the Antarctic project is almost over. When are youing back?" I took off my goggles against the snow, smiling, "Tomorrow." The anniversary of my mom''s death was next month. I should go back and pay her my respects. The Lies He Told Me 156 "OK. The case you reported about the illegal excavation at the castle caused quite a stir, and the suspect has been arrested and sentenced to three years. "That guy''s called Antonio Kaufinan, and he seems a bit familiar. "By the way, he has the same surname as your ex- fiance. And he was a history professor. How could he do such a thing?" I shook my head and replied calmly, "I don''t know him." After some small talk with my boss, I hung up. Having packed my bags and said bye to my friends. I boarded the cruise ship back home. After a month at sea, I returned to New York. In the past six months in Antarctica. I had let go of the past. From now on. I''d only live for myself. I rented a ce near the TV station. The next day. I went back to the station. After handing over work to my colleagues, I bought a bouquet of flowers and went to the cemetery. Standing in front of my mom''s tombstone, I found it spotless- surrounded by flowers and her favorite desserts. I stared at the photo of me, Levi, and Mom on the tombstone before. looking away, as calm as ever. After a long time, I p down the bouquet and turned around, only to see Levi behind me. It had been half a year since west saw each other; he looked way thinner, and his once vibrant spirit seemed crushed. He appeared much older. He spoke in a cautious voice, not daring to look me in the eye, "You''re back, Grace." The husky voice of his carried obvious guilt. He fidgeted with his faded shirt hem and forced a smile. "No one''s hogging Mom''s ce anymore. "Before Antonio got arrested, he chased Roxanne and her parents away. And you still own Mom''s inheritance." He got more excited as he spoke but suddenly broke into tears when he saw my cold expression. "You''re the only one I have, Grace. I was wrong. "You know what? I had been worried sick about you thest six months you''ve been gone." He covered his face and cried, tears dripping down his chin and wetting his cor. "Please, Grace. Don''t leave me." He fell on his knees in front of me while crying his eyes out and hugging my calf, begging me to forgive him. Sighing helplessly, I pushed him away. "But back then, I was all alone too. Even so, you hated my guts and wished me dead. "Levi, I''m a human and have feelings. I''m not some toy or robot. "Ask yourself. What did you do to me for Roxanne''s sake in the past? Do you deserve my forgiveness?" He turned ghastly pale and He crumpled to the ground, trembling all over, his sunken eyes filled with despair and regret. In a frenzy, he began to tear at his dry, peeling lips and still wouldn''t stop until they were dripping with blood. Ignoring it. I turned around, and his resolute voice came from behind. "It''s fine. Grace. You''re my only family. "You don''t have to forgive me. I''ll protect you and guard you forever, giving up everything for you including my life." He sounded so certain, reminding me of the time when he promised to protect Roxanne. But I simply didn''t need that anymore. I went back to my rental ce and cleaned up casually. The next day, I went out to my best friend''s wedding. She had been my ride-or- die since high school. Back then, the whole ss was brainwashed by Roxanne and isted me, and my bestie, was the only one who hung out with me. In the past few days since I came back, I heard what had happened to Roxanne, Elise, and Peter from others. My dad married my mom, who was from a rich family, for her fortune So, after my grandparents died he started torturing my mom in kinds of ways. When Levi was five, she had been afflicted with severe h That was when Elise Roxanne on their Peter never came home after that day. When it was the holidays, what Mom, Levi, and I always received was Peter''s indifference and Elise''s sarcastic remarks. My mom hung in there for Levi and me for See years. On my 17th birthday, under Elise''s provocal she jumped off a building. Peter imed Roxanne was ill and needed my bone marrow. Cornered, my mom transferred all her assets to me and told Peter that if I died, they wouldn''t t get a penny. Peter was exasperated. The next day, he put Levi and me in a school, saying he was helping us wean off the Inte. The Lies He Told Me 157 I tried my best and finally escaped, and then I threatened Peter I''d go to the police with proof. Only then did he have some restraint. Then he found himself unable to have kids anymore, and Levi was his only son. So, he didn''t try to hurt Levi again. However, Peter wasn''t cut out for business, and he had lost a fortune over the years. So, he set his eyes on my mom''s inheritance. They couldn''t kill me. However, as long as I married Antonio, who was in love with Roxanne, and gave birth to an heir, they''d have the money. Roxanne wasn''t exactly a decent woman. Peter and Elise sent her abroad. to find herself a rich husband, but she ended up bing infertile due to screwing around. They had no choice but to use lung cancer to cover it up, tricking Antonio into marrying me and making me pregnant. Little did they know that Antonio would be at the hotel that night and hear everything. My bestie told me what happened after I left. Antonio went crazy after I disappeared from the wedding Six months ago. After knowing the truth, he beat Roxanne into aa and disfigured her. Elise and Peter threatened him, saying they''d put him in jail. In response, he exposed the facts that Peter had been cooking the books and bribing over the years. Also, it was also Peter''s idea to build the castle and have Antonio propose to Roxanne. The reason was he colluded with a local profiteer and wanted to mine privately. Peter totally panicked after knowing he was exposed. He ran away overnight, leaving Elise and Roxanne behind. Elise had always rubbed in my mom''s nose that she was the love of Peter''s life. Yet when she woke up in the morning, she found the vi empty. Instantly, she was flustered and angry. Unfortunately, Peter had kept her over the years, and she was basically a good- for- nothing. What was worse, Roxanne needed tens of thousands of dors for her medical treatment. Elise had to borrow money from those men she had been with when she was young. However, a lot of them were already married when they were together, and she only got to be their mistress because of her Therefore, now that she was in misery, no one helped her at all. Instead, she was utterly tortured and humiliated. She didn''t get to borrow a penny and was almost taken by a human trafficker. Cornered, she could only ask Antonio forpensation. But Antonio was set to ruin all three of them. He gave all his assets to me unconditionally the day he attacked Roxanne. When the police caught him, he was already broke. Elise, having no way out, totally freaked out. She didn''t exactly love Roxanne that much, so she brought Roxanne home when Roxanne was still severely injured. Chipin 141 Roxanne, who woke up and found herself disfigured, couldn''t ept it and cursed Elise for being selfish and disgusting. During their quarrel, she identally pushed Elise off the 13th- floor balcony, and Elise died. After that, Roxanne went crazy. She spent all day picking up garbage to eat in the neighborhood without wearing any clothes. In the end, the property management staff couldn''t take it anymore. They put clothes on her and, together with the police, took her to a mental hospital. Peter thought he got away with it, ¨¦t but he didn''t know the profiteer he was in cahoots had been locked up asked Peter forpensation. ter things went down, he Peter blocked his number. Of course, the profiteer wouldn''t ept it. He found a PI and knew where Peter was hiding. Then he hired a dozen beefy men to grab Peter and sell him to the high seas. With money from selling Peter''s organs, he got thepensation he wanted bit by bit. But almost as soon as he received the money, the cops, who had always been keeping an eye on him, took him away. Antonio, who had been giving the cops tips, was eventually sentenced to three years in prison. After telling me the whole story, my bestie sighed and said earnestly, "That''s why we should keep our hands off bad deeds. See? Karma never lets anyone get away." I smiled, tasted a slice of mousse, and echoed, "Indeed." Seeing how calm I was, she said, quite gossipy. "You have no idea. Antonio almost went crazy looking for you that day. He asked everyone. who knew you, and when he found out you went to Antarctica, he waspletely heartbroken. "Jerks are always like this, only regretting it after losing what they should cherish." Nodding, I sneered, "He''s a typical jerk. Don''t bring him up again. It''s bad luck." Antonio was my mom''s student. His family wasn''t well off, but he had good grades and was very talented in calligraphy. My mom was a student of a famous calligrapher. She saw Antonio''s talent in a calligraphypetition, epted him as her student, and even helped him through high school. Back then, he was a straight-A student and also the school hunk. I had a big crush on him, and he took care of me. And he knew about Roxanne and Elise wrecking my mom''s marriage. At first, he resented Roxanne and felt bad for me. When I was bullied, he''d step up and use Roxanne. But after they went to a summer camp together, he was like a different person. I was supposed to go to the summer camp, too. Yet before we set off, I got allergic somehow and had a high fever. So I had to be hospitalized. The Lies He Told Me 158 The summer camp ended after a month. I happily went to the airport to pick up Antonio, only to find him looking at me and my mom with nothing but disgust and disdain. Roxanne looked overcently when he wrapped his coat around her and said with concern, "Roxanne, take care of yourself. Don''t worry. I''m always with you." My heart broke when I heard his words. The green light was on, and the car behind me red, dragging me back from my memory. I collected myself, no longer having any feelings for Antonio. As I drove forward, the sun shone on me. It was so bright, just like my future life. Three yearster, I entered the global documentarypetition as a Gold Award winner. After thepetition, I signed autographs for all the fans who came to congratte me. During these three years, I continued to devote myself to charity and documentary work. Together with my colleagues, I traveled almost the entire world, documenting arge number of endangered species. It was already midnight when I finished my work. Back at my vi downtown, I was so sleepy I could barely keep my eyes open. When I saw a man standing in the front yard of my vi, I clenched the taser stick in my hand. These years of adventures abroad had made me subconsciously wary of all strangers. The streemp lit up because of my movements. Hearing sounds, the person turned around. Only then did I realize it was Antonio, who had just been released. He wore a buzz cut, and one of his eyes turned blind. His cheeks were sunken, and his brow bone was broken, like he had been. beaten up. Also, he limped on his left leg and stood all crooked. He seemed to realize that he and I were now from two different worlds. "Grace," he said softly, his hoarse, deep voice filled with guilt. I said nothing while looking at him calmly. He wasn''t surprised; maybe it was because he had known I''d react like this. Swallowing hard, he took out a ne from his pocket, where there was a baby face on it. He rubbed the pendant with his coarse fingers before smiling self- mockingly. "I know I don''t even deserve to give you this gift, but I do love the baby. "I''m a bastard. And I can never make it up to you. Before I was locked up, I bought a gave for our baby. As for this pendant, I bought it with the money I earned from working at a construction site after I got out of prison. It''s clean money. "Grace, I won''t beg you to forgive me, now it''s impossible. ? want you to take care of yourself." Gontent Suddenly, he coughed a few times, and when he looked up again, I saw blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. He wiped it away casually and continued, his voice soft, "I deserve this. The doctor said I had terminal lung cer. I only have three months to live." With that, he ced the ne gently in the mailbox in the yard. Rubbing his hands, he looked at me almost pleadingly. "Can I ask a favor? When I die, can you bury my ashes with the baby''s?" He hurt me so much that I just couldn''t respond to him calmly. Seeming to sense my hatred, he fell silent, his eyes turning red, tears of remorse streaming down his cheeks. His tall, sturdy body suddenly stooped like an old, broken boat. Then he turned and stumbled away his thin figure stretching longer under the dimming suel he vanished around the I turned around and left while holding my bag. While walking, I tossed the ne into the trash can. My baby was like me, we loathed bted love. Three monthster, I finished another big project. until While celebrating with my friends, I got a call from the funeral home, wondering if I wanted Antonio''s ashes. I looked out the window at the in blueke, refusing with a smile, "No. Pour it into the sewer." Then I hung up the phone. Thest stain on my life had been removed, and I felt great. The end The Lies He Told Me 159 Part 7 My husband, Antonio Kaufman, wanted me to participate in Eloise''s clinical trial for a drug she had been working on. She was his first love. After refusing several times, he secretly swapped my medication with the experimental drug used in the trial.. At first, I didn''t notice any changes, nothing was out of ce, but then I started to feel the effects. It turned out the side effects were so severe that I suffered a brain hemorrhage. His first love, Eloise Pitts, couldn''t handle it. So the hospital demanded that Eloise stop her research, and Antonio wast asked to perform a surgery on me, but he decidedly refused. He quickly denied it all, "The brain hemorrhage is due to the patient''s personal condition. Eloise''s experimental drug is irrelevant to this. I''m the patient''s husband and went to the same medical school as Eloise. I remember how Eloise pretended to be my friend when my husband introduced her to me, making me believe she had no interest in him. Over the years, I turned a blind eye to every affectionate gesture they had for each other, and I thought it was only because of their long friendship. Lately, I thought he was being distant with me because I did something wrong, or because he was so busy with work, but the truth was he was with her all the time. "You''re not going to operate on me?" I asked, my face half- paralyzed, reaching out my hand at him. Antonio pped my hand away. "I''ll leave it to Eloise. It will provide the final data for her thesis." His words woke me to the harsh reality- I was just a guinea pig for his beloved Eloise. He secretly swapped my medication with Eloise''s experimental drug. causing my brain hemorrhage. Now he entrusted my life to Eloise, who had never performed proper surgery. He was definitely out of his mind. "If you refuse, you''ll die. You know your life is in danger." Antonio looked at me with cold eyes, unconcerned. I tried to stay calm but failed, tears streaming down my face. My condition was too severe to wait for other doctors. Was I really going to die in the hands of my husband''s first love? Finally, Antonio''s superior persuaded him to operate. Of course, he was not happy about it, but I knew he was going to do everything he could to save me, or else the name of her precious Eloise would be in ruins. As I was wheeled into the operating room, Antonio shot me a wicked smirk. It made me feel like something bad was going to happen. Before the anesthetic took hold, I saw Eloi sway out from behind Antoni She positioned herself as the lead surgeon, and at that moment, pure fear washed over me. I felt like screaming but couldn''t. Then I heard Eloise whisper to me, "Don''t worry. I may not be as skilled as Antonio, but I''ve got this." Following her confident words. I watched as Antonio gently wrapped his arm around her waist and said affectionately, "I trust you." Then I slipped into unconsciousness and had no idea what woulde next. Would I even wake up? I had very strange dreams; I was confused as I could not feel any part of my body, but I could see all around me. Many colors bursted through my eyes, and all I was able to see had no sense but it was full of colors. Was this an effect of the drug I was given to sleep? Or was I dead and this was hell? Nothing made sense anymore, and in between confusion and panic, I also felt sad and angry at my husband. How could he do this to me? It wasn''t until I heard a nurse repeatedly reciting my vital signs and felt someone shaking me that I began to wake up. Someone forcefully opened my eyelids, letting the dazzling white light flood in, and I heard an anxious voice." "I told you Eloise''s incision was wrong. The patient''s pupils are already dted. Antonio, if you don''t stepan, your wife will die on the table." Did I hear that right? I was about to die? I was awake and listening to everything! Almost everyone in the room was urging him. As my condition worsened, they grew more tense. Eloise stared nkly as blood spurted from my body. I could see in her eyes that she was scared, and she did not know how to do this. She then turned to Antonio with a helpless look, and he reassured her. "You got this. I believe in you." The medical team went silent, and they just focused on monitoring my vital signs closely. With that, my husband stepped back, and only supervised from behind. I felt panic, and felt helpless. I couldn''t believe how he did not care about my life at all. After that, lost consciousness again, only that this time, my strange and psychedelic dreams did not Once the surgery was over, I was sent straight to the ICU. The Lies He Told Me 160 My surgery was supposed to provide Eloise with valuable data. However, shortly after the procedure started, I experienced a brief brain. shock due to excessive bleeding. During the emergency, Antonio and Eloise were nowhere to be found. "How can her surgeons just vanish?" a nurse asked anxiously. It was a very on question, I could not see my husband anywhere. "I heard Dr. Pitts needed some data for her paper, so Dr. Kaufman let her operate," one replied. "Abandoning their patient for data? They should just quit," a doctor fumed. Their conversation hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me disoriented and weak. I didn''t know if it was due to my condition or the shock. An intern looked at me and said, "She is in critical condition, but the attending doctors are not here. How are we supposed to proceed?" As they were at a loss, my condition deteriorated. Their faces began to blur, and I could only faintly sense my surroundings, catching fragmented voices. "Dr. Kaufman isn''t answering his phone? What now?" one nurse said. "Neither is Dr. Pitts," another added. Just before Ipletely lost consciousness, I heard the surgical team was ready. It was all thanks to another surgeon with sses stepping in, who swiftly took charge. I faintly heard him say, "Don''t worry. You won''t die." But I wasn''t sure if this was a hallucination due to the anesthesia. Then I was gone for the third time, and this time, I did not remember anything. I did not see colors, I did not feel helpless and anxious. I was simply asleep. Apparently, the surgery didn''t take long. A nurse wheeled me out and woke me up. But the first person I saw when I opened my eyes was Antonio. He paced around the room and then finally looked at me with anger in his eyes. "You lived. Why did you keep having them call us?" Antonio shouted loudly enough for everyone in the hallway to hear. "Can''t you see I just woke up? I did not call you, they did, because you are my husband!" I tried to yell, but my voice was too weak. "I don''t care! Just like I said, you survived! Nos leave us alone!" Antonio scolded me harshly A nurse stepped in. "Dr. Kaufinan, she''s your wife. As a doctor, why weren''t you here when she needed you?" Antonio scoffed, "I''m on my break, and she''s always pretended to be sick. Who knows if she''s faking it now?" With that, he walked out. I was too weak to take care of myself, and my parents weren''t around to help. I was trusting he would be there, like the promise he made when we married, but he just left me behind like that. During my ten-day stay in the ICU, I never saw him again. When I was awake, only a few nurses took turns attending to me. I heard that someone had specifically asked them to switch shifts to do So. The only person who came to mind was Antonio. But they told me it was another doctor. "Where is Antonio?" I asked one of them. She hesitated before saying, "Dr. Kaufman took an extended leave. He Pitts out to rx, thinking she was overly stressed from her doctoral studies." fo I clenched the bedsheets and fell silent. After they left, I stared at the white ceiling, thinking how awful everything had turned out. After my parents divorced and remarried, they had new families and stopped caring about me. Chad finally married the man I loved most, but he didn''t love me back The surgery was sessful, and my life was saved by Eloise. My husband''s first love. The irony was cruel and unrelenting, as if the universe had a twisted sense of humor. Anger and humiliation red in me, hot and sharp, but they couldn''t drown out the grudging gratitude simmering beneath. She had saved my life. I hated her for it and hated myself for feeling indebted. The nurses coaxed me to sit up, to wiggle my toes, to take a sip of water. Each small movement felt monumental, and I hated how weak I was. Now, I was lying in the ICU, too weak to even cry. Each day, a new struggle. Always alone. As the staff prepared to move me out of the ICU dayster, I felt a strange mix of fear and excitement, 1 wasn''t the same person who had §Ö years. I wasn''t sure what came next, but for the first time, I felt ready to find out. I made it through the night. With the help of a nurse, I paid my medical. bills and was transferred to a regr ward the next day. My mind went nk when I saw the staggering amount. Over the years, I had saved very little and simply couldn''t afford it. The Lies He Told Me 161 "Excuse me, I need to make a call." I dialed Antonio''s number, but he hung up before I could say a word. I tried several times, always with the same result. It even checked if my phone was working, and it was, it even had a full battery. Finally, Eloise answered and said, "Antonio is cooking for me right now. If it''s urgent, call backter." Then she hung up. Were they together all this time? Without hesitation I tried to find some money in my purse, I remembered I had some when I was hospitalized. The money wasn''t there. I tried using his card, only to find it deactivated. Desperate, I rummaged through my bag and found the card with 10,000 dors that my parents had given me when I got married. It was originally meant for our future children, the ones we never had. Yes, when we married we had nned to have a big family with many children. We had many dreams that now have been shattered. Having lost all hope in this marriage, I handed the card to the hospital. cashier. A few minutester, I saw the cashier frown, so I asked anxiously, "Is there a problem with the card?" With her head down, she said, ¡°There''s no money left on this card. It says ''No Funds''.¡± "No way!" I blurted out. How was this possible? I never used this card before, so it was not possible to have no funds. The cashier tried tofort me, saying, "Don''t worry, Dr. Kaufman can cover this. Why don''t you wait a bit?" I looked down, feeling utterly helpless. Just then, someone handed over a bank card. "I will take care of it." I turned my head and saw a familiar face- Jarvis yton, my first boyfriend. I had not seen him in years, but I recognized him. He was dressed in a white coat and sses. After paying for me, he left without a word. I was so shocked and surprised that I couldn''t even thank him before he left, which left me with a sense of embarrassment. "You see? All is ok now," the cashier said with kind eyes. My eyes fell on my card, and a sense of urgency propelled me to call a friend at the bank to check. "Hi Grace, how are you feeling? I heard the surgery was a sess!" My friend was so good but had no idea of all that was happening. "Hello, thank you, yes, I am happy to be alive. Can you do me a favor please? Tam about to check out from the hospital and I think my card is not working." I tried to control my shaky voice. "Oh, of course! Give me some minutes and I will get you the info, I already have your data here," he quickly answered and I thanked him. Soon, I got a reply, "Antonio funneled the entire ten thousand to Eloise." Sitting in the ward, I struggled to process the information, feeling a lump in my throat. Back a few days ago, I remembered seeing something on Eloise''s social media ounts. She was unting something new she had gotten from a ''secret admirer." Was that from Antonio? Eloise''s post stung even more. She went out shopping for thetest Hermes bag with Antonio while I couldn''t even afford my medical bills. I was extremely surprised and hurt, so I went through my phone to find the picture and I liked her post out of spite. Soon after Antonio called me out of the blue. "Are you mocking Eloise by liking her post? She bought that Hermes bag with her award money from an experiment. Maybe you can win an award and impress us." Eloise''s sad, choked voice came through, "Antonio, it''s not her fault. She''s from a poor family; she''s probably never seen a Hermes bag before." Antonio, in his haste to console her, left the call open. "You are right, as always, baby. You deserve that and more," he told her. I heard the sound of them kissing and even my cat meowing. Then, the sound from the other end grew louder and clearer, until they stopped with a gasp from her. Eloise finally noticed the shing phone screen. "Don''t overthink itet was just ying with the cat," she said almost as if she knew I was listening. "Why do you care what she thinks?" Antonio snapped before ending the call. I managed to ask, "Did you give my parents'' money to Eloise?" He seemed not to care at all while replying. "Yes, I did. That''s part of our marital assets, and I have the right to spend it." He then cut the call and left mepletely alone. The pain I felt in my heart was ten times more than the one I had felt in my head before the surgery. Everything we had lived for was all a lie. The love and the promises, all of them, fabricated by him. What was I going to do without money and without my husband? I was left all alone. The Lies He Told Me 162 With the exnation finished, Antonio hung up right away. Iy numbly on the hospital bed, thoughts drifting to the surveince. cameras at home. So I checked the video feed, my heart sinking as I saw Eloise and Antonio making out. In their heated passion, they knocked over the camera. Eloise reached to cover the lens, but Antonio stopped her, grinning at it. "Let her watch." As they went explicit, a wave of nausea surged within me. I couldn''t take it any longer. I grabbed my phone and called the police. "Hello, someone has broken into my house and is engaging in suspicious activities." Then, I reached out to awyer I knew to start the divorce process. Throughout our years of marriage, I believed, Antonio and I were truly happy. That bubble burst when his first love, Eloise, started working at his hospital as his intern. His attitude towards me had shifted ever since. He belittled my fashion choices and constantly reminded me that, without a medical background, I could never fully understand him. At that time, I started doubting myself. Now, I saw it wasn''t my fault. Thewyer drafted the divorce papers, and I sent them to Antonio. The memory of nearly losing my life lingered, haunting my thoughts as I drifted into a restless sleep. Before long, I was jolted awake. Despite the throbbing headache, I forced my eyes open and found myself staring into the faces of Antonio and Eloise. Eloise''s cheeks were streaked with tears, and Antonio grabbed my hospital gown, yelling, "What''s wrong with you? Calling the cops on us? You want Eloise and me to go to jail? How could you be so evil?" Antonio yanked me off the bed, ignoring the IV still in my hand. The needle tore out, and blood began to seep. But he acted oblivious and demanded I apologize to Eloise. I stumbled and copsed into someone''s arms. After muttering a feeble apology, I looked up, surprised to see it was Jarvis. "Antonio, are you even a doctor? Your wife just got out of the ICU, and you pulled out her IV," he questioned Antonio. Jarvis called a nurse to reattach the IV and then shoved the stunned pair out of the room. As the door closed, it hit me- Jarvis was the surgeon who saved my life, unmistakable with those sses. I had no idea what was happening outside, but Antonio''s furious shouts cut through the air. "Why are you protecting a stranger? You got a thing for my wife?" There was a scuffle. Then the nurses returned, They whispered to each other, tittering. "I''ve never seen Dr. yton do angry. He knocked Dr. K e ground with one p "What''s the fuss? Dr. yton ended his vacation and sped back when he heard about the emergency. Ho? Shot, rushing over in his looked coat." . I kept my head down, listening. One of them walked over and asked curiously. "Mrs. Kaufman, have you known Dr. yton all along? Why didnt you two talk at hospitare gatherings?" Just as I was fumbling for an answer, Jarvis came in. "She''s my first love. Only a blind woman would choose him over me. I know where the boundary is, so no one gets the wrong idea." As he exined curtly, he checked on me. "Antonio said you want a divorce?" he asked. I nodded. Jarvis nodded back, understandingly. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 163 "Looks like the surgery cleared your head this time," Jarvis said, as mean as ever. I smiled and said nothing. He packed up his things and put a chocte on the table. "Eat it when your condition allows." I watched him, but he didn''t look back. He simply turned and left. As the door closed, I nced at the chocte. Was It the same one I had posted about on social media a few days ago. That day was my birthday, and though I rarely indulged in chocte as a child or an adult, I had a sudden craving. I mentioned it to Antonio several times, but he brushed me off, thinking I was being childish and asking why I couldn''t just buy it myself. Again, he hung up on me. I searched everywhere but couldn''t find the filled chocte I craved. Feeling despondent, I posted on social media, saying I might never find my favorite chocte again, with an old photo of it. Antoniomented below, "Are you done?" Long ago, Eloise sent me a picture of the chocte, asking if it was the one I wanted. I was a bit confused but thrilled and told her it was. She replied, "Antonio bought me this." I cried all night, hurt by Antonio''s words. Even now, thinking about his words made me feel so hurt. Seeing the chocte again, I couldn''t help but smile. I couldn''t enjoy it yet, but I snapped a picture and shared it online. To my surprise, Antonio was the first to like it. He evenmented, "Did some other guy buy you this?" I ignored him. It was the first time in years that I chose not to respond to him. Half an hourter, he started bombarding me with calls and messages. But my phone was on silent while I was undergoing tests. When I finished, Jarvis stopped me. We talked about my condition. Halfway through, Antonio stormed in and angrily pulled me away from Jarvis. "What are you doing? You want a divorce just to run back to your first love? "Have you no shame, flirting with him in our hospital?" Antonio hissed. Jarvis tried to speak, but I stopped him. I pulled out the surveince videos I had been collecting from the hospital. I had nned to show them to the prove here Antonio was, Or begging for an insult. ove our marriage So I yed the videos. The first one showed him and Eloise hugging in the operating room and kissing in a corner of the ward." Other videos were filmed during my Ps, they were flirting even previous hospital stays. While I was kissing by my bedside. MS If I hadn''t seen the footage with my own eyes, I would''ve never believed they dbe so shameless. "So who has no shame now?" asked.. I even looped some of the most disgusting clips. Antonio, furious, tried to take my phone. Iughed. "Where did all that confidence go? I''m just showing everyone how ''pure'' your friendship with Eloise is." The Lies He Told Me 164 "Don''t push it too far," Antonio warned. He was in the wrong, yet he told me not to push it too far. At that moment, I found him both pathetic andughable. "Sign the divorce papers, and these videos won''t make it to court." I said. I saw his eyes widen in disbelief. I couldn''t tell if he was more shocked by my determination to get a divorce or by my threat to release the videos. My situation left me no time to ponder. I rushed to the hospital''s printing station, printed a hard copy of the divorce papers, andid them out in front of Antonio. "Sign it now. Then you can be with her properly," I said. Antonio grabbed my hand. "You know I had a thing with her before. I was weak and made mistakes, but I still love you. I don''t want a divorce. Please, Grace, don''t throw away all these years." I stared into his face, recalling our early marriage days. When Antonio first started at this hospital, we had nothing. He proposed, and without a second thought, I moved from my city to his. At that time, I could tell he genuinely cared about me just by the way he looked at me. But now, all I saw were cold calctions in his eyes. I knew I was right, especially when I noticed the faint love bites left by another woman on his neck. He was just shameless, begging me by bringing up the past. "Antonio, I know better than anyone how you truly feel about me. If you don''t sign today, I''ll file awsuit. This marriage is over for me." Only after finishing speaking did I notice Eloise behind Antonio. With a pitiful expression, she looked at me and said to Antonio, "I''m sorry, Antonio. was being naive. I thought I could stay by your side and love you while your marriage stayed intact. But now your wife wants a divorce. "I didn''t see thising. I''m sorry, I''ll leave." Then she turned to leave, tears streaming, but Antonio held her back firmly. "Fine, let''s divorce! Do you really think you scare me?" Antonio shot back, his voice tinged with resolve. He scrawled his signature on the divorce papers and then dragged Eloise away. Eloise''s face was filled with triumph. A few tears, and she got exactly what she wanted. In the past, would have been devastated, but watching Antonio sign, I felt nothing but relief. Jarvis stood by my side, eyeing the divorce papers in my hand. "Don''t dwell on it. He''s a jerk, not worth your tears," Jarvis said, handing me a tissue despite his words. I took it, blew my nose, and smiled before heading back to the ward. "You sure about this?" he asked. "Absolutely," I replied. I closed the door and had a peaceful sleep, free from the nightmares of being abandoned by someone I loved. The next morning, I received a special notification. It was Eloisabet Cation. It was Eloise et found my love. and also nailed my PhD!" The Lies He Told Me 165 "Ph.D. graduation? Not a chance. "Using the data I risked my life for, how dare you im these honors?" I fumed to myself. When Jarvis came to check on me, I directly asked him how to file aint. After a barrage of questions, he finally asked, "Who do you want to report?" I didn''t give a name and just hinted he''d find out soon enough. After the divorce proceedings, on the day we finalized it, Eloise showed up clinging to Antonio. She had a tiny dog with her and was dressed head- to-toe in designer clothes. They even wore matching outfits. The smug look on her face showed she was reveling in her long- overdue triumph. "Grace, it''s been a month since you left the hospital. Why do you still look so pale?" she asked, her toneced with arrogance. As Eloise reached out to take my hand, my eyes were immediately drawn to the dazzling gold bracelet on her wrist. It looked so familiar. I grabbed her wrist and turned it over. It had my initials engraved on it. It was one of the pieces Antonio gave me when we got married. But before all this happened, the bracelet had gone missing. He scolded me, saying I must have lost it, and told me to search for it. He even berated me over and over when I cried for not being able to find it. Now, I realized he had given it to Eloise. I yanked the bracelet off her wrist. "Do you have a knack for stealing trash or what? He''s a piece of shit. You really want him and his junk jewelry? What''s next, dumpster diving for dinner in my backyard?" Eloise didn''t seem surprised, as if she had known it was mine all along. She brushed my hand aside, picked up the bracelet from the ground, and slowly slid it back on. "Calm down. I get that you can''t have him, so you say these things to destroy him. Honestly, you almost made meugh. "By the way. Antonio and I n to our engagement at my v alion party. I even got a special invitation for... no, I should call you Grace now." She smirked as she broke the news to me. Then she handed me the invitation. The word ''Beloved'' glistened in gold, but to me, it was drenched in irony. Seeing my expression, Eloise thought I was upset. She pulled Antonio in for a kiss and said, "Let''s go, hubby." The word "hubby" made Antonio shudder. He turned to look at me but said nothing, and Eloise dragged him away. I noted the engagement party date and submitted myint letter. If my timing was right, Eloise and Antonio would receive quite a surprise on their engagement day. While waiting. I started looking for new job and changed my ne number. Before discarding my old SIM Card, thest call I received was from Antonio''s mother. I had been taking care of her while she was ill, but I hadn''t visited since my surgery. She sent a message, ordering me to take care of her and her bedridden husband. You haven''te to take care of us in ages. Are you asking for a beating? I told my son a little beating helps. Get your act together ande over. Your job doesn''t matter anyway." I ignored her, got rid of the card, and soon found a decent job thanks to Jarvis''s rmendation at aw firm. My resume was epted almost immediately, and I was to start work the following week. The Lies He Told Me 166 I never imagined that after finishing my onboarding paperwork, I''d see Antonio. He walked in, dressed in ck, wearing a mask, and surrounded by a group of people. The HR worker noticed my fixed gaze on Antonio and whispered, "He''s a huge client." I blurted out, "Him?" The worker nodded. "Looks charming, right? But let me tell you, he''s a monster." That was all the worker said before handing me a pen to sign the papers. Just as I was signing, Antonio''s I wanted to give him more info, but he didn''t let me. In his office, he handed me a huge stack of documents, saying, "Make two copies of all these." I took the stack, clearly marked with Antonio''s name. While copying, I flipped through the documents. It said that since we got married, he had been constantly transferring our joint assets. Consequently, by the" time we divorced, I got almost nothing. Even worse, I found a card under Eloise''s name, used to transfer assets. This card belonged to Antonio. He funneled the money my parents gave me into it before moving it to his own ount. As I copied thest page, I stumbled upon an even more shocking truth. It wasn''t that my parents ignored me all these years. They had both run into trouble and given me part of their money. I was unaware the whole time because Antonio instructed hiswyer to handle everything. I only learned the full story now. And this time, Antonio was here to steal again. Despite appearing to adore Eloise, he meticulously plotted against her. After the copying was done, I went back to the office. I pushed the door open and heard Antonio say just don''t get why these women can''t live without a man. They''re all chasing after me. My ex wife is quite decent, and her parents left a lot, but Eloise won a big prize with a hefty cash award, so I think I should marry her quickly." He was wearing the ring Eloise had shown off on social media a few days ago, but his expression was full of disdain. I recorded everything he said about Eloise before walking away. As I left, his voice echoed behind me, "Honestly, my ex-wife is really dumb, staying with me all those years and leaving with nothing. I parents even took all the money her? feft." Heughed loudly. I felt a mix of disgust and relief. It almost cost my life to see his true colors. Just then, I got the most crucial piece of information. It came along with Eloise''s message, "Grace, you muste!" Ireplied "Yes" and left. The Lies He Told Me 167 On the day of the engagement party, Eloise went all out, decked in designer brands. Her jewelry sparkled, hinting at its hefty price tag. Greeting guests at the entrance, she kept ncing around as if searching for someone. I had just stepped out of a nearby shop when Eloise spotted me. She approached with a bright smile, grabbing my hand. "Grace, I''ve been waiting for you." Then she nced behind me and, with a puzzled look, said, "Grace, what''s up with your taste in men? Found yourself a gross old man? "Oh, Grace, check out this bracelet. Antonio insisted on buying it for me. I''ve told him so many times that we should keep things low- key. You know, he just got divorced and now we''re getting engaged. But he was determined to give me something even fancier." She had unted this bracelet on social media multiple times. I had seen every post but never paid much attention. But now, with her practically waving it in my face, I had to nce at it. "It''s beautiful," I said. Eloise seemed dissatisfied with my reaction and muttered, "Grace, are you upset because Antonio never gave you such things?" I ignored it and reminded her that the ceremony was about to start. After all, this was her party, and many important people, including her mentors, were here. She stopped talking to me and went back to chat with her mentors. Just then, Antonio arrived, presenting Eloise with a brand-new Hermes bag. I turned to the "gross old man", as Eloise called him, and whispered. "Can you tell from here if that bag is real?" He was a luxury goods appraiser. He studied it carefully. "Can''t be sure, but it looks a bit off." I nodded and went inside. From the moment I signed in, I felt eyes on me, especially from those at the hospital. Jarvis noticed me, stood up from his seat nearby, and walked over with a grin. "They were just betting on whether you''d show up.'' "What was your bet?" I asked. Jarvis raised his hand, filled with winnings. I smiled at him. "You know me well." He offered me a seat beside him. Antonio saw this and walked over, g.n¨¦t with feigned concern. ¡°Feeling answered, "Much better. better?" for asking." "Rx. We''re still friends even after the divorce, he suggested. I put on a smile and said, "I prefer to keep my circle drama-free, but thank you for the thought, Mr. Kaufman." My words annoyed him, and he raised his voice, saying, "You''re not still hung up on me, are you?" "I was told people can''t be friends in that case." I found him shameless. Then Jarvis chimed in, "If that''s true, she must be hung up on me, right?" I almost burst outughing. Defeated, Antonio muttered some nonsense and walked away. Before the ceremony started, they yed a video of Eloise receiving an award, using data from my surgery. As the video ended, Eloise''s face went nk. She probably needed a moment to grasp that Antonio, who had been helping her with her papers and awards, wasn''t talented-he O giarized others'' papers. The credit didn''t really belong to her, since the data was obtained illegally, making her papers invalid. I had already called the police. Eloise and Antonio both looked at me. "It''s her! She made this fake video because she''s bitter and jealous and wants to ruin me!" Antonio shouted. I stood up, smiling. "Yes, it''s me, but the video is real, you fakers." With that, I yed the recording The Lies He Told Me 168 Antonio''s voice from the recording was loud enough for everyone to hear. "Honestly, I bought some top- notch knockoffs for Eloise. Never imagined she''d be so eager to spend money on me. "Not everything was fake, though. I yed it smart, mixing in some real stuff to avoid getting caught. Once she''d shown them off, I''d swap the real ones for fakes and sell them. Never lost a dime." I figured Eloise would recognize that voice. She started eyeing the Hermes bag. Just as she walked over, her Ph.D. advisor''s wife said, "The one in your hand is fake. The new collection isn''t even out yet. How could he have bought it?" Her gaze then shifted to Eloise''s face. While the others stood dumbfounded, she pped Eloise hard across the face. She then switched the video, showing Eloise making out with the Ph.D. advisor. Eloise was utterly devastated, and so was Antonio. Antonio kept saying that everything he had bought Eloise was real. I stepped in, followed by the top- tier appraiser, well-known among thedies who had purchased luxury items. I snatched the bag from Eloise and handed it to the appraiser. After examining it, he dered, "Just a nice knockoff." Antonio shot back, "The store clerk tricked me. I was just a victim." I smiled and nodded, then grabbed Eloise''s hand and showed the bracelet. I scratched it hard, and the color came off. Another blow to Eloise. As she cried and asked why, the police arrived. I stood by, watching. She was in a daze, seemingly unaware that using me for experiments without my permission was illegal. Antonio backed down and hid, thinking it had nothing to do with him. When he saw the handcuffs on his wrists, he screamed. Iughed and said, "You''re an aplice. Did you think you could get away with it?" Antonio nearly roared at me, trying to hit me, but Jarvis, standing beside me, pushed him away. The police took Antonio and Eloise away. Thanks to my solid evidence, both were sentenced. What a wonderful party! After this, I took Jarvis out for a good meal.. As we left the restaurant, Jarvis looked at me and asked, "If I tried to win you over again, would you say yes?" I teased, "I''m not sure. Try and we''ll find out." Jarvis smiled and said he''d try his best. Over the next few years, I did well at thew firm. On my 30th birthday. Antonio was released from prison. He showed up, a shadow of his former self, hoping to patch things up. But it was toote. Jarvis and I had been married for a year. Antonio ended up with nothing. I had filedwsuits to investigate all his assets, which were now frozen. Desperate, he could only turn to Eloise. Ironically, the first case I took as awyer was apensation im after their tragic double suicide. It didn''t bring me joy, but rather a somber satisfaction knowing they got what they deserved. When Antonio''s mother came begging me, I sent her away with a Fife firm, "Business is business." My! got better after leaving that jerk behind. This was the ultimate self-redemption. Grace Parrish''s son and her husband were both smitten with the same. woman. Grace stepped into the study after her shower, still stuck in this realization, bathed in light. Antonio Kaufman, her husband, was buried in paperwork. He nced up, a frown on his face. "What''s up?" Grace paused, standing still a few paces away, and gently asked. "Tomorrow is Omar''s birthday. Will you be here for him?" "I''ve invited Ms. Jermyn, and she wille," Grace said without waiting for an answer. That was the only time Antonio''s head snapped up, at the mention of Kendra Jermyn. Grace caught his reaction, and it struck her heart, leaving a dull ache. She forced a smile, trying to sound casual. "I''ve got three surgeries lined up tomorrow, so I won''t make it back. You guys have a great time...." Omar, their son, adored Kendra, even calling her ''mommy''. "What do you mean?" Antonio asked with a frown. Grace simply wanted to make her son and her husband happy. She''d alreadynded a prestigious overseas exchange at the hospital, ready to hand over her role as wife and mother to Kendra. Antonio would finally have his dream wife, and Omar would have the mother he''d always wanted. She didn''t have a chance to exin when a little voice called out from behind "Mommy, are you noting back tomorrow? What about my birthday gift?" fo Grace turned around and saw Omar there. The five-year- old Omar couldn''t hide his excitement. It was written all over his face. Grace smiled, her heart no longer heavy with sorrow over the situation. Grace gently ruffled Omar''s hair, her voice steady. "I''ll give you some money so you can get whatever you want." For Omar''s birthdayst year, Grace bought him a Lego set he was crazy about. He painstakingly put it together, only to give it to Kendra, trying to make her happy. This year, Grace opted for a different approach. She would just give him money. With that, she decided to leave, not lingering on Omar''s disappointed expression. Instead, she looked at Antonio and forced a smile. "Goodnight." She turned and retreated to her room. Grace''s heart had been tied to Antonio for years. Six years ago et had only been a fling, but that little romance bloomed into something else that led them to have Omar. Antonio married her because of Omar, but his heart? It had always been The Lies He Told Me 169 Grace Parrishs son and her husband were both smitten with the same Woman. Grace stepped into the study after her shower, still stuck in this realization, bathed in light. Antonio Kaufman, her husband, was buried in paperwork. He nced up, a frown on his face. Whats up? Grace paused, standing still a few paces away, and gently asked, Tomorrow is Omars birthday. Will you be here for him? Ive invited Ms. Jermyn, and she wille, Grace said without waiting for an answer. That was the only time Antonios head snapped up, at the mention of Kendra Jermyn. Grace caught his reaction, and it struck her heart, leaving a dull ache. She forced a smile, trying to sound casual. I''ve got three surgeries lined up tomorrow, so I wont make it back. You guys have a great time .... Omar, their son, adored Kendra, even calling her mommy. What do you mean? Antonio asked with a frown. Grace simply wanted to make her son and her husband happy. Shed alreadynded a prestigious overseas exchange at the hospital, ready to hand over her role as wife and mother to Kendra. Antonio would finally have his dream wife, and Omar would have the mother hed always wanted She didnt have a chance to exin when a little voice called out from behind. Mommy, are you noting back tomorrow? What about my birthday gift? Grace turned around and saw Omar there. The five year old Omar couldnt hide his excitement. It was written all over his face. Grace smiled, her heart no longer heavy with sorrow over the situation. . . Grace gently ruffled Omars hair, her voice steady. Ill give you some money so you can get whatever you want. 11 For Omars birthdayst year, Grace bought him a Lego set he was crazy about He painstakingly put it together, only to give it to Kendra, trying to make her happy This year, Grace opted for a different approach. She would just give him. money. With that, she decided to leave, not lingering on Omars disappointed expression. Instead, she looked at Antonio and forced a smile. Goodnight. She turned and retreated to her room. Graces heart had been tied to Antonio for years. Six years ago, it had only been a fling, but that little romance bloomed into something else that led them to have Omar. Antonio married her because of Omar, but his heart? It had always been with Kendra, the one who held a special ce in his heart. Omar seemed to feel this too, like he knew that Grace wasn''t supposed to be his mother. But Kendra was. Grace took a deep breath. She was nning to leave this city soon anyway. Antonio and Omar would be with Kendra, living the life they were meant to. Omar''s birthday came, and Grace was fresh out of surgery when her phone rang with a call from Omar. "Mommy, when are youing home?" he asked, his innocent little voice making her heart feel heavy. "I want to cut the cake with you." It had been ages since Omar had been this sweet to her. Back then, when Antonio gave her the cold shoulder, Omar was there, wrapping her up in warmth andfort. "I don''t like Daddy anymore! Mommy, don''t be sad. When I grow up, I''ll take care of you!" Grace''s heart softened at the thought of this. She decided to head home after making sure everything was alright at the hospital. Back home, one of the maids saw her and was taken aback. "Mrs. Kaufman, I thought you weren''ting back...." The maid''s shocked face made Grace''s heart sink. Before she could say anything,ughter filled the air,ing from the living room. "Since you''ve been such a good boy, I made this cake for you, Omar. Your dad wanted me to.." ove you so much, mommy Kendra!" From the doorway, Grace saw Omar hugging Kendra, acting all cute and cuddly. Antonio was there too, watching them with a loving gaze. They looked like a perfect family. Grace stood there, feeling out of ce, like she''d walked into the wrong house. Kendra was the first one who saw her. Her grin faded fast as she awkwardly pushed Omar away. veli "Hey, Grace. I''m sorry you had to see that. I hope you know it''s just harmless banter. It''s Omar''so birthday!" That''s when Omar and Antonio noticed that Grace was there. Antonio''s face soured when he saw her. "I thought you had surgery and weren''ting home?¡± "I''m sorry," Omar whispered with guilt. "Mommy Kendra told me to call her so she could be here when I cut the cake" It dawned on Grace that Omar had called her back at Kendra''s request. She gazed at the half-eaten cake on the table, topped with strawberries, and asked Antonio, "Did you ask Ms. to make this strawberry cake?" Antonio was the one who answered her. "Omar really enjoys the cakes Kendra bakes" Grace stood frozen, her eyes brimming with tears that she struggled to contain. But she yed it cool. "I''m just here to have some rest. No big deal. Just go ahead." She then started to make her way upstairs. Kendra, with a hint of uncertainty, two pieces of cake left. Wouldeet Out to her, "Grace, there like to join us?" Grace froze, cringing at thedy-of-the-house tone. She responded with a simple shake of her head. "I''m allergic to strawberries." Antonio, who was sitting on the couch, paled upon hearing this. It hit him that he''d forgotten about Grace''s allergy to strawberries. Tired after a long day, Grace went to her room to change into morefy clothes. That was when Russell Kaufman called her. The Lies He Told Me 170 "Hello, Grace,¡± Russell said through the phone. "I know that it''s Omar''s birthday, so I got him a gift." Startled, Grace was about to respond when Russell abruptly ended the call. Almost immediately, noise erupted downstairs. Grace flinched and rushed downstairs. But the scene she found pinned her in her ce. It was Russell, his face flushed with anger, swinging his cane mercilessly at Antonio. "How many times have I told you? You''ve married Grace! Why are you still involved with this woman?" Kendra was on her knees, pleading. "Grandpa Russell, I came on my own. Please don''t hit Antonio!" Antonio stayed silent, but his gaze toward Grace grew colder. Back then, Grace would have rushed to Antonio''s defense, her heart aching. But now, she watched the scene with a calm detachment, her heart steady, even though she was concerned for Russell. Suddenly, Omar broke free from the maid''s grip, stormed over, and shoved Grace with all his might, pummeling her. "You did this!" he yelled, " told Grandpa that mommy Kendra was told Grandpa that here and now he''s hitting daddy! You ruined my birthday!" Grace stumbled and fell down the stairs. "Omar, be a good boy," Russell snapped at him. "Stay away from that woman. Your mother is Grace and not Kendra. Stop calling her that." "If Omar wants to call Kendra Mommy, let him," Antonio said coldly. "No!" Russell barked at him. "He will call his mother that. He will reserve nothing for that woman!" Grace, not wanting to ruffle Russell''s feathers, lightly ced a hand on his arm and spoke gently. "Grandpa, it''s okay. Omar can call anyone Mommy if he wants to. It doesn''t bother me. And Ms. Jermyn is a gue Russell looked at Grace, his eyes filled with confusion. He sighed deeply, and the weight of that sound pressed inside the room. Grace guided Russell to sit, her voice soothing. "Today is Omar''s birthday. Let''s not let this ruin it. Let''s go eat." As they ate, Antonio, perhaps feeling a pang of guilt, made an effort to serve Grace. Russell nced at Kendra before deliberately addressing Grace and Antonio. "Both of you are still young. Are you not considering having another child?" Grace was caught off guard, her mind racing. The only time Antonio and Grace had sex was the night they conceived Omar. After that, there was nothing. With her ns to leave, another child was thest thing on her mind. Before Antonio could say anything, Grace whispered, ¡°Grandpa, Antonio Chapter 157 and I are happy with just one child." Antonio''s eyes flickered with surprise, a silent question hanging in the air. It was a topic Grace had never brought up before. Grace didn''t even look at Antonio. She made sure Russell had his meal and then walked him out. The next day, she busied herself with the work she had taken to the hospital with her. She was buried in paperwork for her trip overseas when a buzz in hallway caught her attentio her lunch break. "Wow, that guy''s a total hottie!" "Who is that guy? And is that his kid? I''m curious, who''s the lucky mom of such a cute little boy?" Grace thought they would be heading for her. But no, they headed straight to Kendra. Omar threw his arms around Kendra, grinning. "Mommy Kendra! I miss you so much!" Antonio, not usually one for smiles, had a slight grin as he offered his congions. "d to found a job you''re really his et you''ve into." The crowd watched, impressed. "Can''t believe the new Dr. Jermyn a handsome husband and has such a cute son. She''s really hit the jackpot." t "Can''t agree more. I''m so jealous right now!" Antonio had kept his rtionship with Grace under wraps, and that''s why no one really knew who she was. Back then, she would have cried about this. But now, she just looked away. What Grace didn''t see was Antonio finally catching sight of her, his face. shing with unease. The Lies He Told Me 171 Antonio was about to say something when a loud voice cut through the air. "Dr. Parrish!" someone cried, snapping everyone back to their senses. "We''ve just taken in an old man with a heart problem in the ER. He needs surgery right now!" Grace followed, having a bad feeling about it. Her eyes widened in disbelief when she finally saw the patient. "Grandpa?" Russell was fine as a fiddle yesterday, so how could he have a heart attack today? Antonio wasn''t his usual cool self at that moment. Omar was scared out of his wits, sobbing. "You have to save Grandpa!" Grace didn''t waste any time and hurried into the operating room. She had always been Russell''s doctor, and this time was no different. She led the surgery, which took almost seven hours. When Grace came out of the operating room, she was so weak that she could barely stand, her face as white as a sheet. She pulled herself together and followed Russell''s stretcher to the ward. "He''s stable now," she reassured Antonio and Omar "Why did you trigger his heart condition again?" Antonio demanded all of a sudden. Grace''s face went nk. "What did I do? Why are you ming me? I''m just as shocked to see him here as you are!" Antonio tossed Russell''s phone at her. "The evidence is right here. What else is there to argue about?" Grace nced down and saw a text she''d sent that morning on the phone''s screen. "Grandpa. I''m going to divorce Antonio," the message said, repeated loudly by Antonio. The ward fell dead silent. Grace stared at the text. She nced at Omar, who was hiding his head and fiddling with his fingers. Realization suddenly dawned on her. He had been ying with her phone earlier. Sensing Grace''s gaze, he quickly hid behind Antonio. Grace stamped down her anger and asked calmly, "Omar, why''d you send that text?" "Wow." Antonio said in disbelief, pulling Omar close to him. "Since when did you start ming a kid for your own mistakes?" Grace heard the disappointment in his voice but found it hrious. "Do you think I''m ming him?" asked. "Look at him. Look at how he''s ing. He''s embarrowed because he knows that he did this." Antonio narrowed his eyes. "You''re delusional.". Before Grace could respond, Omar suddenly started crying. His face as he juan do and as a mix of guilt and f "I didn''t know set that text would make Ge wanted Mom and Dad to get a divorce so mommy Kendra could be my mom." Grace felt numb. This wasn''t the first time something like this had happened. After a moment, Grace gently stroked Omar''s hair. "Don''t worry. I won''t make you wait so long." "You''re Omar''s mom." Antonio said reproachfully. "You don''t have to be so hard on him." Grace offered a faint grin. "Your father almost died because of a text that Omar sent. And telling him offis too hard on him? Come on now, Antonio. He deserves more than a p on the wrist but I''m letting him off the hook." Antonio hesitated, his eyes flickering with a twinge of guilt. At that moment, Russell, who''d been lying in the hospital bed, stirred awake. He surveyed the room and then exhaled in relief. "Grace." Grace promptly moved closer. "Yes?" Antonio didn''t say anything more and just moved closer to the bedside. Omar was clutching Russell''s hand while brushing away his tears. Russell tenderly ruffled Omar''s hair, but his eyes were on Grace. "Grace, Omar needs you. Don''t divorce Antonio. Will you promise me that?" Grace''s throat constricted, and after a brief struggle, she croaked out, "I''ll take care of it. You get some rest." With that, she made up an excuse and left. She couldn''t bring herself to lie to Russell or swear off the divorce. Grace had always been the one calling the shots in her life. Why would she stop now? The Lies He Told Me 172 The day Russell was discharged from the hospital, Grace was there to pick him up. Russell asked with a smile, "Where are Antonio and Omar?" Grace checked her watch and replied, "Omar''s at kindergarten. It''s Friday today, so Antonio is also busy with work." Russell''s face fell at her words. He suggested, "Why not call Antonio to join us for a family meal?" Not wanting to spoil Russell''s mood, Grace decided to take a day off and headed to the Kaufman Group for Antonio. It brought back memories of her previous visits to Antonio''s workce. when she always got a cold shoulder. It got so bad that he finally lost his patience and gave her a warning. At the lobby, the receptionist greeted her warmly, "Ma''am, how may I help you?" Grace gathered herself and said with a smile, "I''m here to see Antonio." The receptionist guided her to an office and then excused herself. As Grace neared the door, she was about to knock when she heard Kendra''s sobs from within. Soon after, Antonio''s soft and considerate voice sounded. "Kendra, I''ll step up once the baby arrives." Grace stood outside, her heart feeling like it was frozen. Just then, the office door swung open. Antonio caught Grace''s gaze, surprise fleeting across his face before it settled into indifference. "I believe I made it clear that you''re not to visit mypany." Grace shot back, ¡°If I hadn''t shown up, how long would you have kept this a secret?¡± Antonio''s eyes were downcast, and he didn''t say a word. Kendra, with a look that could melt hearts, added, "Grace, please don''t be angry with Antonio. It''s all my fault." Grace, in an oddly calm voice, asked, "Is the baby she''s expecting yours?" Antonio''s silence spoke volumes. For Grace, his silence was as good as a confession. She''d assumed his distance over the past six years was due to his demanding job. She never thought that he would have a baby with another woman. With a chill in her voice, Grace said, "Congrattions. I''ll dly step aside and let Ms. Jermyn take my ce." Antonio and Kendra both looked taken aback. But Grace just turned and walked away, not even ncing back. As soon as Grace got back to the Kaufman''s ce, Antonio wasn''t far behind. His face was as cold as ever, and he whispered a warning beside her, "Grandpa''s still getting better. Watch what you say." Grace felt disgusted and chose to ignore him. Omar came running over, and when he saw just the two of them, he pouted. "Dad, isn''t Kendra part of our family too? Why can''t shee to our family meal?" The more Omar grew, the more he looked like Antonio, even down to the way he could make her feel awkward. But Grace only Russell''s face soured and he hit the floor with his crutch. "Omar, say sorry to your mom! We''re done talking about that woman in this house!" Omar stuck out his lower lip, not about to budge. Exasperated, he yelled at Grace, "I don''t want her to be my mom!" Then he stormed off to his room, skipping dinner. Grace was taken aback, but then sheposed herself and said, "We''ll have someone bring his food upter. Let''s eat without him." Antonio shot her a look, as if ming her for being heartless toward her ow She knew, though, that Omar wouldn''t wee her concern. The meal was a quick, ufortable affair. That afternoon, when Grace got to the hospital, she found nurses fluttering around Kendra. Cad of "Congrattions, Dr. Jermyn, with a handsome husband and a cute son, and now you''re expecting your second child!" At the words, Grace paused in her tracks. As she was about to walk away, Kendra called out, "Grace, I can''t handle this morning sickness. What can I do?" Her words made the colleagues realize something was off. Kendra, a doctor herself, should know what to do. But they didn''t dwell on it and made their exit. It was just the two of them now. Kendra pulled out her phone and approached Grace with a grin. "If it were me, I would have left with dignity by now. Antonio cooks for me every day," she said, showing off her phone to Grace. The man who was against killing cooked for Kendra, again and again. Seeing the smug look on Kendra''s face, Grace felt a stab of sorrow. "Antonio would''ve shown you the respect you deserve if he really loved you. You wouldn''t have had to y dirty to get where you are." Kendra''s face twisted at the words. "Stop it! Antonio never loved you, and you''re not in a position to judge me!" Grace kept her cool, her inner world utterly undisturbed. She''d always known that Antonio''s heart wasn''t hers. But now, she was past needing it. Without another word, Grace walked away. Alone in her office, she couldn''t keep the emotions at bay. All that yed in her head were images of Antonio in an apron, cooking dishes in the pan, and spooning food into Kendra''s mouth. She realized that no matter how much she valued Russell''s opinion, her marriage was a lost cause. After a moment of contemtion, Grace pulled out her phone and texted Antonio: "Let''s talk." Her text disappeared into the void. Nearby, a couple of doctors were gossiping. "Have you heard? The new director''s spot has been taken," one said. "Who got it?" the other asked. Grace''s heart skipped a beat, and she found herself ncing over. That doctor whispered, "It''s that neer, Dr. Jermyn!" Grace''s breath caught, her fingers clenching her phone. If she wasn''t going to get the director''s job, there was no way it would go to Kendra, a neer who was still getting the hang of things Grace suddenly stood up and called out to the two doctors who were passing by, "Who is the new director?" They got along with Grace, so they felt a pang of sympathy. "Dr. Parrish, you''re young. There will be other chances. After all, no one canpete with Kendra." "That''s right. The guy who was herest time is the top shareholder of our hospital. He''s from the Parrish family!" A wave of destion washed over Grace. She entrusted her assets to Antonio for safekeeping, but he ended up using them to unconditionally support Kendra! Not far away, Kendra was the center of attention, preening with pride. "Dr. Jermyn, you are really living the dream!" "Let''s call her director from now on!" Kendra shed a smug smile at Grace, casually cing her hand on her barely- there baby bump, still concealed beneath her clothes. Gathering herself, Grace retreated to her office to call Antonio. After a bit, Antonio picked up. "What''s up?" Grace didn''t beat around the bush. "Why are you using the Parrish family''s influence to help Kendra?" Antonio paused and then replied nonchntly, "You''re my wife in name only. Does it really matter if you''re the director or not?" Anger red in Grace. Antonio''s dismissive words turned all her hard work into a joke. Without another word, she ended the call and set about retrieving her pre- nuptial property. As the evening approached, Grace headed back to the Kaufman''s ce. She found Omar drawing at the table. He bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, a picture of tranquility. She paused and then walked over. She was taken aback when she saw the drawing. Omar had sketched a family portrait, but the woman''s name was Kendra! A cold shiver ran through Grace, and she couldn''t resist asking, "Why do you like Kendra so much? You used to love me the most." Omar held onto his drawing, meeting Grace''s gaze with a challenge. "I didn''t know you were like this before! Everyone says you tricked Dad into having a baby with you and that''s why I exist!" The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 173 "Kendra is the best person in the world! If it hadn''t been for you, I would have been her kid!" Grace met Omar''s gaze. Since he believed Kendra should be his mom, Grace decided to step aside. That afternoon, Grace then threw herself into reiming her properties and preparing for the divorce. But that night, she got a call from Victor Conner, the hospital director. "A massive 7.0 earthquake hit Cloudview Town, with over 200 casualties. We''re sending a rescue team. Are you in?" asked Victor. "I am," Grace replied without a beat. As a doctor, saving lives was her calling. Victor let out a sigh of relief. "We''ll depart at dawn. Be ready." Grace murmured her agreement. She hung up, got up, and left the room. She needed to talk to Antonio about the divorce before she left, so she could head straight to the courthouse upon her return. The hallway was dark. with a sliver of light from Antonio''s office. Why was Antonio still at work sote? Antonio had forbidden Grace from entering his office. She had always respected that, never bugging him at work. But then, Grace heard moaning from his office. "Antonio, slow down. I can''t take it." Grace''s heart pounded as she swung the door open to find Kendra, in a white dress, straddling Antonio, her face flushed. The door thudded against the wall. Antonio''s hands on Kendra''s waist trembled, his eyes still hazy with desire, which turned to shock and panic at the sight of Grace. Kendra yelped, jumping up in a flurry. Her sudden move caused the beaded bracelet, glistening with moisture, to tumble out from under her skirt! Grace''s stomach churned at the sight. She never thought Antonio, so pious, would make out with Kendra in her off- limits office. Suppressing her nausea, she forced out, "My bad. Carry on." "Dad, Kendra, what''s going on?" As Grace turned, she saw Omar, who had appeared in the doorway, rubbing his eyes in confusion. She paused, realizing how inappropriate it was for a little kid to witness that kind of thing. She was just about to tell him to leave when Omar caught sight of her. His face instantly twisted into a look of disgust. He ran to Kendra, pleading, "Kendra, can you tell me a story?" As he spoke, he threw a disdainful look at Grace. Kendra smiled at him, "Sure, Omar. Go to bed. Your dad and I will finish up here and then I''lle to tell you a story, okay?" Grace got the message and walked away without a backward nce. The next day at the crack of dawn, she was on a bus to Cloudview Town. During the ride, she texted Antonio: "Heading to Cloudview Town for the rescue Divorce papers are on your desk, signed. Make sure you sign too She powered off her phone. The whole thing just made her feel sick. Cloudview Town was a mess after the quake, with countless injuries and a death toll that kept rising Grace and her team dived straight into the rescue efforts, barely looking up as the hours flew by. As dusk settled in, she suddenly heard a familiar, young voice. "Dad, Kendra, this ce is so horrible." Grace froze and spun around. She was surprised to see Antonio with Omar in one arm and shielding Kendra with the other, all three of them at the relief site. They must havee along to keep Kendrapany. Grace gave them a quick once- over and then went back to her work. But Kendra wasn''t having it, calling out, "Grace!¡± In the next second, they made their way over. Antonio''s look as dark and fierce as a storm cloud. Grace shot them a nce, her attention brieflynding on Omar''s face. "Why do you bring Omar here? It''s dangerous here.¡± Grace was through with Antonio and Kendra''s drama. She was out. Yet, Grace couldn''t just stand by and watch a kid be brought into the relief site, no matter whose child it was. She''d speak up. Antonio seemed to get her wrong. "Omar''s got his own mind. Even if you''re his mom, you can''t push him around." Omar snorted, "Don''t tter yourself. Dad and I are here to help Kendra with the rescue. I''m not leaving!" Kendra chimed in, trying to ease the tension, "Grace, Antonio and Omar will stay clear of the danger zone. They''ll be fine. Don''t worry." Grace looked at them, nodded, and managed to say, "Alright." As she turned to go, a frantic shout cut through the air. "Dr. Parrish, Dr. Jermyn, we need you now!" Grace''s heart raced, and she quickly walked away, not sparing them another nce. The light drizzle made the rescue efforts move at a snail''s pace. Grace saw Kendra on the side, looking way too at ease. Before she could get Kendra to act together, a warning cry cut through the air. "Aftershocks areing! Run!" The ground started shaking violently again, cracks appearing in the walls. Panic spread as everyone scrambled to get away. Before Grace could react, she was buried under the rubble along with Kendra! The Lies He Told Me 174 With the aftershocks finally over, a heavy silence set in. "Help me!" Grace was buried under the wreckage and surrounded by darkness. Her breaths were getting shallower. Lost in time, she was jolted back to reality by a child''s cry. "Kendra! I want Kendra!" She came to with a start, shouting as loud as she could, ''We''re here... Please help!" Her shouts drew the rescue team, who rushed to their location. They started clearing the rubble, and a thin ray of light pierced the darkness. A glimmer of hope sparked in Grace''s chest, but it was dashed when she heard the rescuers. "Mr. Kaufman, Dr. Parrish and Dr. Jermyn are trapped under the same b. If we lift one side, the other will crush th Omar choked with tears, "Save Kendra! I need Kendra!" Omar''s plea stabbed Grace''s heart. For a moment, she felt everything slipping away. Her own child had picked someone else over her in a time of crisis. Antonio''s response was slow ining. The rescuers'' urgency grew. "Mr. Kaufman, we can''t wait! If another tremor hits, we''ll lose them both!" It was then that Antonio''s voice cut through the tension, cold and firm, "Save Dr. Jermyn." Grace''s world darkened as she closed her eyes, giving in to despair. The rescuers focused on lifting the b to reach Kendra. The b shifted, crushing Grace with brutal force, worsening her injuries. Blood silently escaped her lips as her vision blurred. Just before the darkness took her, she heard Omar''s sobs. "Kendra. I thought I''d lost you forever. Promise me you''ll never leave me again!" Grace, exhausted, shut her eyes, and darkness took her in. When Grace opened her eyes again, she was back in Drr Hospital. Russell, noticing her awake, hurriedly summoned a doctor. The doctor checked her over and reassured them, "She''s in stable condition. A few more days here, and she''ll be on the mend." Grace observed Russell, who appeared to have aged years in just a few days, by her bedside. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Russell''s eyes flickered with guilt as he said, "Grace, you''ve been through so much. Get some rest and don''t worry about anything." Grace closed her eyes, offering no response. Even if Russell didn''t voice it, she knew he''d figured it out. That was probably a good thing. When she recovered, it would be time to go abroad. Days passed in a blur. Grace handled the discharge process and approached Kendra''s ward for the first time. Antonio and Omar were there, just as she expected. Antonio''s expression shifted when he saw Grace. "Why are you here?" Perhaps the caution in his tone was too evident. Antonio paused, as if he was choosing his words carefully. "How''s your injury?" Grace offered a wry grin. "I''m tough. I won''t go down that easily." Omar stood by Kendra''s bedside, arms opened, giving Grace a look that made it clear she wasn''t wanted. "What are you doing here? You can''t hurt Kendra!" Grace felt a fire burning in her chest. Given her condition, shecked the strength to start a fight, let alone hurt Kendra. Besides, they guarded Kendra fiercely. Grace got straight to the point with Antonio, "When can we head to the courthouse and wrap up this divorce? "I''ll take what''s mine, and everything else, including the kid, is all yours she said, her tone firm. Antonio''s face clouded over, and he paused before asking, "Are you serious, Grace?" Grace shot him a puzzled nce and questioned, "Do I look like I''m joking?" She added, "You can marry anyone you like, and Omar can choose his own mom. It has nothing to do with me." Omar''s eyes widened in surprise, tears starting to form. Right then he balled his fists, yelling in a fit of anger, "You don''t want me, and I don''t want you either! I want Kendra to be my mom!" With that. he made a point of rushing ove and clinging to Kendra. Kendra masked her happiness, feigning concern as she said, "Grace, you shouldn''t talk about divorce so lightly." "Don''t misunderstand," Grace rified, "I''ve always been fine with Antonio and Omaring to see you. It''s just..." Antonio cut in, "Grace, I didn''t go to see you because..." Grace stopped him right there, not in the mood for his excuses. "Does it even matter? I handed you the divorce papers before I left for the rescue mission. Your visits don''t change a thing." At her attitude, Chapter 157 Antonio''s eyes chilled, as if his gaze could freeze. His anger was palpable, and he nodded curtly. "Alright, don''t me me if you regret this!" Grace frowned, puzzled by his sudden outburst. Antonio didn''t waste any time, taking her back to their home. He swiftly signed the divorce papers, gathered the required documents, and they made their way to the courthouse to finalize their split. As they walked out, Grace felt a surprising wave of relief wash over her. s?novel Their five- year marriage had seen the love she once had for Antonio dwindle away. Antonio stood there, a few paces away, seemingly expecting her to change her mind. Instead, Grace nced at the beaded bracelet on his wrist, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Hands carry a lot of germs. Remember to clean them." Antonio got it instantly, his body stiffening as he began, "I..." But Grace just left without turning back. As he watched her leave, an unfamiliar sensation stirred in his chest. He felt an urge to call out to Grace, but his phone rang, interrupting the moment. Kendra''s soft voice floated through the receiver. ¡°Antonio, Omar is asking if you can take him out for a meal. Can we go together?" Antonio wavered for a moment and then got in his car. He was confident that Grace would back down within a week. Meanwhile, Grace returned to the Kaufman''s ce, packed up, and cleared out everything that was connected to her. With her suitcase in hand, she boarded a ne heading overseas. The Lies He Told Me 175 As the view of Drr City faded into the distance, Grace closed her eyes, feeling no attachment left behind. In the blink of an eye, another summer had arrived. It had been six years since she''d left, and now Grace was back, holding hands with a cute little boy. Colin Floyd gazed at the vast airport of Prr City, his little head filled with curiosity. "Mom, who are you here to treat in Drr City?" Colin asked. In the six years since she''d been gone, Grace had married and now had a four- year-old son. She pinched Colin''s chubby cheeks and smiled, "An old friend of mine..." Colin, a bit confused, held Grace''s hand tightly. His eyes were filled with curiosity at everything he saw. As they walked, Colin suddenly pointed at someone in surprise, "Mom, that boy looks just like you!" Grace paused, and she heard two voices, familiar yet strange, calling out. "Grace!" "Mom!" Grace''s heart skipped a beat, and she turned her head around to see Antonio walking toward her with a teenager. It had been six years, and Antonio seemed to have lost his piety, no beaded bracelet in hand. Omar had grown into an eleven-year- old boy, almost unrecognizable to her. Everything seemed to have changed, yet it also remained the same. Colin tugged at Grace''s hand, looking puzzled. "Mom, what''s wrong?" Grace stared at them, briefly lost in a daze, and then shook herself back to the present. She looked down at Colin, and the difort in her chest faded. "Colin, it''s nothing. Let''s go." Colin''s spirits lifted, and he looked up with a grin. "Mom, are you hungry? My tummy is telling me it''s hungry." Grace''s heart melted at Colin''s cute stunts. She picked him up and yfully scratched his nose. "I''ll get you a nice meal." "Hold on!" Just as they were about to leave, Omar''s frowning face popped up. With a frown, Grace took a step back, keeping Colin close to her. "What are you doing?" Omar''s eyes bulged, pointing an using finger at Colin. "Who''s this little troublemaker?" Colin hugged Grace, making faces at Omar. "You bad guy! You can''t talk to my mom that way!" Grace quicklyforted Colin with a kiss on the cheek. "It''s alright, Colin." Colin''s smile came back, but he shot a defiant look at Omar. Omar was seething, unustomed to such treatment from Grace. Antonio''s voice,ced with restrained fury, cut through the tension. "Grace, who is this child?" he grilled her. Grace was caught off guard, ouessing her decision to return today. But Colin piped up, defending Grace, "I''m Mommy''s boy. Who are you? You''re not as cool as my dad." Grace was taken aback by Colin''s articte defense. Then, in an instant, Colin''s tears started flowing. Omar had Colin''s arm in a pinch, his teeth clenched as he spoke through gritted teeth, "Listen up, boy. She''s my mom, not yours!" Grace''s heart ached. She pushed Omar away and snapped, "Don''t hurt my son!" Omar reeled from the push, his eyes brimming with shock and tears. He''d never expected Grace, who''d always been so affectionate, to act like this. But Grace was focused on Colin, lifting his sleeve to show a bruised arm. "Colin, it''s going to be okay," sheforted, her voice soft. "I''ll get you out of here." Colin hugged Grace''s neck tightly, crying his heart out. "Mommy, they''re bad guys. Let''s wait for Daddy to show them who''s boss!" Grace rubbed Colin''s back gently. "Daddy will be here soon, Colin. Just a few more days. Don''t worry." Antonio, who had been keeping his cool, lostat atst. He grabbed Grace''s wrist, saying, "How long are you going to keep this up? Did you have any idea how hard I searched for you?" Grace, repulsed by his grasp, yanked her arm free. "Back off. We''re through, and you''re well aware of that," she said, her voice icy. Antonio looked at her, like he was seeing her for the first time. "It''s been long enough. Your games should have ended by now!" With Colin in her arms, Grace looked at Antonio and Omar, a touch of sarcasm in her eyes. "I''m not ying games with you. Why don''t you guys leave me alone and go to Kendra? She''s right over there, watching everything." No sooner had Grace spoken than Kendra, her anger barely in check, stormed over. Kendra quickly dashed away the envy from her eyes andtched onto Antonio''s arm. "Grace, it''s been ages I''m surprised to see you back in Drr City. Did things not go well for you abroad?" Grace remained unfazed by Kendra''s taunts, responding with a mere, calm smile, "Sorry to let you down. I''ve been great, and I''ve got this cute little son here." Kendra''s smile faltered, but she continued, "Grace, may I know who your husband is?" "Enough!" Antonio''s expression was grim as he yanked Kendra with a firm grip. Omar stepped up, his voice barely above a whisper. "Kendra..." time Kendra had It was the first tin been shut down like that by Antonio, and she was left dumbfounded, nibbling her lip in annoyance. Grace, not wanting to be in their presence any longer, made to leave with Colin in her arms. Yet again, Omar stood in her path, his face all twisted up as he blurted out, "You can''t go. Dad and I searched high and low for you." Antonio''s face was a mask of sternness. "You can''t just disappear from our lives. You need to return to the Kaufman''s ce. Omar needs his mom." Grace gave them a look, a touch of sarcasm in her eyes. "That''s not what you said back then. You made it clear I wasn''t fit to be Omar''s mom, that we were through." Then she turned to Omar, whose face was a mix of confusion and sadness. "You''ve cut me out, and now Kendra is your mom. I''ve only got Colin." The Lies He Told Me 176 With that, Grace turned and left Omar standing there. Omar stood there, too stunned to react at first, his eyes wide with a fear he''d never known before. Colin hugged Grace tightly, his tearsing in waves. "Mom, I really don''t like it here. Can we go?" Grace''s heart ached as sheforted Colin, rubbing his back. "Colin, be brave. Once I treat my friend, we''ll go with Dad, okay?" Hearing this, Colin didn''t continue to fuss or demand to leave. Grace sighed, a twinge of regret in her heart. She wasn''t sure how long the quiet times wouldst. The next morning, Grace brought Colin to the hospital. She once worked here, and many still remembered her. But what caught her eye was Kendra, still in charge as the director. People sucking up to Kendra gave Grace the cold shoulder, but Grace ignored them, making her way straight to Victor''s office. Victor recognized her and greeted her with respect, "Ms. Parrish, we''ve been expe Grace nodded, held Colin in her arms, and cut to the chase. "I''m here to treat Grace. I''ll be her attending physician from now on. Grace Hewson was not just her closest friend, but the only heir to the Hewson family in Drr City. Grace had been overseas for years, but her heart condition became unbearable, prompting her to return for more conservative treatment. Informed by the Hewson family earlier, Victor agreed readily, "Ms. Parrish, we''ll do everything we can to cure Ms. Hewson." Grace set Colin down and led him away. Colin got used to the hospital disinfectant smell when he was little. It didn''t bother him one bit. Seeing Grace, all connected to machines and looking so frail, didn''t scare him. It just made him feel bad. "Mom, is this Ms. Hewson who used to give me lots of toys?" Grace gazed at Grace through the ss, feeling a pang in her heart. "She wanted to be your godmother when you were born, and now I''m bringing you to see her," Grace said. "Colin, call her godmother." Colin, hands pressed against the ss, whispered softly, "Godmother, get better soon, and I''ll share all my toys with you." A sneer escaped from Kendra. "Got to be kidding, right? How could you bring a bastard here and try to im family ties?" Colin bared his teeth, ready to lunge and snap at Kendra. Grace held Colin back, a silent warning to keep it together. "Colin, keep this in mind. Dogs bite because they''re animals. We''re people, and we''re different from them." Kendra got that Grace was dissing her, and her face flinched. "Grace, what''s your game? Even if you''re back, it''s useless. And now you''ve got this kid to drag you down! "You must have struggled, so you turned into a side piece, hoping to use a kid to get ahead, but got dumped instead, didn''t you?" Grace shot Kendra a cold look, her eyes speaking volumes. "I can''t make it? It seems you''ve been Antonio''s kept woman for so long. Grace didn''t want to argue with Kendra here, so she grabbed Colin and left. Her brush- off was Kendra''sst straw. Once outside, Kendra confronted Grace, "Grace, you''re butting in OR my patient. Are you ying up your old ties with Ms. Hewson to win over the Hewson family?" Colin wasn''t having any of it. If Grace hadn''t been holding him back, he would have jumped and tried to bite Kendra. Those in the dark were chatting and pointing. Kendra, being a long-timer at the hospital, had everyone''s support, Grace, unfazed, spoke up, "I''m the one who can really help Grace, unlike you, who''s in charge only because you''re with a married man." Her retort hit home, leaving everyone shocked. "Dr. Jermyn is a mistress? Seriously? But to be honest, she never seemed like director material to me." "Who can say? This ce is under the Parrish family''s thumb, the big shots they once were, even if they''re not on top anymore." Kendra''s face flushed with fury as she stared at Grace. "Who will believe you? Especially you have a bastard, trying to hook up with some sugar daddy!" Colin caught on quickly and fired back, furious, "You bitch! My mom and dad are awesome! They don''t need to suck up to anybody!" With Colin''s repeated insults. Kendra''s patience was worn thin. "You little brat, I''m gonna teach you a lesson!" Grace scooped up Colin and gave Kendra a p that echoed through the air. The onlookers were stunned, their jaws dropping in surprise. Kendra''s face contorted with fury, her eyes spitting fire. ¡°Grace, you dare p me!" Grace covered Colin''s eyes, really fed up with Kendra. "I pped you because you deserved it. If you think you can''t handle it, go tell the Hewson family yourself." With that, Grace picked up Colin and strode off. Kendra stood there, seething. She red at Grace''s retreating back, a sh of venom in her eyes. Colin, on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear, proud as a peacock. "Mom, you''re awesome! It''s a bummer Dad missed it.¡± Grace gave his cheek a yful pinch but didn''t me him. "You''re totally your dad''s little shadow." "Grace..." Grace paused, spotting Antonio by his car with a haze of smoke around him. The ground littered with cigarette butts spoke volumes. He''d been standing there for quite some time. Antonio''s gaze on Colin turned a bit grim, and then after a while, he looked back at Grace. The Lies He Told Me 177 "I did some DNA testing on you and Colin, and he is indeed your child. When you were abroad..." Antonio couldn''t continue. Grace finished his sentence for him. "Colin is my child, I got married abroad. Are you satisfied with the answer?" The partially burned cigarette fell to the ground as Antonio''s hand slightly trembled while holding it. "Grace, after you left, I could no longer calm down and pray." Grace frowned, her eyes full of disgust. The presence of Colin prevented her from saying anything harsh. "You and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. Stop pestering me." Antonio understood her love for Colin, but the thought that Omar had been motherless for six years infuriated him. "You care about Colin; what about Omar? You never came back to see him in the past six years." Grace didn''t want to respond. She had initially tried to stick around for Omar, but he didn''t want her and repeatedly pushed her away. "Omar has Kendra; it doesn''t matter if I''m around or not. Omar overheard it in the car. He lost it, ran out of the car, and yelled at Grace, "You''re no longer my mother! You and your bastard son should nevere back!" Grace felt a jolt. She covered Colin''s cars, suppressing her rage. "You should say this to your father, your stepmother Kendra, and yourself. I hope not to see you ever again." After saying that, Grace carried Colin into the car and left. As Omar watched Grace drive away, he began to regret what he had said. "Dad, did I go too far?" With a gloomy face, Antonio said, "Yes you did. Copy out the family motto ten times tonight and stop using rudenguage." Omar lowered his eyes, feeling sad and wronged, yet the person who had onceforted or held him was no longer there. Antonio cast a nce at Omar through the rearview mirror, lost in thought for a while, Kendra, who had seen the scene, looked extremely grim. "Grace, why did youe back?" In the car, Colin used Grace''s phone to call his father, asking, "Dad, when will youe over? I miss you." The person on the other end chuckled and said in a low and pleasant voice. "I''ll be there in three days. Does your mom miss me?" Colin nced at Grace secretly, covering his mouth and snickering, "Yes, of course, but she won''t admit it." Slightly flushed, Grace lightly cleared her throat before saying, "You''re cheeky. Don''t disturb your dad at work." The man muttered, "Grace, I miss you so much." Upon hearing his words, Grace blushed and swiftly ended the call. "Colin, you need to stay at home by yourself for the next few days while I go to the hospital to treat your godmother. Remember not to open the door to strangers." Chapter 160 Colin nodded sensibly, swinging his legs. "I''ll wait for you toe home." Given the house''s automatic rm system and the wealthy neighborhood''s strong security measures, Grace didn''t worry about the security issue there. After working with the Hewson family to finalize the treatment n, Grace began getting ready for it the following day. The moment Grace walked into the hospital, almost everyone looked at her and made negative remarks about her. "That home wrecker is back. I heard that she was sent abroad because she had an affair with Ms. Jermyn''s husband." Grace felt angry yet amused at these words. Back then, she didn''t speak out, but that didn''t mean she''d continue to put up with it now. "Everyone, move aside!" Two nurses swiftly pushed a cart with a pale patient lying on it, while another nurse was kneeling on top performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The curtains were then drawn to block the curious gazes of passers-by. Grace was about to speak after checking the patient when she was shoved aside by Kendra, who hade running over and said, "Irrelevant people, get out of here." She gave Grace a provocative nce but made no direct reference to her. Grace frowned, not intending to argue with her. "Set aside your feelings; the patient''s survivales first." Kendra gritted her teeth, but she could only put up with it while these people were around. When Kendra was giving the patient an injection, Grace frowned and grabbed her hand. "You''re killing him with this injection. The patient''s respiratory tract is most likely blocked. Get out. I''ll do it!" Grace had already started while Kendra was about to refuse subconsciously. Grace tilted the patient''s head backward, allowing the median ligament of the cricothyroid membrane to tighten and fully stretch She then disinfected the area and inserted a thick needle vertically into the cricothyroid membrane. Everyone was taken aback by Grace''s agility. Kendra''s face flushed with rage, but she had to gnash her teeth and bear it for the time being. Grace pressed the patient''s chest and air flowed out, indicating a sessful puncture. She then proceeded to secure the needle with tape to prevent it from moving. "The patient is responding!" Then Grace directed them to perform first aid to finally stabilize the patient''s condition. The nurses and doctors startedplimenting her. With a darkened face, Kendra snorted coldly, "That''s nothing. I can do it. too. I just wanted to give Dr. Parrish a chance to perform." Grace shook her head, realizing that she had been mistaken to think Kendra was somehow medically skilled. "You saved a Goodwin, didn''t you?" A graceful senior woman appeared with her family members. "The Goodwin family? Are they the ones whose members have three generations of army service?" someone in the crowd eximed, extremely shocked. With calction in her eyes, Kendra thought, This is the Goodwin family." "Saving lives is our hospital''s responsibility. The patient needs to stay for observation." Grace had met Ruth Goodwin multiple times before, but she did not try to curry favor with her. But at this moment, Kendra intervened. The Lies He Told Me 178 Kendra said, "I assume you''re Mrs. Goodwin. It was me who saved your son. Don''t worry. Mr. Goodwin is fine now." Kendra''sck of shame surprised everyone, but they were afraid to speak up as she was the chief physician. Grace simply watched Kendra make a fool of herself in amusement. Victor hurriedly arrived and dispersed the crowd. "Get back to your work. Don''t gather here." Victor harshly questioned Kendra, "You said you saved Mr. Goodwin?" Under Victor''s stern gaze, Kendra said, "Yes, I did. I''m not sure why Grace feels the need to take credit, but I''m cool with her iming to be the Goodwin family''s savior." Grace didn''t want to argue with her in the hospital, so she spoke coldly, "It doesn''t matter who did. Hospitals are for curing diseases and saving lives, not for taking credit for these actions." Kendra clenched her hands tightly under her sleeves, barely able to maintain a smile on her face. Ruth saw through it and then said with a smile, "Dr. Parrish is right. We don''t mean anything else." Kendra looked unwilling, she wanted to speak up but didn''t know what to say. "Is this renowned cardiac disease specialist Dr. Grace Parrish? It''s very difficult to get a consultation with you as a globally recognized surgical expert," someone asked. Chapter 161 Grace nodded at the speaker, not surprised to be recognized. With great excitement, this person stepped forward and said, "Dr. Parrish, would you please check on my father''s condition? Please." Out of obligation, Grace consented. Just as they were leaving, someone looked up information about Grace on their phone and eximed, "I just checked it. "Dr. Parrish is truly remarkable. She deserves to be the chief physician at our hospital." Someone else said, "I suddenly remembered that Dr. Parrish used to work at our hospital. She was supposed to be elected chief physician back then, but Kendra ultimately assumed the position." "Keep your voice down. Given her abilities, I don''t think Dr. Parrish would im credit for something she didn''t do." As Kendra heard these words, a hint of malice shed in her eyes. "Don''t even think about provoking Dr. Parrish. Remember how you got your position as the chief physician!" Victor said, who had long been unhappy with Kendra''s position as chief physician. Kendra sneered inwardly, "I can''t afford to mess with her? I could drive her away again just like I did before." She asked, "What''s in it for you to defend Grace like that?" Victor said coldly with sharp eyes, "The Parrish family runs this hospital. Why would you mess with the boss?" Almost everyone was stunned by Victor''s words. They used to work with Grace for long, but they didn''t know she was a member of the Parrish family. Someone eximed, "Oh my goodness! I''ve been on the wrong side. Will I get fired?" "Me too. It turns out Kendra has nothing!" Kendra''s chest heaved violently in disbelief, but this was a fact she had to face. Victor left after saying that. Antonio and Omar came to the hospital again today and saw the whole incident. Omar began to have doubts for the first time as he looked at Antonio and said, "Something about Kendra seems off, Dad. I feel uneasy." Antonio did not respond, seemingly lost in thought with unreadable eyes. When Kendra saw them, she immediately dismissed her previous thoughts. She was not afraid of the Parrish family. They might have intimidated her in the past, but now the Parrish family was nothingpared to the Kaufman family. Kendra immediately put on a smile and approached them happily. "Antonio, Omar, what are you doing here? Did youe to see me?" Antonio did not answer, his gaze fixed on Grace. With a forced smile, Kendra said aggrievedly, "Antonio, you have no idea how Grace has humiliated me just now. Does she still hold a grudge against me?" Omar couldn''t bear to see her sad, so heforted her, "No, Kendra, it''s not like that. Dad and I came to look for Mom." Kendra''s face became gloomier. She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms to control herself. "Go ahead if you''re here to look for Grace. Don''t mind me." If it was before, Antonio would coax her, but this time Antonio just responded softly and left with Omar. Kendra''s fingertips trembled, and her eyes were full of disbelief. After a while, she turned and left as if she had made up her mind. "Grace, I will make you regreting back." Grace had just stepped into the office when Antonio and Omar followed her in. "Mom, I have something to tell you," Omar spoke hesitantly. Grace didn''t look at him but red at Antonio. "What exactly do you want? Why do you keep pestering me?" Antonio''s eyes darkened, filled with restraint. "I don''t mind who you were with overseas or that you have another child. that you have another child. But from today on, you can only be with me." With a bang. Grace pped him hard on the face. "What do you think I am to you? "I didn''t want to say much in front of the kid, but you''ve been pushing your luck. "I didn''t drug you back then. It was a marriage between two families. I did nothing wrong to you in those six years! But you kept cheating on me! "Antonio, I''ve long given up on you and Omar. We''ve finished long ago!" Antonio''s eyes seemed to be zing with rage as he clutched her wrist. "So you heartlessly left Omar behind for six years? Do you know how many people made fun of him for not having a mother? Have you ever carried out your duties as his mother?" The Lies He Told Me 179 Despite lowering his eyes and clenching his hands, Omar couldn''t conceal his sadness. Grace curled her lips coldly with a hint of sarcasm. "Your good show almost convinces me that a Kaufman family''s child would beughed at." Omar looked at her in disbelief, unable to hold back the resentment any longer. "Why don''t you want me? Am I no better than the four-year-old kid?" "Yes, that''s right. My son loves me. You really can''tpare to him." Grace''s response caused Omar''s expression to abruptly change. She had never said anything so hurtful to him before. Omar found it absur With folded arms, Grace nced at Antonio coldly. "Aren''t you leaving?" Antonio grabbed the emotionally agitated Omar. He had never imagined Grace would be willing to give up Omar, but her expression gave him the impression that she really didn''t want him and Omar anymore. Antonio pinched his brows and said in a hoarse voice, "Omar, we should leave." Omar''s eyes were red, but Grace didn''t look distressed. After they left, Grace stopped pretending. Omar was her child, and of course, she cared about him. However, Omar had made his choice, so he should bear the consequences himself. Now, all she wanted to do was heal Grace Hewson and get out of here with Colin, or else her jealous man would lose it. With his head down, Omar silently followed Antonio. Just as they passed by a ward with no patients staying, Kendra''s voice came from inside, "Mom, be patient. "I''ll marry into the Kaufman family and be Mrs. Kaufman soon. I killed that old man a long time ago. "I shifted the me to that fool Grace for therge dose of potassium I purposefully injected into him. He was the one to me for his misfortune. He was determined to send me away and stop me from getting "But I didn''t expect that idiot Grace woulde back. I''ll kidnap her son and force her to leave." These words made Antonio''s eyes turn cold. Omar widened his eyes; he was about to speak, but Antonio covere Kendra''s contemptuous voice sounded again, "Mom, Antonio simply didn''t want to marry me no matter what I said in the past few years. But it doesn''t matter. I''m sure he will after I give birth to his son. "Then I''ll find a way to kill that ungrateful Omar. Only my son can inherit the Kaufman family''s assets in the future." Omar struggled even harder. Atst, Antonio feltpelled to push open the ward door. Kendra''s smile froze, and her heart sank suddenly. With a shocked look and red eyes, Omar yelled at Kendra, "You''ve been lying to me for all these years! You killed my great- grandfather!" Antonio looked solemnly at Kendra while holding back Omar, who was about to charge forward. Kendra shuddered in fear. "Antonio, Omar, I can exin..." Antonio interrupted her coldly, "Save it for the police!" He took Omar away, feeling so panicked for the first time. He felt regret for the first time. He wondered how many times he had misunderstood and hurt Grace because of such a vicious woman like Kendra. Omar''s eyes were full of regret and shame. "Dad, I was wrong. We were both mistaken. Mom used to be so kind to me. I regret it so much. Will Mom forgive me?" Antonio''s heart was in turmoil as he returned to Grace''s office with Omar, only to find it empty. This scene reminded them of six years ago when Grace left. The house was very tidy but also very cold. They couldn''t even find any trace of Grace''s presence in the house. Grace had vanished entirely from their lives. Omar was acting up at the time. "She doesn''t want me. I don''t want her either!" Antonio also thought that Grace was just throwing a tantrum and would return by herself after a while. In the past she would return the following after every tantrum. But neither of them expected that Grace would be gone for six years. They couldn''t locate her anywhere in the past six years. "Dad?" Omar''s voice brought back Antonio''s sanity. Just before Antonio picked up his phone to call Grace, he realized she had blocked him. After a moment, he called someone else. "I need you to investigate a person in Drr City." In a short while, Antonio received a message. He left quickly with Omar, his face bing extremely gloomy. Omar realized something was off and asked hurriedly in the car, "Dad, what happened?" Antonio''s voice was particrly cold. "Someone has kidnapped Colin." Omar was stunned, feeling confused. "Are you talking about the one who always follows Mom around?" Omar thought of the little boy, who was actually his younger brother. "Dad, is he going to be okay?" Antonio remained silent. He didn''t know either, but he hoped that something would happen to the child so that Grace could be with him in peace. This way, he could make up for what he owed Grace over the years. Without getting an answer, Omar couldn''t calm down. He reasoned that he would ept the new brother grudgingly as long as her mother was willing to stay. The car quickly arrived at Grace''s ce. When Antonio and Omar walked into the vi, they saw Grace tightly hugging Colin who was crying. Grace''s eyes were bloodshot, yet she was still trying tofort Colin with all her might. "Don''t be afraid, Colin, Mom is here. The bad guys are gone." This familiar scene made Omar elench his hands. The Lies He Told Me 180 Omar thought of how Grace had treated him the same way before, hugging him and coaxing him softly, "Omar, be good. You are the most important person to me." Scenes from the past seemed so vivid as if they were right before his eyes. But now her mother was holding another child. Omar turned around and wiped the tears from his face. Antonio walked forward and held Grace''s shoulders worriedly. "Grace, are you okay?" Grace''s bloodshot, hateful eyes were fixed on Antonio. "What do you want? I won''t disturb your life with Kendra, and I don''t like you anymore. Why do you want to hurt my child?" Antonio held her shoulders stubbornly. "You never got upset with me over a child before. You loved me more than anyone else, right? Why have you changed in the past six years? Do you know how I lived without you in those years?" After cing Colin on the sofa, Grace pped him hard in the face. "I don''t care how you live. What did Colin do wrong? How could you have the heart to hurt a four- year-old child?" Antonio''s chest heaved violently, with a hint of grievance. "You muste back to the Kaufman family with me today!" Under Grace''s shocked gaze, he scooped her up. "You can only be mine." Grace struggled desperately, her face full of disgust. "Don''t touch me! You''re disgusting!" Antonio ignored her, holding her tightly. Grace''s face was full of disgust, but the disparity in their strength was too great for her to break free. Colin cried and fell off the sofa, shouting, "Mom! Don''t take my mom away." Grace struggled more fiercely, st "If anything happens to Colin, I won''t let you off!" Omar was about to move forward when he saw Colin fall, but he changed his mind. He couldn''t let Colin take his mother away. However, Omar softened at Colin''s crying. He walked forward and picked up Colin. "I''ll take you home. Mom will live there too." Colin didn''t like Omar. Even at this young age, Colin sensed his mother''splicated feelings for Omar. When they got in the car, Grace quickly snatched Colin out of Omar''s arms. Colin hugged Grace''s neck, sobbing. "Don''t be afraid, Mom. I''m a man. I''ll protect you like Dad does." Grace hugged Colin cherished, feeling distressed and touched. "Silly child, I''m sorry. I made you suffer." Colin kissed Grace on the cheek. "When you''re with me, I''m not afraid." Omar gazed at them, his eyes lonesome, somehow feeling resentful. "Mom..." Omar couldn''t help but call out, but Grace put on a long face, unmoved. At that moment, Omar''s forcibly held-back tears burst forth. "Mom, I''m sorry. I truly understand I was wrong! "Dad and I know everything. Kendra killed Great Grandpa. She was. behind everything. She deceived Dad and me." The knuckles of Antonio gripping the steering wheel turned slightly pale. His eyes were full of remorse. Grace finally reacted at the mention of Russell. She said in resignation, ¡°Let the past be in the past.¡± Omar moved closer to Grace, carefully grasped her sleeve with his fingers, and pleaded, "Mom, can you forgive me?" Looking at his grown-up face, Grace smiled faintly and pried open his hand. "I''m not your mother, Omar. You''ve made your choice." Omar''s pupils dted, as if something shattered in that instant, silently and invisibly. Then, Antonio abruptly mmed on the brakes. Grace subconsciously embraced Colin and yelled, "Antonio, are you crazy?" With a gloomy face, Antonio opened the car door before forcibly taking Grace out of the car. Colin was also taken away by Omar, who was crying quietly. After a six-year hiatus, Grace once again stepped into the Kaufman''s residence, which was like a nightmare to her, with scenes from the past vividly emerging before her eyes. When she saw that office, her breathing suddenly became rapid. "Antonio, you are so disgusting!" Grace looked at Antonio with disgust. Antonio''s fingertips quivered, stimted by the disgusted look in her eyes. "Grace, you still won''t forgive me after all these years?" Grace clenched her fists. "I told you I no longer loved you. You are no more than a stranger to me now!" With red eyes, Antonio threw Grace onto the bed. He then tied up Grace''s smooth wrists with the beaded bracelet. Unable to break free, Grace was breathing rapidly. "Don''t touch me with that disgusting thing!" Antonio''s breath sounded in her ears. "Grace, don''t worry. I have washed it clean thest time I did that." Antonio held her face gently, his eyes filled with intense desire. "Grace, I don''t care that you married someone else and have another child. Once you get divorced, you''ll be Mrs. Kaufman again. Omar missed you terribly during the Six years you were gone. Omar is also your child." Grace remained silent. As Antonio closed in, she closed her eyes and said coldly without struggling, "Don''t make me hate you." Antonio paused before chuckling softly as if mocking himself. "Do you despise me so much, Grace?" "Yes!" Grace answered without hesitation, which deeply hurt him. Antonio said slowly, "But I can''t let you go." He left the room, as if afraid of listening to what Grace would say next. Antonio walked downstairs and saw Omar and Colin facing each other in a standoff. He saw Colin''s eyes darken. The Lies He Told Me 181 "Tomorrow, we''ll have a banquet and invite all the affluent families. Tell everyone that the hostess of the Kaufman family has returned," Antonio. instructed. With a sigh, the housekeeper went to prepare it. Antonio walked up to Colin and looked down at him. "Who is your father?" Colin took a step back, frightened by Antonio. But then, as if thinking of something, he put his hands on his hips and said with a stubborn tilt of his neck, "My dad is the most powerful person in the world! You''d b Omar was afraid that Antonio would hurt Colin, so he quickly yelled at Colin, "Colin, what nonsense are you talking about? Do you know my father''s background?" Colin huffed out a breath. "I don''t care. My mother hates you guys. You are bad people!" Antonio checked Colin out carefully for the first time. Something shed in his mind. Colin turned his back to them, aking proud. Omar pulled Antonio away and spoke, "Dad, don''t bother with a little kid. Will Mom stay with us?" Antonio couldn''t give a definite answer because he didn''t know either. "I''ll think of something." Omar felt even more upset when he saw Antonio leaving dejectedly. Atst, he went to knock on Grace''s room door. Sitting on a chair, Grace didn''t say anything when she saw Omaring in. Omar walked to Grace with his head down, clenching his hands tightly. He was cool with it during the first year after Grace left. However, in the second year, his longing for her intensified rapidly. He used to believe that he could locate his mother once he grew up. Now Grace was right in front of him, but she no longer loved him. He had done something wrong, but he wasn''t sure how to ask Grace for forgiveness. "Mom... What does it take for you to forgive me? I didn''t understand back then. I j- just..." Grace sighed, wiping away his tears with her hand. Omar paused and then broke down in tears, clutching Grace''s hand and crying heart- wrenchingly, as if to cry out all the grievances of these years. "Mom, I really miss you." Grace patted his back gently, looking at the branches growing wildly outside the window. "Omar, you said you didn''t understand back then because you were little. But you knew Kendra ruined our family as a home wrecker, and you still loved her and protected her even at the expense of repeatedly hurting me. "So, did you really didn''t understand, or did you love Kendra more? "If you didn''t find out everything she''s done, would you still approach me? "Omar, you''re a selfish child. You believe whatever others say. Youe to me after realizing how good I am. But you must understand no one will wait for you forever." Omar stopped crying, looking up at her nkly. He opened his mouth but didn''t know how to respond. Grace patted his back gently. "Omar, you know what? During those six- years, I felt like I couldn''t hold on any longer, but I hung in there because of you. "You''re my child. I loved you very much, but you didn''t love me. "So. I don''t want you either. "Omar, remember that this is your choice, and you must stick to it till the end." Instead of yelling or screaming, Omar wept silently as he gazed into her soft yet indifferent eyes. He was aware that he hadpletely fost the mother who used to love him exclusively. He had pushed her away himself and would never get her back. Grace silently and emotionlessly watched Omar leave in despair. Over thest six years, a lot had changed. She thought perhaps she would still miss this child if Omar hadn''t spoken cruelly to her that day. Unfortunately, there was no way back. The banquet was held as scheduled the next day. Antonio brought a burgundy dress Grace''s room. "Grace, wear this tonight. I will let everyone know that you are still the hostess of the Kaufman family." Grace frowned at the dress. "Stop acting crazy. I''m already married. Give Colin back to me." Antonio''s eyes darkened. "Colin and Omar are having a great time. If you want to see him, put this on ande with me." With a look of disgust on her face, Grace forcibly grabbed the dress. "I never thought you''d be so disgusting since you stopped praying." Antonio was holding the beaded bracelet in his hand at the moment, smiling meaningfully. "Since you returned, I can calm down and pray again." Feeling repulsive, Grace responded coldly, "Get out. I need to change my clothes." Antonio left without saying anything else. Grace picked up the dress, which fit her well, and threw it into the trash can. She wouldn''t do as he said. She had changed over the past six years. Grace took out a lipstick from her purse and applied it to her lips. In the mirror, she looked stunning with bright lips. When she opened the door, she could hear beautiful musicing from downstairs. "Look! Isn''t that Mrs. Kaufman?" "Why is she dressed like this?" "Mrs. Kaufman is finally back after six years\" Facing everyone''s doubtful gazes, Grace walked down the stairs slowly and calmly. "Mom! Mom, I''m here!" Colin shouted excitedly at the sight of Grace, with his hand firmly gripped by Omar. While maintaining herposure, Grace tightened her grip and gave Colin a soothing look. The people around were all taken aback to see Colin. They then cast a self-evident nce at Omar. The Lies He Told Me 182 Omar and Colin both called Grace "Mom", but they didn''t look alike. Antonio was not surprised by Grace''s performance. He grinned as he dotingly looked at her. "Grace, you look so gorgeous today." Grace avoided his hand with an indifferent expression. She nced over at the crowd, her voice dull. "I''m here today just to tell you something. "I divorced Antonio six years ago. I''m not Mrs. Kaufman. I don''t interact with him anymore. I just want to be myself, Grace Parrish from the Parrish family!" As soon as she finished speaking, everyone stared at her in astonishment. Antonio''s fingertips, holding the beaded bracelet, paused for a moment: his expression changed, tinged with a hint of anger. "Grace, what do you mean?" With folded arms, Grace curled her lips coldly. "Antonio, you and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. You''d better let Colin and me go." Antonio tightly grasped her wrist, with a hint of anger in his eyes. Grace had no fear in her eyes. "Antonio, you make me sick " Antonio''s chest heaved violently, and his voice was dull. "Let''s call it a day. Everyone, please see yourself out." The guests looked at each other. No one made a move as if they didn''t understand the situation. "This ce is incredibly animated!" a deep male voice abruptly sounded. Grace''s heart skipped a beat as she heard the familiar voice. After ncing at the invitation, the housekeeper shouted, "Let''s wee the head of the Floyd family, Mr. Rhett Floyd!" The crowd started gossiping. "The Floyd family? It''s actually the Floyd family! But didn''t the family move abroad long ago?" "Even so, they are still the most prominent family in the city. Why did the head of the familye here?" Rhett had sharp facial features and an imposing aura, dressed in a suit. Colin cried even harder when he saw Rhett. If Omar hadn''t gripped him tightly, he would have run over. "Dad! Dad! Get Mom!" Upon hearing Colin''s voice, Rhett walked over slowly. Intimidated by Rhett''s imposing aura, Omar began to perspire lightly and unconsciously released his hold. Colin then ran toward Rhett, who picked him up. Rhett wiped Colin''s tears with a handkerchief and pinched his cheek. "Didn''t you say you''d protect your mother? Why are you crying?" Colin gritted his teeth, striving to keep himself from crying out loud. "I''ll protect Mom. I won''t cry." Grace didn''t expect Rhett toe directly to the Kaufman family''s banquet. She tried to break free from Antonio''s grip, only to find it unyielding. Light dawned on Antonio. "Rhett is Colin''s father?" Grace frowned, not answering his question. ¡°Let go of me! It has nothing to do with you anyway!" Antonio''s face was gloomy as if he was suppressing something inside. "Why him? Why does it have to be him?!" Grace''s patience was already at its limit. "So what? Antonio, what else are you going to do?" Rhett held Antonio''s hand that was holding Grace''s. Although he was smiling, his eyes looked cold. "Mr. Kaufman, what do you want to do to my wife?" The crowd burst into an uproar at the words. "What! Ms. Parrish is actually Mr. Floyd''s wife? What''s going on?" "This banquet visit today is truly worth it. I guess it will make headlines tomorrow." "But if I remember correctly, Mr. Kaufman has a woman. Why isn''t she here?" "You don''t know? She''s in jail." Omar clenched his hands tightly. Those sympathetic and pitiful gazes fell on him intensely. "Grace can only be mine!" Antonio said, looking at Rhett hostilely, refusing to release his hold although Rhett was grabbing his hand. A stronger hint of amusement was in Rhett''s eyes, but Grace could tell he was furious. Not wanting anything out of her control to happen, Grace struggled to break free from Antonio''s grip. "Antonio, I''ve married Rhett. He is the one and only man I love. "Your Antonio was the one who drugged us back then. She wanted to marry you. If you don''t believe me, you can go ask her in person. I never thought about giving birth to the baby, but Russell pleaded with me, sotkept it. "Everything between us was a mistake just like how it started." Omar suddenly looked at Grace, tears falling silently. He thought, "As it turns out. I shouldn''t have been born in the first ce. "All the mistakes began with me; it was my fault." Antonio couldn''t ept this truth. His eyes were bloodshot and full of pain. "I don''t give a damn about the truth. You say you love him? Why? You love me, don''t you?" Grace pped him in the face and said harshly, "Keep your head straight!" The force of Grace''s p left her palm numb. Rhett frowned, a look of distress shing across his eyes. He held her hand and said coquettishly, "Honey, let''s go home." Grace felt frustrated to see him act this way, aware that she would need to cajole himter. Antonio did not stop them from leaving. He watched their receding backs and closed his eyes in agony. This banquet had offered such a good show Everyone left with satisfaction; eager to go home and share it. Grace and Rhett returned to the Floyd''s residence. Despite Colin''s reluctance to leave Grace, the servants dragged him away. Grace knew from Rhett''s expression that he wanted to make out with her. She turned around and said, "Rhett Colin needs mypany after the ordeal yesterday. Since you''ve just get arrived in Drr City, 9me rest." Rhett hooked his pinky finger around Grace''s hand, grinning. His extremely captivating voice rang Grace''s ears, "Didn''t you miss me these days, Grace?" Grace flushed, having difficulty to respond, "R-Rhett, calm down." Rhett scooped her up, brushed his fingertips across her cheek, and smiled barely perceptibly, "I can''t calm down, Grace. You have no idea how much I miss you." Subconsciously, Grace wrapped her arms around his neck, flushing with a smile. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 183 Grace said, "Actually, I miss you too." With a genuine smile, Rhett carried her to the bedroom, where they were naked in each other''s arms and sped hands. "Grace, you''ve been through a lottely." Grace''s body was extremely sensitive. She shuddered at his touch, her ears burning. "Fortunately, the matter has been resolved. Once I cure Grace, we will leave Drr City." Rhett thrust inside her, his eyes full of satisfaction. He leaned down to kiss Grace''s cheek. "I''m at yourmand." Grace raised her body unconsciously. After a while, she couldn''t help but start moaning. "You sweet talk again." Rhett moved his hip forward and backward, his fingertips running through Grace''s long ck hair as if reminiscing. "I still remember the first time I saw you; you were as beautiful as you are now." Grace put her arms around his neck. She chuckled as something interesting shed into her mind. "You were even cheekier back then than you are now, like a gangster. But I didn''t expect you to be such a devoted man." Rhett seemed insatiable, demanding more. ¡°From the moment I firstid eyes on you, I knew I was a goner.¡± The golden hues of sunset filtered into the room, where the two figures on the bed were entwined, their eyes brimming with love. For the first time, Grace slept soundly that night since returning to Drr City. Grace woke up at the first ray of sunlight. Rhett supported his chin, with love shining in his eyes. "Grace, you''re awake." Grace felt sore all over, so she didn''t get up, continuing to lie on bed. Rhett massaged her tenderly. "I found out who attempted to kidnap our son, someone I didn''t anticipate." "Who was it?" Grace immediately perked up, frowning. When the vi''s rm went off that day, she rushed home from the hospital, only to see a few sneaky people trying to lure Colin out. If she hadn''t arrived in time, Colin would have opened the door. She immediately called over a group of security guards and had them arrested. Terrified and worried, Grace asked Colin why he opened the door. Colin finally realized that he had done something wrong and answered with tears. "They kept saying that something had happened to Mom. They knew you well. I was scared. I thought something had happened to you." Grace knew that someone who knew her well was behind it. But Antonio was the only one who knew her well. Rhett adjusted the loose hair on Grace''s forehead and continued, "Kendra." Grace shuddered, looking over in disbelief. She thought, "Is she crazy? Why was she trying to abduct Colin? Shouldn''t she be d that I''m married and have a child?" Rhett''s eyes were filled with unclear emotions. "That''s true, but Kendra was sent to prison by Antonio himself. She was sentenced to life in prison for causing intentional harm." Grace was shocked, thinking Anto send Kendra to prison. Rhett looked at Grace, kissed her lips, and embraced her. "If I''d known the Kaufman family would do this to you, I''d havee with you. They''re horrible people. I can''t imagine how much you have been through." Grace felt his steady and powerful heartbeat, grinning. "But happily, I met you and have Colin. We''ll be happy together." Rhett felt unprecedented satisfaction. "Yes, we will be together forever and never be apart." Colin knocked on the door hard, shouting, "Dad, it''s morning. It''s time for me to have Mom back!" Rhett''s expression changed as if he was slightly annoyed. "If only this brat were a girl, he wouldn''t have kept my wife from me." Grace chuckled, "If it were a girl, you''d spoil her." "Okay, let''s get up; our son is urging us," Rhett said with a smile, gently helping Grace up. Grace said, "Let''s move it. I need to talk to thiso crybaby." Antonio went to the Kaufman''s residence early the next morning. Omar was worried about his father, so he came along. These past few days, Omar seemed to have grown up overnight, bing mature andposed, but less talkative. Antonio drove the car very fast and soon arrived. The housekeeper was surprised to see Antonioing. "Mr. Kaufman, what brings you here?" Antonio suppressed his anger and asked, ¡°Is Olivia home?" The housekeeper was concerned about Olivia after learning about. yesterday''s events. "Ms. Kaufman..." Antonio knew that he was trying to stop him, so he charged straight in. With a fierce demeanor, he found his cousin Olivia Kaufman. Olivia was humming a song and putting on makeup in her bedroom. She believed it was her chance to woo Antonio now that the troublesome Kendra was gone. "Olivia, get out here!" Antonio shouted. Olivia shuddered all over. She saw Antonio''s gloomy face through the mirror. She felt a jolt for no reason. She was adopted by the Kaufman family. If she couldn''t find a powerful man to marry, she would have to obey the family and marry a man she didn''t love. She had waited for Antonio for so long; she simply couldn''t settle for a man who didn''t love her and she didn''t love. She quickly stood up from the chair, walked happily up to Antonio, and spoke with a smile, "Antonio, what brings you here?" Antonio looked at her coldly, threw a stack of evidence at her feet, and said indifferently, "From now on, you are no longer a member of the Kaufman family." ?wnovel Olivia''s expression changed drastically, but she still managed to say. "Antonio, what do you mean?" Antonio felt too pissed to even nce at her. "You drugged me back then, right? But you sent me to the wrong room, which was why I misunderstood Grace after I woke up." The Lies He Told Me 184 Omar''s heart ached after he heard the whole truth. His mother had to bear so many years of grievances just because of a lie. Omar hated his father''s ruthlessness, but he hated his own stupidity even more. Olivia shuddered, as if not ready for the revtion of something that happened so many years ago. Antonio even came to confront her personally. She looked at the document in intimidation, from the records of her drug purchase to her drug use. Everything was written clearly. Olivia could no longer maintain her calm demeanor, her face full of panic. She c Antonio hated having his family plot against him the most, and he had been pampering Olivia since she was a child. Omar watched the scene quietly without intervening. Antonio had made up his mind. Everyone knew that Olivia had been expelled from the family. Olivia was panicked, her face turning pale. If she was no longer a member of the Kaufman family, she would lose its protection Those who had grudges against her would surelye after her. She wouldn''t survive it. Olivia got on her knees and crawled to Antonio''s feet crying. "Antonio, I know I did it wrong. I can''t leave the Kaulinan family. Please! We grew up together. You can''t do this to me! Grandpa would be heartbroken if he were still alive." "Whether Grandpa would be sad or not, you would know after you die." Antonio closed his eyes and left in agony. Olivia sat on the floor dejectedly, her delicate face ashen. She knew she was finished. Omar followed Antonio from a distance. He sensed that Antonio was very sad. However, Omar was at a loss for how to offer sce, as he himself was engulfed in sorrow. Looking back, his family shattered when he constantly med his mother and distanced himself from her because he liked Kendra. He had no right to bother Grace now that she had a new family and no longer wanted him around. After thinking for a while, he ran forward and shouted, "Dad!" Antonio stopped, his thoughtsplicated. He turned around and looked at Omar, who had grown tall enough to reach his neck. He sighed and patted his shoulder. "Omar, it''s my fault. I''m sorry." Omar''s pent- up frustrations finally boiled over at this moment, and he cried uncontrobly on Antonio''s shoulder. "Dad, I miss Mom. I regret it so much, but there is no way to change it. From now on, you and I will take care of each other, okay?" Only now did Antonio realize that Omar was just an eleven-year- old child. After a long silence, Antonio slowly uttered a word, "Okay" From then on, he would no longer bother Grace. The rtionship between him and her waspletely severed. Grace got out of the car. Suddenly, a strong wind blew up. She pinched her chest. At this moment, she finally felt relieved. "Dad and I will be waiting for you at home, Mom." Grace nced at the zing sun in the distance, quickly looked away, bent over, and kissed Colin on the cheek. ¡°Okay, I''ll be back home in the evening." Rhett pointed at his cheek with his finger as if asking for a kiss. "Grace, what about me?" Colin looked at Rhett and then at Grace, snickering with his hand covering his mouth. Flushing, Grace covered Colin''s eyes and swiftly kissed Rhett on the Rhett was startled, but after a. lips. moment, he chuckled and said, "I''ll wait for you toe home." This time, nobody dared to treat Grace disrespectfully when she showed up at the hospital. Everyone knew that the hospital''s biggest shareholder was the Parish family, of which Grace was a member. Those who had previously made disparaging remarks about Grace had avoided her. Grace seemed to be unaware of all this. With a report in her hand, she gave instructions to the doctor beside her. "Grace has always been in good ? health, so she doesn''t require a lot of nutritional supplements. Pay more attention to her physical condition instead. Have you found a matching heart?" The vice director nodded "Yes, it will be delivered tomorrow." The Lies He Told Me 185 Grace let out a sigh of relief, this matter couldn''t be dragged on for long. As long as they had the heart, she was confident in saving Grace. When Grace finished her work, she went to see Grace. Grace was covered in tubes, lying quietly in the intensive care unit. As she gazed at the quiet Grace, she missed the lively, energetic Grace, who had always been bright. No one expected that Grace would copse due to a heart attack. "You are here to see Grace too," a male voice said. Grace looked at the man speaking. His figure was excellent, but he had a dark circle under his eyes. It was obvious that he had not slept well for a few days. "Andrew," Grace greeted Andrew Hewson, the head of the Hewson family. Andrew nodded slightly, pinching his brows tiredly. "How big is the chance for the sess of this surgery?" Grace looked at Grace, her voice extremely firm. "The chances of sess are 70%." Andrew let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief, seeming to feel much more at ease. "It''s great that Grace has a friend like you. Thank you." Grace waved her hands. She had always been grateful to Grace for staying by her side. Without her, she wouldn''t have been able to move on. "I should thank Grace instead. Without her, I wouldn''t be who I am today." The ce felt silent again. Grace was not used to being alone with Andrew. He was the most boring. person she had ever met. It seemed like he cared about no one except Grace. Andrew was the first to break the silence. "Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee?" Grace also had the same idea, so she nodded and said, "Sure, I happen to have something to tell you." Andrew nodded, and they went together to the cafe outside the hospital. Grace sensed that Andrew also had something to tell her. She took a sip of coffee and quietly waited for him to speak up. After a moment of silence, he spoke with a hint of hesitation. ¡°The heart is Kash''s.¡± Grace was stunned, almost dropping the coffee in her hand. She looked at him in disbelief. "No way! Isn''t Kash safe and sound? What''s more, he is..." Grace could not longer continue. The matching heart was actually from Kash Hasel, whom Grace loved deeply! Andrew exined, "Kash became ill as soon as Grace received a heart disease diagnosis. He wished that Grace would live a good life with his heart after he gave it to her. "At midnight yesterday, Kash died on the operating table. The heart is on its way." Grace''s heart grew unbearably heavy. She never expected that such a graceful and honorable man would die in this way. "What if Grace can''t find Kash when she wakes up?" Andrew sighed and took out a letter. "He wrote his final words to make Grace believe he was a heartless person who hated her, so she wouldn''t be sad. Grace is a free- spirited person. She will get over it. I hope you can visit her more often in the future." 16 191 Grace''s eyes turned slightly red, and her breath becamebored. Kash''s love was profound. Instead of telling Grace the truth, he would prefer that she live in hatred. They knew that Grace wouldn''t survive it if she learned about the truth.. Grace felt down, but she hoped a bright woman like Grace could live at good life. Andrew spoke up, "Ms. Parrish, do you have anything to tell me?" Grace took out a report, saying, "Grace''s illness should have been identified a long time ago. I don''t know who is deliberately concealing it." Andrew''s fingertips trembled, and his eyes turned cold in an instant. "Someone wants to harm Grace?!" Grace shook her head. "You have to look into it yourself." Andrew took the report and thanked her. "Thank you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help in the future." Grace nodded. slightly. After finishing her work at the hospital, Grace was about to go home when Rhett showed up with Colin ran out of the capand herself into Grace''s arms. "Mom! I missed you so much!" The day''s weariness seemed to be lifted when Grace smiled and stroked Colin''s head. Rhett stepped forward, opened his arms, and hugged her. "Grace, let''s go home." Grace smiled at Rhett and said gently, "Let''s go home. I''m really exhausted today." Rhett took her backpack off and opened the car door. "I''ll give you at massage when we get home." Before Grace got into the car, she looked at the nearby alley for a moment. As he leaned against the wall, Omar nced in the direction they had gone. "Mom. I miss you so much..." Grace ignored Omar and left although she saw him after getting in the car. She wondered asionally if this was fair to a child, but she couldn''t get the answer. Once the damage had been done, it was irreparable. Those hurts would persist even after forgiveness. Colin got onto Grace''sp, cupping her face, smiling. "Mom, are you upset?" Grace didn''t expect a child to notice her mood. She rubbed Colin''s cheek. "No. I''m just too tired. I''m not upset." Colin''s face furrowed as if he was thinking about what to do. After a while, he said, "Mom, I''ll tell you a joke; it''ll chase away your fatigue." Grace was intrigued. Colin was only four years old. She wondered what kind of jokes he could tell. "OK, go ahead." Rhett also smiled. "Colin, I want to hear it too." Colin instantly straightened his chest, looking proud. "Once upon a time, a priest named Rhett Floyd served in a church that was situated atop a mountain. One day..." Before he could finish, Rhett pinched his cheek. Even the driver couldn''t helpughing. "What a cute boy!" Rhett squeezed Colin''s cheek and said viciously, "What''s that priest''s name again?" Colin hugged Grace''s hand and made faces at Rhett. "Dad is that chubby priest..." Grace was amused by the father and son. She nced at Rhett who looked unhappy. "Rhett, you are a priest, a chubby priest!" Rhett touched his face as it grew darker. "Don''t you think it''s unfortunate that such a handsome man bes a priest?" Colin folded his arms. He and Rhett had a striking resemnce. "Dad is so conceited." Grace agreed with this. On this slightly cool night, Grace dreamed of the past. The first time she met Rhett was in a foreign hospital. She came to the hospital with her mentor to see patients and met the injured Rhett. His face was covered in blood. He asked first whether he would be disfigured. Grace responded at that time, "Maybe. Anyway, there''s always the option of stic surgery." Rhett became dejected, allowing Grace to wipe the blood off him. But when he looked up and saw Grace''s face clearly, he subconsciously said, "Can I pursue you?" Grace''s hand, holding the alcohol pad, paused for a moment as she stared at him in a daze. Rhett, stimted by the alcohol, subconsciously grasped her hand. "Dr. Parrish, be gentle. It hurts." Grace could sense the spot he was holding was burning. She hastily bandaged him and left the hospital. Rhett recalled the name on her work badge. "Rhett Floyd." From that day on, Rhett came to the hospital every day to pester Grace. The Lies He Told Me 186 Rhett got injured from time to time and only let Grace treat him. Grace. thought he was a gangster, so she pulled a long face in front of him. Rhett came to her with new bleeding wounds on his hand that day. Gr "Don''t let the wounds get wet for the next few days." "Dr. Parrish, why don''t you smile at all?" he asked. Grace frowned, looking puzzled. "What''s there to be happy about in the hospital? Do you want me to say wee to you?" Rhett paused, and then burst intoughter. "I thought you were always serious. I didn''t expect you to make jokes. Grace rolled her eyes at him. "It''s done. You can leave now." Rhett grabbed her wrist, his cheeks flushing. "There is a ball tomorrow. I wonder if I have the honor to invite you to attend with me." Grace was taken aback by the look in his eyes. She realized that he was seriously pursuing her. She took a deep breath, withdrew her hand, and whispered, "I''ve been divorced and have a child. "Don''t you even check my background before approaching me?" She originally thought that after she said this, he would give up. But Rhett''s eyes were full of distress. No longer acting dandiacal as usual, he spoke seriously, "It''s not your fault. What''s more, it just means you have escaped from ?? suffering and have a bright future, so let me heal you." Rhett''s eyes were serious, without any other emotions. Grace felt a jolt, but she refused to look at him. "I have ended a miserable rtionship. Do you think I will start another one?" Rhett choked, speechless for a while before saying, "But it will be a happy one." Grace''s long- sunk heart began to stir again. She was unsure of the reason behind her agreement. She watched Rhett''s back as he happily left, ginning. She would take it as a way to rx. When she arrived at the ball, she found out Rhett''s identity, the youngest head of the Floyd family in Drr City. Grace watched as he came toward her, bowed slightly, and extended his hand, saying, "Ms. Parrish, would you mind joining me for tonight''s first dance?" Grace put her hand on his palm and performed the first dance with him in front of everyone. Rhett was eye- catching under the light, not the fool who deliberately hurt himself just to see her. Grace could tell that his injuries appeared to have been intentionally caused by himself. The injuries were just severe enough to be bandaged in the hospital. He was just not afraid of the pain. Grace and Rhett worked well together. They were such a perfect match. After the dance, everyone apuded sincerely, as if they were the brightest stars of the night. Grace said goodbye to everyone politely and left the ball. Rhett chased after her, watching her standing alone by the sea, braving the cold wind. He noticed for the first time that she appeared to be both tough and lonely. Rhett took off his coat, walked forward slowly, and draped it over her shoulders. He was trying to shield her from the cold wind. Grace felt the warmth on her shoulders, turned her head, and met Rhett''s eyes. Rhett stood beside her and said with a smile, "Dr. Parrish, today is Christmas back home. Let''s release antern together." Grace covered her mouth and smiled, "There''s nontern here." Rhett held her hand and led her forward. "Come with me." She was led by Rhett as they ran forward. Antern was in the car. Rhett took out a lighter and lit thentern. They held a corner of thentern together. Rhett said to her, ¡°Dr. Parrish, you must make a wish sincerely, so the deities in heaven will hear it." They released thentern together. Grace watched thentern flying farther and farther away. She smiled with tears in her eyes. "Rhett, are you a fool? We''re in a foreign country. There is no deity but Satan.¡± Rhetts not discouraged but said sincerely, "If you tell me your wishes, I will fulfill them for you." Grace looked into his eyes, her heart racing. Rhett helped her adjust her clothes.. He took out a sparkler from somewhere and lit it. The sparkler burned gradually, much like a firework. As the river breeze blew, they began to fall for each other. After this day, Rhett no longer had wounds on his body, but he continued to visit Grace frequently. He even became acquainted with Grace''s coworkers just as much as Grace did. During this year, Grace epted Rhett under his persistent pursuit and agreed to go on their first date. Upon arriving at the designated square, she saw him ying with a band. He was standing in the center, guitar. His slender fingers plucking the strings produced a lovely melody. Along with the rest of the crowd, Grace stood in front of him and gazed up at him. Rhett held the microphone and spoke gently but firmly, "Grace, I like you!" One by one, white pigeons flew away as a fi¨¨rce wind blew up in the square. It was breathtakingly gorgeous. Unconsciously, Grace took a step toward him. Rhett insisted on finishing a song, removed his guitar, strode off stage, and ran toward Grace unwaveringly. The Lies He Told Me 187 "Grace, did you like the performance?" Despite having a face full of smiles. Rhett was bashful around his beloved. Grace grabbed his hand and ran away from the crowd after sensing the intense gazes of those around her. When Rhett saw Grace''s h Grace led him to the beach, where many people were feeding sea pigeons. She looked at the blue ocean, gradually calming down. She grinned and told Rhett, "You yed really well. I really enjoyed it. They were bathed in the warm sunshine. Rhett was captivated, with deep affection flowing in his eyes. "Grace, I should say I love you." Grace''s heart skipped a beat. She silently stared at Rhett''s face for a while. Following this day, their rtionship underwent a minor shift. Grace no longer resisted Rhett. Even her colleagues teased her, "Your suitor is here." Grace looked over and saw Rhett standing outside the hospital, raising his hand and smiling to greet her. She was amused by his action. She put aside her work and walked to him. "Why did youe over again?" Rhett grinned, but there was a hint of sadness on his face. "Grace, you are busy every day. I can only invite you out once every half a month." Grace looked at him, who had an aggrieved look. "I''m sorry about that. I''ll treat you to dinner." Rhett immediately beamed with smiles and left with Grace. Although Grace thought that he was sadfishing, she couldn''t help but smile at Rhett''s excited look. After they got out of the car, Rhett led her through the old streets and alleys. "These structures date back a century and have been preserved to this day." Grace was fascinated as she gazed down the alley, which seemed to have a historical feel to it. Rhett took out a ne, put it around Grace''s neck, and said, "I prayed to the deity for this ne; it will keep Grace lifted the ne and looked at it, her heart racing. "I like it very much. Thank you." At that moment, Grace received a call from the hospital requesting her to administer urgent treatment to a patient in need. Grace smiled apologetically at Rhett. "I need to go treat a patient in the hospital." Rhett wasn''t upset. He drove her back to the hospital. "Go ahead." Grace put on a white coat and waved goodbye to him. The colleague walking with her said. "This patient is a mob boss. We have to be careful." Grace stiffened briefly before rxing up. She would handle him like any other patient; being too nervous wouldn''t do any good. When Grace put on the gloves and disinfected him, the mob boss let out a painful cry. His men rushed in with knives in an instant. All of the doctors present were shocked, halting their activities. The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Everyone looked at each other in dismay. One gangster said fiercely, "If you don''t cure my boss, you will die!" Grace felt a jot at the silver-glowing knives. Rhett then walked in. He leaned against the door frame and looked at these gangsters coldly. "Kolton, do you know who I am?" The gangster boss lying on the hospital bed forced himself to open his eyes and look over upon seeing Rhett, he broke out in a cold sweat, his face instantly losing its bloody hue in terror. Based on Kolton''s reaction, Rhett knew that Kolton had recognized him. He raised a finger. "One count. Get out!" Kolton instantly said with a hoarse voice, "All of you, get out! And put away your knives!" Kolton''s men didn''t know Rhett, but they promptly orders and Deyed their boss''s Weft in a swarm Rhett, waited until it was quiet inside, smiled at Grace, and left. Grace was distracted by his smile. She then collected her thoughts and focused on the operation. By the time she was done, it was getting dark. When she returned to the office, she found Rhett dozing off on his forehead. She carefully covered him with a nket. Rhett suddenly held her hand and opened his eyes. Grace met his gaze. After a while, she said, "Rhett, I think I''m in love with you." Rhett chuckled and sped his fingers with hers. "Grace, I love you." Grace was awakened by the dazzling sunlight. She met Rhett''s smiling eyes. Grace couldn''t help pinching his face. So many years had passed, but he didn''t age at all. He remained the same as when they first met. Her pinching caused Rhett to grimace. He waspelled to lift his hand and take hers. "Grace, what''s wrong? You kept calling me by my namest night; it was really beautiful." The tender feeling inside disappeared instantly. She pped Rhett on the forehead. "Stop talking nonsense. Get up. I have a major operation to perform today." Rhett knew that it was about Grace''s illness. He didn''t argue and intended to stay with Colin at home. But Colin insisted on going to the hospital after learning that Grace was having the surgery. Colin pulled at Rhett''s trouser legs and begged, "Dad, that''s my godmother. I want her to see me the first thing when she wakes up!" Colin bothered him so much that Rhett had to nod in agreement. "Okay, I will take you there." Colin immediately let go of his hand andughed. Rhett shook his head frustratedly. Colin was like him when he was a child. After Grace arrived at the hospital, she greeted Andrew and entered the operating room. Everything was ready. Grace took a deep breath as she looked at Grace, who was breathing weakly. The operation was in progress. Rhett brought Colin to the hospital. Andrew stood at the door and saw Rhett, but his tense face did not soften. The Lies He Told Me 188 After a long while, Andrew slowly said, "Hi, guys." Rhett patted his shoulder without saying anything, knowing that he was worried about Grace. Colin, who was always naughty, watched the door of the operating room nervously. Time seemed to slow down although the clock kept ticking. Finally, eight hours had passed. Grace emerged from the room, looking exhausted. After reassuring Colin, who was sleeping, Rhett moved forward to hold. Grace. Despite the redness in his eyes, Andrew asked, "Ms. Parrish, how is it?" Grace pinched her eyebrows and nodded. "The operation was sessful. Grace will probably wake up this week. She will need to remain hospitalized for monitoring potential rejection responses. Andrew finally felt relieved, his face almost breaking into a smile but not quite managing it. Rhett kneaded her palm distressedly. "I''ll take you to rest." Grace shook her head, changed her clothes, and took Colin to the lounge for a nap. Rhett stayed with them, waiting for them to wake up. This night was destined to be restless. Worried about Grace, Grace went to Grace''s ward after a few hours'' sleep. Grace''s face was not as pale as before, ording to the doctor on duty. "Ms. Hewson''s recovery is going very well. It''s as if this heart has been waiting for her." Grace and Andrew nearby exchanged a nce and became heavy- hearted. She checked Grace''s condition. She couldn''t be at ease until she made sure Grace was doing fine. As Andrew watched Grace do the examination, he became nervous instantly when she sighed. "Ms. Parrish, is Grace''s body..." Grace interrupted him frustratedly, "You should go get some rest. If you fall ill, Grace will feel guilty when she wakes up. Besides, only you can tell her about what happened to Kash." Andrew shook his head frustratedly, looking at Grace with heartache. Before he went to rest, he said, "If Grace wakes up, please tell me." Grace nodded and urged him to rest. Grace and Andrew spent nearly all of their time in Grace''s ward this week. However, Grace hadn''t woken up after a week. Andrew and Grace. were anxious. "Kaff kaff." A sudden cough startled people in the room. Grace opened her eyes slowly, a drop of tears falling from the corner of her eye, her fingertips trembling. They all looked over. Grace called out in excitement, "Grace!" Andrew sat beside the bed, very excited, his eyes filled with too many 200 Rhett shook his head, waiting aside quietly with Colin. After a long time, Grace wiped the tears from her face. "Russell, I am going to pursue my happiness." Grace then walked toward Rhett and Colin. Rhett nodded slightly at Russell''s grave. However, just as they turned around to leave, they ran into Antonio and Omar. Antonio''s pupils dted and Omar looked surprised. But when they saw Rhett and Colin beside Grace, their expressions changed. Grace ignored Antonio, but when she passed by Omar, she stopped. "Omar, I take back what I said earlier. You are actually a very good child, and I really loved you." Omar quivered, his eyes filled with tears. "Mom." Grace and the others had already left. tears year''s face was covered w I his eyes were filledet "Mom, I wish you happiness." Grace snatched Colin from Rhett''s arms and raised her head proudly. "I saw you rolling your eyes at them just now." Rhett touched his nose, not expecting she would notice it. He felt a bit guilty. "I just don''t like that person!" Colin had the same attitude as Rhett. "You helped Mom vent her anger." Grace felt warm, smiling, "Okay, let''s go home! "We will stay in Drr City for a month before we fly back home. Otherwise, Grace will pester us again." Rhett stared at Colin with deep eyes and said with a smile, ¡°Grace seems upset. Doesn''t she always like Colin? We can have Colin stay with her for a month or two while we go traveling to rx." Colin agreed immediately. "Great! I like Grace. I want to keep herpany." When Grace thought of Grace''s beloved Kash, she subconsciously agreed. The father and son pped their hands quietly as if their n had seeded. Later. Grace realized their n, and she was about to beat them up. Rhett took Colin and ran away. Colin smiled, "Dad, run!" They walk in the afterglow of the setting sun, their shadows entwined. The three of them were heading toward a happy future. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 189 Grace Parrish and Antonio Kaufman had been dating secretly for ten years, and all the servants in the Kaufman residence said Grace was just his ything. When Grace heard Antonio''ment in the private room as he smoked, "Grace''s mom used to work as a maid in our house. I''m okay with sleeping with her, but I''ll never marry her," she felt her world destroyed She left with tears in her eyes. Later that very day, she registered her marriage with another man. Once she calmed down, the following day, she went back to the Kaufman residence, and submitted her resignation to Antonio. Antonio flipped through the document. He raised his chin and asked, "Why?" "I''m married now, and nning to be a full-time housewife," Grace firmly replied. Antonio chuckled, he didn''t believe her. "You got married? When did that happen? Where was the wedding held?" The rapid-fire questions plunged the office into a long moment of silence. Grace replied, "My husband has ast-minute trip abroad, so we''ll have the official wedding when he returns." Antonio'' smile faded over the word ''husband." "What''s his name?" Grace bit her lower lip. Despite Devin''s gentlemanly behavior during their marriage registration the day before, the process was rushed, and Grace hadn''t asked if he was willing to make it public. So she chose to remain silent, and Antonio curled his lips, certain that Grace was lying. Just then, the phone rang, breaking the tension between them. Antonio pressed the answer button. When he heard the voice on the other end, his expression immediately. softened. "Baby, is that you, Livia? I''ll be right there." He quickly stood up and grabbed his coat. Then he passed by Grace. "Go ahead and resign. Just remember the procedure." And then he left. She needed toplete a one- month handover before she could leave her service to the Kaufman family. She rxed at this thought. She was so sad and disappointed that Antonio had no feelings for her at all, but the good side was that she only had to endure it for one month. Grace''s mother Liana Cline had worked for the Kaufman family for decades, and they arranged Grace''s schooling together with Antonio. She had a secret crush on him for quite some time, but she knew about the difference in their social status and had never told anyone about her secret. When Grace was 18, Antonio, drunk and disoriented, stumbled into her room and had a one- night stand with her. The next morning, while he fastened the buttons on his shirt, he asked, "You always blush when you see me. Do you have a crush on me?" Grasping the nket tightly, Grace felt a surge of panic wash over her. Antonio turned around and kissed her cheek. "Do you think I like you?" She guessed he did. Over the years, their rtionship continued in the same way, with et nothing changing much. They kad sex almost in every corner house, but always in secret. Antonio surprised Grace with a message the day before everything changed, informing her that he would be taking her to a wee party and emphasizing that she should dress to impress. What was most surprising was that, during all this time they had been together, although he spent every night with her, he never took her to such asions. So she thought that he intended to make their rtionship public. The idea filled her with excitement.. The taxi stopped in the parking lot. She stepped down and heard some familiar voicesing from the sports car next to her. They were Antonio'' friends. "Are you really nning on taking Grace to the party? What if others find out about her background?" "Her mother was a maid. Aren''t you worried about what they''ll say?" Antonio lit a cigarette, replying, "If Livia can date such a low- ss man, why can''t I bring a woman of lower status to the party?" Liana died in that ident, and Devin promised Grace he would marry her, and take care of her for life. Grace had refused at the time, but now she asked Devin if he was willing to marry her. Devin agreed without hesitation, and that afternoon, the two registered their marriage. After dropping Grace off at the Kaufman''s home, Devin told her that he had some matters to attend to abroad, so the wedding would have to wait until a monthter. Grace agreed, since by that time, she would finally have the ability to leave Antonio''spany. The Lies He Told Me 190 Livin had been abroad for years, and her sudden return vs sand to be dis to a breakup with her long-time boyfriend in that country Years ago, she had defied her parents for Antonio, but the ss differews between them ultimately led them to break up Her sudden return meant she hadn''t yet purchased many daily necessities or even furnishings. So Antonio took Grace to help out Grace didn''t want to go, but since her resignation was still in process and Antonio was still her boss, she had no reason to refuss On the way there, Antonio kept reminding Grace not to let Lavia carry or lift anything, as she was already exhausted from flight Grace silently nodded, she didn''t care, she only wanted to do her job and go back to her room, away from him. Antonio did not even introduce them to each other, and Grace had to watch him embrace her and push about her looks. Later he took Livia to the mall, and refused to let her pay for anything. charging everything she wanted on his card. "Don''t worry, just let Grace carry the bags," he told Livia once when she was going to grab one of the things they bought. After finishing their shopping. Grace tiredly followed the two, listening to them chat about old times "Antonio, do you remember how you had flowers flown in from Lumoria for my birthday? I haven''t got flowers from anyone in all the years I was abroad." Grace had also received flowers, and she had been thrilled for ages. Now she knew that they were actually for celebrating Livia''s birthday. "Every time we went out, you would take me to that dessert shop to cat our fill. I wonder if it''s still around after all this time." It hasn''t closed down.'' Grace answered inwardly. Two months ago, Antonio had taken her there. The ck forest cakes there were delicious, and he always ordered two servings. Now she knew, that was because Livia liked them too. Grace started to question herself about everything that had happened. while they were together during all those years. Did he really enjoy doing all those activities they did together? Or was it just because they reminded him of Livia? Was blue really his favorite color? The one he insisted on her to wear most of the time? Or was it Livia''s? The three walked slowly, one after vel the other, As Antonio and Livia continued talking about old memories, Grace could find simr memories in her own mind. It was only then when she realized all the pampering Antonio had shown her was because of Livia. The flowers, the choctes, the elegant scarfs that she could clearly see now Livia wore. Did the sexy lingerie he gave her was also meant to be because it reminded him of his precious Livia? Grace stopped herself from overthinking and focused on the work she had to do. After half a day, the empty room was tidied up. Not only had she cleaned everything, she had also organized all very professionally. Livia was satisfied with Grace''s efficiency. So she turned to Antonio. "I forgot to ask, who is thisdy?" Antonio replied, "Oh, this is Grace, she works at our home." "Oh, really? I don''t remember seeing her before," Livia mentioned. Antonio scratched his head and nodded, looking at Grace a bit confused. as if searching what to say about her. "Grace''s mom had worked for us for years, and she always had Grace with her, A few years ago, she- passed away. Since Grace had no amily. she stayed on. Now she works as my assistant. Livia''s eyes showed a hint of surprise, which quickly changed to a smile.. "How nice your family is." Livia draped her arm over Antonio'' shoulder. "You are an incredible boss, I am sure." Grace let her eyes drop, staring at her shoes. Just then, Livia turned her head and caught sight of Grace''s ring. She asked, "Grace, I''ve seen this ring before. It''s quite valuable. Looks like Yo pays you well." Grace focused her eyes on what Livia said. Looking at the sparkling The Lies He Told Me 191 Livia''s ce was not very big, but to get everything in order for just one person, it made Grace very tired. She was not going to let her emotions and feelings ruin her professionalism, so she focused on making sure every corner of the ce looked pristine. The floors were shiny, the windows too, and while they wereughing in the living room, she even made sure to clean the bathroom and fix the bed. Once everything was done, Livia saw Grace and Antonio off at the garage, very happy and smiling. Before leaving, Liviaplimented Grace once more, "Antonio, your assistant is very efficient. I''m not very familiar with many things since I just got back. If it''s not too much trouble, could you give me her conta Antonio, of course, wouldn''t turn her down. He was, of course, nervous about having both of them alone together, but he could not refuse her request. "Sure, what''s mine is yours. I''ll send you her contact infoter. You can just give her instructions if you need anything." "Oh, I will, thank you so much!" Livia responded excitedly. On the way home, Grace was in silence. In her mind, she was still struggling to understand how her life had changed so drastically in thest few days. Going from being Antonio'' lover, to just the servant that cl Antonio thought she was angry about what had just happened. He even thought about apologizing for just agreeing to lend her to Livia like an object. Just as he was about to ask, his gaze was drawn to the ring on her finger, and he chuckled, "Marriage, wedding ring- how long are you going to pretend? Isn''t it tiring?" Grace sighed and patiently exined again, "I''m not pretending, this is indeed my wedding ring." As she spoke, she kept her eyes fixed on the road ahead, which made Antonio ufortable, but he did not want to upset her, fearing she would tell something to Livia. Antonio assumed Grace was feeling guilty and reminded her again. "To me, Livia is different from everyone else. Don''t make any unnecessaryments in front of her." His words were a clear warning, but Grace just pursed her lips and said nothing further. A week before, seeing Antonio care so much for Livia might have sparked jealousy in Grace. But now that she knew he never wanted her, and she was married, she no longer cared about whom he liked or disliked. A flicker of helplessness crossed Grace''s mind, thinking of how that one month of work was going to feel like an eternity, and she sighed softly. In the following days, after friending Grace on Facebook, Livia would asionally ask her to do some errands. She asked Grace to handle lost passport issues, contact the police for missing items at home, and even grab theater tickets. While Grace was busy with work at the Kaufman''s residence, she also had to deal with Livia''s requests, so she got only about four hours of rest each day. She tactfully tried to suggest to Antonio that he should hire a professional assistant for Livia. But Antonio refused that idea. Grace had no choice but to continue juggling both jobs, and she did her best to remember to eat and sleep only the necessary in order not to waste time and keep both Antonio and Livia happy. But the truth was, she was sometimes forgetting to eat, or even fix her bed. She was forgetting simple things she used to do for herself, to the point where she almost forgot about Devin too. So when she received his call, she was caught by surprise. Devin asked in a gentle and polite tone, "Are you busy? I hope I''m not interrupting. I''m just wondering if you would like to have our wedding in Nelykon." "A wedding in Nelykon?" Grace repeated the words out loud. She knew that the Nelykon hotel wast very elitist and hard to get a reservation at. Before she could say anything else, the door to the room was abruptly pushed open. Antonio walked in, staring at Grace with a dark and cold gaze. "What wedding?" Startled, Grace immediately hung up the phone and stood up. "I was discussing my wedding with my husband." Before entering. Antonio had some suspicions. But seeing Grace hang up the phone in panic, he thought she was acting. "Don''t forget to drop me a wedding invitation." An invitation? For him?. Since she had zero experience in such things, Grace hadn''t thought about making invitations. That also made her remember she didn''t even know who she would invite, and what else was needed to organize. She would have to talk to Devin again about this at some point. "The invitations haven''t been made yet. Once they''re ready, I''ll give you one." Grace responded while she fixed her clothes. "The wedding is in less than a month, and you haven''t prepped the invitations?" Antonio chuckled. "I''ve been too busytely, working here and for Livia, and forgot about it." Grace exined calmly. Antonio knew she was right, so he just gave a nod with a lift of his chin. "Alright, I''ll be waiting for that invitation." The Lies He Told Me 192 By the weekend. Grace packed her things and left the Kaufman''s residence. Carrying her suitcase, she happened to bump into Antonio as he wasing home. She wanted to avoid seeing him, but now she had to talk to him. Noticing his serious stare, she put down the suitcase and exined briefly. "Mr. Kaufman, since I''m married, I n to move out." Antonio''s voice was icy. "Don''t make your marriage the topic of every conversation. Do you think I''ll forget? And also, you''re not part of this family, so feel free to move out whenever you like." His words hurt her. Where was the Antonio who had made love to her so many times? The man in front of her was not the same. Grace sensed his anger and didn''t say anything more about the topic. "Before you ''move'' though, I have next week off and will be vacationing in Drakoria with Livia. Make a travel n for us. She just nodded, moving her suitcase aside, and walking to his study room where she sat and started to take notes. From the hotel to personnel, from the weather to preferences, Antonio talked for over half an hour, going into meticulous detail. Having known him for ten years, Grace was seeing for the first time how much he cared about someone. Looking at the pages and pages of annotations in her hand, organized in her head everything she needed to do and who she had to call in order of priority. It was not going to take her too long, because she had organized trips for Antonio before, so she had contacts to most of the people she needed to reach. She took a deep breath and couldn''t help but think of the past. She knew Drakoria was beautiful. It was a city nestled amidst towering. snow- capped peaks, is a breathtaking spectacle of glistening ciers and cascading waterfalls. It was a city of dreams, a ce where the beauty of nature meets the vibrancy of urban life, creating an unforgettable experience for its visitors. Before Livia returned, Grace had mentioned several times that she wanted. to go there and even made it a birthday wish. She knew about the city''s rich history and famous architecture, which mixed ancient stone structures and modern ss edifices. She wanted to see the popr streets and the malls. But no matter how much she pleaded, Antonio never agreed. He always said he was too busy with work to spend time with her on a trip. That was another Antonio, she thought to herself, and she resigned to the thought that she never knew the real Antonio. Grace arranged everything for Antonio and Livia, and for the next seven days, without the constant phone calls, she could finally get some proper rest. Livia posted many photos every day, covering everything fromndscapes to cuisine, and from selfies to couple shots. But one day, Devin''s secretary sent her an unexpected message, saying that Devin would take Grace to see a new ce for them. His secretary came to pick her up, and she was very polite and quiet. They headed to the vi district in Zephyria. After they checked out just two houses, an emergency at the office called the secretary away. Left to wander on her own in the huge Vi, Grace found the ce to be incredible, but she had seen enough, and decided to head back. Just as she reached the door, she heard two familiar voices outside, probably next to the vi. "Antonio, why did you suddenly decide to buy me a house?" "You like shopping, don''t you? This ce is located in Zephyria, surrounded by malls.¡± Impressed by Antonio'' kindness, Livia didn''t refuse anymore. "How sweet. you are. You''re as thoughtful as ever." Midway through their conversation, Livia was surprised to see Graceing out of the residential house next to them. "What are you doing here?" she asked. fo Seeing Grace, Antonio turned furious. "Are you spying on me again?" Grace hadn''t expected to run into Antonio and hastily exined, "No, I came to see the house." "Seeing the house right here? Grace, do you know how much the houses. in this arca cost?" Livia asked, her face filled with disbelief. Antonio also found it absurd, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Don''t tell me this is you and your husband''s new home." Grace hesitated for a few seconds before nodding Livia nced at the house beside them on Grace''s finger, her curiosity piqued. "What''s your husband''s name?" then at the wedding ring Grace remained silent, worried that Livia and Antonio might cause trouble for Devin. Noticing her silence. Antonio unfurled his brows. "If you''re here to buy a house and have seen enough, you should call your husband and settle it now. Otherwise. I might just take it off your hands. His gaze was unwavering, with a deliberate emphasis on the word husband.'' The vi was great, and the secretary had said it was the type Devin liked, so Grace was ready to close the deal. She knew Antonio, with hispetitive nature, would also be after it. So she called Devin. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 193 After several rings, the phone still wasn''t connected, and Grace started to feel embarrassed. The seconds ticked by, and Antonio lost his patience. He didn''t believe her after all, and no longer wanted to witness any more of Grace''s acts there. Suddenly, a car came straight towards the three of them. "Watch out!" Antonio said, and without thinking, he shielded Livia and moved her to safety. The car was half a meter away when Grace noticed the danger and tried to dodge, but she ended up rolling away with half her body scraping against the car. The ident terrified Livia into screaming. "Oh my god!" "Baby, rx, I got you," Antonio held Livia lovingly. Worried about Livia, Antonio didn''t have time to deal with Grace. He picked Livia up and left in his car. Grace tumbled several meters away, her calf scraped raw and exposed, making her quiver with pain. Just as she pushed herself up from the ground, Antonio sped past her in his car. He never once nced at the injured Grace, and she held back the tears that wanted toe out of her so much. Dust filled the air, making Grace cough violently, and her eyes turned even redder from the irritation. Finally, as she calmed down, her phone, which had fallen aside, started ringing with a voice. In the middle of all themotion, the call had finally been connected. "Grace, what''s wrong?" Hearing Devin''s voice, Grace quickly picked up her phone. "Nothing, just a sore throat. Don''t worry." Devin sighed. "Are you sure you are ok? Do you need to go to the doctor?" She quickly responded. ¡°No, no, I am ok. I wanted to tell you that I found a house. It might be a bit pricey, though. Do you want to see the photos?" From the phone came Devin''s deep voice. "No need. If you''re happy with it, I am too. After all, you''ll be in charge of household matters." Grace smiled, masking her pain with a cheerful response, "Then let''s get this one." Devin had no objections, and Grace didn''t want to disturb him any further. As she was about to end the call, his soft voice reached her ear. "Grace, we are husband and wife now. No matter what happens to you, you''ve got to let me know, OK?" Grace hesitated for a moment, then softly responded with a yes. She hobbled alone to the hospital and ended up getting more than ten stitches. Antonio never tried to even call her to see if she was ok. After a few days of recuperation in the hospital, Grace was back at the Kaufman''s residence to continue her work. Just as she wrapped up the arrangements for a meeting Antonio had in two days, Morton Leach, one of Antonio''pany''s staff knocked and entered, his face full with worry. "Grace, do you know where Mr. Kaufman is? We can''t reach him, and Highfair Group is pressing us to send over the contract today. What should we do?" Having been closely involved with the project of Highfair Group, Grace was well aware of its significance. She couldn''t bear to see all the months of their hard work go to waste, so she took the documents and decided to give it a try. Grace hailed a cab, opened Livia''s Instagram, and gave the driver the address of the hot spring resort Livia had shared an hour earlier. On her way, she called Antonio several times but couldn''t get through, which made her anxious. Were they going to be there when she got there? When she arrived at the resort, Livia and Antonio were having coffee. The moment he saw her, Antonio'' smiling face clouded over. "What are you doing here?" Grace knew this would spoil his good mood, but given the urgency, she had no choice but to patiently exin herself. "This is about the Highfair Group, and they asked Mr. Morton to send the contract today." Hearing that it was about work, Livia stood up. "Antonio, if you have to deal with work, let''s head back." Antonio was furious, he had nned this date with Livia for a long time. "Didn''t I tell you not to disturb us?" He flipped the table over in anger, casting a cold nce at Grace before striding ahead with Livia. The scalding hot coffee spilled on Grace''s wound, making her gaspin pain. She shuddered, and tried to quickly dry the bandage on her arm with some napkins. Antonio had never told her that this date was so important. He only told. her to make sure to reserve the location in advance and to make sure it was this specific resort. Antonio'' obsession with Livia had consumed him entirely. His once sharp. focus on his work and the sess of hispany had been reced by a singr devotion to fulfilling Livia''s every desire. His world now revolved around her, his every thought and action. dedicated to pleasing her. The ambitious and driven businessman that Antonio once was, was a mere shadow of his former self. His neglect of his responsibilities was a stark contrast to his previous diligence, a clear indication of how deeply Livia had captivated him. She could see his transformation was a testament to the overwhelming. power of his love for her, a love that had blinded him to all else. Had she known how much he favored Livia, she would never have spent all those years on him. And she wouldn''t have turned down numerous offers to stay by his side ast an assistant. Grace limped her way to the roadside. The taxi that had been there was gone, and the resort''s shuttles were not around either. Grace knew this was Antonio'' way of punishing her. With a heavy sigh, she began the trek down the mountain in her high heels. The Lies He Told Me 194 It was a ten-kilometer journey. Grace didn''t get home until dark. The old wound on her leg hadn''t healed. During this long walk, she fell multiple times because she couldn''t see clearly in the dark, leaving her covered in mud stains. Her legs were also rubbed with blisters and After removing her high heels, she limped into the living room. She was about to take a seat and properly tend to her wounds when a sneer erupted from the front. "You deliberately disturbed me and Livia. Do you think it''s funny?" Grace raised her head and met Antonio''s angry gaze. She stood up, holding her sore waist, lowered her head, and spoke in a t and respectful tone. "Mr. Kaufman, I really came to deliver the document. I didn''t know how important Ms. Fischer is to you. I''m sorry." After saying that, she handed him the document that she had been holding and waiting for him to sign all day. Antonio grabbed it expressionlessly, opened it, and tore the pages into pieces in front of her. Then he raised the stic shell and smashed it directly on her. "I don''t tolerate people with ulterior motives around me. If you repeat what you did today, you''ll be fired!" After saying that, he mmed the door and left without looking back. Looking at the scraps of paper scattered on the floor, Grace slowly squatted down against the coffee table. She took out a tissue and wiped the blood off her legs before bursting outughing. She thought. "Repeat? It won''t happen again." She was going to be gone in just ten days. When Grace arrived at thepany the next day, Morton personally delivered a document. Grace opened it and nced at it roughly. It was a penalty notice, fining her half a year''s sry and year-end bonus. Morton also told her that thepany had issued a new regtion. From now on, whenever Livia and Antonio were together, no one was allowed to disturb them. Grace was a cautionary example. Grace did not raise any objections. She quickly signed the notice, picked up the coffee cup, and went to the pantry. Due to this regtion, everyone in thepany began gossiping about. Antonio and Livia. Some people with connections even dug up a lot of their pasts and spread them widely. "I heard that the Clouvile project was opened for Ms. Fischer. Mr. Kaufman bought it because she likes skiing.¡± "Mr. Kaulinan asked me to buy a set of jewelry the other day, and it up Ms. Fischer''s hands. ended the news." it on Grace listened silently without interfering, concentrating on making coffee. Aware that she had been wronged, several colleagues came over tofort her. "Grace, you did nothing wrong in this matter. We believe this is a disaster you don''t deserve. Why don''t you go apologize to Mr. Kaufman and try to make things right?" fo Grace shook her head, her tone quite rxed. "I''m leaving soon. I won''t get the money anyway. Forget it." Upon hearing this, everyone in the pantry gathered around and started asking questions. "Are you leaving for real? We thought you were joking. Will Mr. Kaufman agree?" "Yeah, you''ve worked for him for so many years. Doesn''t he even try to keep you?" Grace smiled, ncing at everyone, her tone extremely sincere. "That''s right. I''ll be gone in nine days. See you again if fate allows." When the news was released, many colleagues came to bid farewell to Grace. Fortunately, Antonio had note to the office or contacted her days as he had been busy apanying Livia. Contoveless She enjoyed the leisure and slowly wrapped up the few projects she had in hand. Two days before she left, she had just returned home when Livia called. "Grace, are you avable now? Could you bring some stomach medicine. to my house? Antonio has a stomachache." The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! The Lies He Told Me 195 Grace took the medicine and rushed to the Fischer''s residence. After taking out two pills from the medicine box, Livia picked up a ss of water and wanted to feed Antonio herself. He subconsciously turned his head to look at Grace, not used to Livia''s sudden disy of intimacy. At the sight of Grace''s expressionless face, Antonio immediately realized that his action seemed odd, so he quickly looked away and took the medicine. After watching him swallow it, Livia set the ss down, picked up a pillow, and positioned it behind his neck, then turned to face Grace. "I remember Antonio was in good health. Why did he suddenlye down with a stomach ailment?" After casting a nce at Antonio, who had kept his head down, Grace exined tonelessly, "After you left the country, Mr. Kaufman became addicted to alcohol. He would get wasted around five times a month. Halfway through her words, the silent Antonio suddenly raised his head and nced at her, seemingly shocked that she would actually help him in his pursuit. "You''re talking so much. Can you shut up? You''ve delivered the medicine. Why don''t you leave?" Grace had no idea what she had said that had enraged him again. She didn''t want to dwell on it though. She nodded slightly, turned around, and left the vi. As she walked out of the elevator, she heard whispering sounds in the garage. She walked lightly and saw the drivers from the Kaufman and Fischer families. ¡°Mr. Kaufman has been with Ms. Fischer every day recently. Are they going to marry soon?" "No way. Ms. Fischer just broke up with her boyfriend not long ago. I saw her eyes red the other day. Can she get over it so fast?" "You don''t understand. After a breakup, one will always get over it. She will eventually be moved by a man as wonderful as Mr. Kaufman, who genuinely cares for her." Listening to the two people chatting, for some reason, Grace smiled with relief. Antonio had been waiting for Livia for twelve years. A man as infatuated as him would surely win the woman he desired. However, that had nothing to do with her. Grace was about to start a new life. The day before leaving, Antonio still hadn''t returned. Grace followed Devin''s secretary to the store and picked out a wedding dress that she really liked. After arriving home, she sorted out all the things rted to Antonio, burned what could be burned, and threw away what couldn''t. Seeing the room she had lived in for ten years now empty, she turned off the light and fell asleep quietly. On the day of her departure, the rm clock woke her up at 8 am. She rubbed her eyes, got up to wash up and put on makeup, and then went to thepany toplete the resignation procedures. When she got home, she put thest few necessities into the box and closed the door. ording to the housekeeper, Antonio had returned. Grace thought she should say goodbye, so she dragged her suitcase to his bedroom and knocked on the door gently. A minuteter, the door opened. With half of his body out of the door, Antonio asked her indifferently what the matter was. Before Grace could say anything, a sneering expression appeared on his face again as his eyes caught the suitcase behind her. "Are you trying to tell me that you''re leaving because you''re getting married and moving into a new house?" Grace could tell he was being sarcastic. This time, she answered him. seriously. "Yes, I''m getting married tomorrow and moving away. I came to say goodbye. "You and Ms. Fischer are wee toe if you are avable. I will keep the bouquet for Ms. Fischer." Seeing her acting so convincingly, Antonio felt like wanting topliment her acting skills. He was about to speak when his cell phone rang a few times. Livia sent him messages. As he checked them, he picked up his coat and headed outside. Before leaving, he turned around and looked at Grace, his tone as arrogant as ever. "Grace. I''m not that patient. I''m telling you onest time. Stop acting." Watching his receding figure, Grace smiled calmly. "Antonio, I''m not acting. I''m really getting married tomorrow. "It''s true. I''m leaving." After saying this, Grace took onest look around the house that held many of her memories. She had been entangled with Antonio for ten years. Grace thought, "Antonio, one day you will realize that the cheap woman in your eyes may be someone else''s treasure." She picked up her phone and sent a message to Devin, "Mr. Hudson, the wedding will be held tomorrow. Have you returned from abroad?" With a ding, she instantly received Devin''s reply, "I havended at the airport and will be at the wedding promptly. Mrs. Hudson, please be my girl for the rest of my life." When she saw his reply, she instantly felt at ease. She smiled gently while turning around with her suitcase. She left Antonio and the Kaufinan family resolutely without looking back. The Lies He Told Me 196 The next day. Antonio went to thepany as usual and sent for Grace to make coffee. However, he was told that Grace hadpleted the procedures and resigned. Antonio was so angry that he almost smashed the entire floor. It never urred to him that Grace would resign after he had just been with Livia for more than a month. He tore the resignation application into pieces but still couldn''t vent his anger. Thus, he got up and went straight back home, ready to settle ounts with her. The moment he reached the door, the housekeeper came up to tell him that Grace had moved out yesterday. Upon hearing this, Antonio was fuming. He took out his cell phone with a sullen face and made a call. After the call was connected, he didn''t give the other party a chance to speak and started scolding harshly, "Grace, you''re never going to stop. with this fake marriage act, are you? If you really want to leave, do Grace was unfazed by his anger. As if she was giving a work report, she said, "Mr. Kaufman, I won''t be back. Don''t worry. I didn''t lie to you. I''m really getting married today." Abruptly, the housekeeper patted his head, took out an invitation from his pocket, and handed it to Antonio. "Mr. Kaufman, Grace gave me this invitation yesterday. He asked me to pass it to you today.¡± When he saw the gold- foil stamped words "We''re Getting Married" on the title page. Antonio''s face turned red with rage. He snatched the invitation and threw it to the driver, asking him to rush to the wedding venue immediately. Along the way, his mind was in utter turmoil. He kept reying the scene. of Grace carrying the suitcase yesterday in his head, his face gloomy. After the driver parked the car, he opened the door and walked into the elevator. When he came out, he saw the spacious hall filled with banquet tables. and flowers adorning every corner both on and off the stage. His heart sank. Several receptionists came forward to greet him. He asked someone to take him directly to the backstage. Antonio''s forehead bulged with rage when he saw Grace wearing a wedding gown. He looked around but didn''t see the groom. The clock on the wall showed eleven- fifty, with only ten minutes left until the wedding started. After realizing something was off, Antonio snatched the invitation from. the driver. When he opened it and saw "Devin Hudson" written as the groom, his lost reason returned. "Devin? Your husband is Devin?" Antonio cast a sidelong nce at Grace, his tone full of sarcasm. At the mention of the name, the people who followed himughed. "Isn''t it that son of the Hudson family? Will he marry a nanny''s daughter?" "What a joke! Given the Hudson family''s status, Grace is not even worthy of being his mistress!" Listening to theughter of his friends, Antonio grew increasingly convinced that all of this was a carefully staged show. He wasn''t in the mood to argue with her now. Unlike usual, he patiently said a few words to her. "I will let go of everything that happened. Juste back with me." wedding Grace calmly adjustedings dress. "Thank you for being so magnanimous. But I''m sorry.) my wedding day, and I don''t n to go back." Antonio had never experienced such a rejection. His anger red up instantly when he saw her determined face. He raised his hand to smash the champagne tower beside him. He was about to hurl the long- prepared rebukes when he received an unexpected phone call. Antonio looked down at the caller ID on the screen, hesitating whether to answer the call first or finish cursing, when Grace suddenly spoke, "Ms. Fischer is calling. Are you sure you want to stay here?" Antonio was certain that all this was just a farce and that she didn''t have a groom today. He raised his chin, casting a sidelong nce at her, his voice cold. "Of course not. Livia is much more important than you! "Carry on with your wedding. I want to see who will marry you!" After saying this. Antonio turned around and strode away from the wedding scene. Grace didn''t say a word. After seeing him leave, she lifted her skirt and walked to the front hall. The waiter walked up to her and asked in a low voice, "Ms. Parrish, that gentleman has left with a few friends. Do you think it''s okay for the wedding to start now?" The "Wedding March" began to y on time as the clock struck twelve, apanied by the sound of a car starting outside the window. The next second, the tightly closed door opened. The Lies He Told Me 197 Devin in a ck suit pushed open the door under the expectant gaze of the people in the hall. After fastening thest cufflink, he walked up to Grace and greeted her with a smile. "I''m sorry I''mte." "You''re just in time. It''s not toote." Devin''s smile widened as he listened to her soft constion. He held out a hand, his eyes full of tenderness and determination. "Let''s get it started." Grace ced her hand in his palm. Amid the screams and blessings from the audience, the newlyweds slowly walked into the venue. Outside the window, firecrackers roared, and pale pink rose petals fell slowly, with shes of light from cameras continuously below the stage. Except for Devin, everything around her was unfamiliar. Actually, Grace was not that familiar with Devin. She felt dazed as if everything had been a dream. The host had perfect control over the wedding process. Soon, it was time to exchange rings. When Devin lifted her hand and gently put the ring on her ring finger, she truly felt that she was the center of this wedding. Since Liana passed away three years ago, Grace had no family left in this world. She stayed with the Kaufman family because she had no family and not ce to live. After today, she had a new family and loved ones; she was no longer alone. Grace didn''t know what the future held. She lowered her eyes, stared at the ring on her hand, and prayed inwardly. "May today be the beginning of tomorrow, not the end of yesterday." Seeing her in a trance, Devin held her hand and sped it. The warmth from his palm warmed Grace''s hand. She subconsciously raised her head, only to meet his soft gaze. Up to this point, everyone in the audience cheered for them to kiss. Grace and Devin had only met twice, despite having been chatting for more than a month. So when Grace heard the chanting, she felt slightly nervous, her face flushing with embarrassment. Devin was rtively calm. He leaned over and asked softly, "May I?" Grace was already ready when he leaned over. But then his polite question made her slightly flustered. Devin caught the emotional changes on her face, understanding her feelings. With a smile, he lifted her hand and gently ced a kiss on the back of her hand, ready to let go. The light touch on her hand startled Grace. Nevertheless, this did not cause the chanting to stop; rather, it intensified, getting louder by the second. A frustrated smile shed across Devin''s face. He was about to turn around and urge the host to start the next procedure when Grace stood on tiptoe and put her arm around his shoulders. Their hot breaths entwined as they stood so close. In his eyes full of surprise, Grace went all out and kissed him on the lips. The audience suddenly erupted in thunderous apuse. The reporters who had snuck in used cameras to capture the moment. Five minutester, the topic "the Hudson Group CEO''s Grand Wedding", apanied by a dozen newly released on-site photos, ned the headlines. This breaking news caused heated discussion as soon as it was released. On the way back, Wade was bored and scrolling through his phone. When he saw this trending topic, he unconsciously started reading it. "The CEO of the Hudson Group is getting married. Is Devin getting married?" This question did not attract the attention of the people in the car at first. They finally realized what was happening when the driver murmured, "What a coincidence! Ms. Parrish''s groom is also called Devin." Wade clicked on the photo to zoom in. The moment he saw the bride''s face clearly, his eyes widened in surprise. He moved from thest row to the middle and handed the phone to Antonio, his voice extremely urgent. "Antonio, look at this woman that Devin married. She looks like Grace to me." The Lies He Told Me 198 The woman in the snapshot, from her bridal gown to her makeup, looked just like Grace, who he''d seen not long ago. Antonio''s face dropped the cool act the second he saw the photo. He grabbed the phone and flipped through the photos. When he saw the kissing one, his head almost blew a fuse. A panic he''d never felt before surged through him. His hands trembling, he fumbled for his phone and dialed Grace. He kept calling, but it went to voicemail every time. Fury was eating away at his sanity. The endless beeping made him snap, smashing his phone on the seat. Clenching his teeth, he ordered the driver to turn around. His friends were too scared to say anything, until Wade Hunt, with some bravery, spoke up, "N- Antonio, Livia is waiting for you." "Go back!" His roar sent a chill down the driver''s spine. Not bothering with traffic rules, the driver made a quick U- turn and sped off toward Nelykon. The sports car roared into the hotel again. Antonio ran up the stairs, not even waiting for the elevator. In the lobby, the wedding was done, and they were doing the rounds of toast. Grace, in a wedding dress, was with Devin, meeting his family and friends. They were in the middle of the toast when hotel security came in chasing Antonio, getting everyone''s attention. With everyone looking on, Antonio didn''t hesitate. He rushed over to Grace, grabbing her wrist and trying to pull her away. Grace was taken aback by his return, trying to steady herself and break free from his grip. But he was too strong for her. She stumbled and fell to the floor. Devin was quick to kneel down and help her up. Seeing the red marks on her leg, he couldn''t hide his worry. Once Grace was on her feet again, Antonio made another grab for her, but Devin stepped in, standing protectively in front of her. His face, usually so friendly, was now cold as a winter''s day, his eyes icy. as he stared at the intruder. "Antonio, I''d appreciate it if you''d treat my wife with some respect!" The word ''wife'' sparked a sh of rage in Antonio''s eyes. "Your wife? You must be mistaken, Mr. Hudson. Grace works for me at the Kaufman Group!" His statement left everyone in earshot stunned. They wondered, "So Devin''s secret wife was also Antonio''s assistant?" Feeling the weight of the curious and malicious nces, Grace took a steadying breath and met Antonio''s gaze with an untroubled calm. "Mr. Kaufman, my resignation has been submitted. It''s just a formality now." Antonio was well aware of her resignation. His words were a power y, a bid to assert his control. But her public defiance was not what he expected, and it made him furious. "You resigned, but don''t forget, your mother has served the Kaufman family for thirty years, and you''ve lived in the Kaufman''s home for ten. dinthe How can you just turn your back like this?" For the first time, a flicker of amusement crossed Grace''s face at his usation. "Mr. Kaufman, this is a business matter, nothing more. You''re a man of importance. Why would you be concerned with someone aso insignificant as me?" Her words seemed to resonate with the onlookers, who nodded in agreement. In Cruxfield, it was no secret that Antonio and Livia had a thing going on. It was out of character for him to be involved with an assistant. With just a few casual remarks, Grace managed to distance herself from him. Antonio''s gaze turned colder, and he shot Devin a sidelong nce. "You, as a servant''s daughter, are not in the league of the et family, but can you really reach the Hudson family''s high standing? You should. know your ce!" The Lies He Told Me 199 Grace had been by Antonio''s side for ten years, and she''d heard every kind. of sneer and taunt there was. She was past being bothered by them. She was trying to think of something to say when Devin, standing right. there with her, didn''t back down but met Antonio''s gaze straight on. "Antonio, what you said isn''t right. In the Hudson family, we believer everyone is equal. There''s no hierarchy. Grace and I are a perfect match, and she''s no longer tied to the Kaufman family. You''re way out of li Antonio was left speechless, his face turning red from embarrassment. He clenched his fists, his face twisted in anger. His buddies, sensing things were getting ugly, hurried over to pull him away. With his anger boiling over, Antonio hurled harsh words at Grace. "If your marry him today, don''t ever step into the Kaufman''s ce again!" Under his furious re, Grace nodded gently, a faint smile on her lips. ¡°Mr. Kaufman, don''t worry. It''s a given.¡± Hearing her faint voice, Antonio felt like his efforts were in was hitting a wall of fluff. in as if he With a dark look, he gave her onest, long look, then pushed past everyone, and stormed off. The waiters quickly cleaned up the mess, and Devin breathed a sigh of relief. After exining to the guests and signaling for the party to go on, he helped Grace to the back. With the onlookers gone, it was just the two of them, a couple still finding their footing with each other. Grace''s face was etched with regret as she met Devin''s gaze, her voice heavy with apologies. "I''m sorry. I didn''t know he''d cause such a scene at the wedding. It''s all my..." Devin shook his head, his expression warm and kind again. "He''s from the Kaufman family. If he wants to cause trouble, I can''t exactly stop him. What can you do? We''re married and we will face this together. It''s over, so don''t feel guilty or me yourself." Grace knew it was all connected to her, but she couldn''t shake the feeling. "If it hadn''t been for me, things wouldn''t have gotten this out of hand. With so many people at the wedding and all this chaos, I bet Mr. and Mrs. Hudson are really upset." Seeing her still upset, Devin handed her a s of water and then put his arm around her,forting her softly, "Still calling them Mr. and Mrs. Hudson? My parents are kind and understanding. They''d only me the Kaufman family and feel sorry for you, their new daughter-inw. Don''t worry. I''m here for you." Taking a few sips of water, Grace started to regain herposure. To keep him from fretting, she let the matter drop. Devin put the ss on the table and squatted down to hold her ankle. "Did you hurt yourself when you fell? Those heels are sky- high. Did you twist your ankle?" Grace was surprised he noticed such a small detail and was momentarily stunned Devin grabbed some tissues, gently wiping away the dirt from her leg. Then. lifting her wedding dress slightly, he saw therge scar. His voice was filled with concern. "When did you get this injury? Was it the day you were looking at houses? I heard a car on the phone. Did you have a car ident?" Grace wanted to deny it, but seeing the look on his face, she didn''t want to lie to him. "Yes, but it''s almost healed. It doesn''t hurt at all." Seeing her force a smile, Devin felt even more distressed. He let her wedding dress fall back into ce and then helped her to a to his seat. After sending a mes ?? assistant, he ced her high heels to the side. "I''ll have my assistant bring a new pair of shoes. You rest for now." "But the wedding party... Devin held her hand, his tone soft yet firm. "The wedding party is just a formality. Since it''s our wedding, I just want you to be at peace." Grace couldn''t remember thest time someone cared for her like this. It felt like a distant memory. A pang of emotion hit her, and she swiftly lowered her gaze. Yet, she couldn''t stop the tears from welling up. The Lies He Told Me 200 Antonio''s friends didn''t hang around after dropping him off. They made up quick excuses and left. Fuming with anger, Antonio stormed up to the second floor, straight to Grace''s old room, and growled at the butler, "Get rid of everything in here, burn it all! And if Grace shows up again, keep her out!" The butler, catching on to Antonio''s foul mood, replied cautiously, "Sir, before she left, she''d already cleared out her things. The room''s empty. now She gave me the keys, and her prints have been removed. Sh Each word from the butler seemed to darken Antonio''s mood. The butler''s voice trembled, bing weaker as his fear grew. Antonio didn''t wait for the butler to finish and kicked the door open. He scanned the room,pletely bare, not even a hair out of ce as if it were brand new. The sight of the pristine room only stoked his anger. "Where''s all her stuff? Did she take it with her?" "She burned what she could and threw away the rest. Her personal belongings are disposed of. Anything from the old ce is stored away." Antonio''s face turned livid at this, and he was about to lose it when his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he remembered he''d left Livia hanging, and his anger surged. But he kept his cool, at least for her, and after a moment, he ancorad "Livia, I''m sorry, something''se up I can''t make it today." ut him off. "It''s fine, Antonio I''m calling to say I''m leaving I''m at to catch a flight." Antonio''s heart clenched at this. "Catch a flight? Where are you going" There was a hint of anxiety in Livia''s voice, have back to Blenia Bracion, and have made up. I''m going back to him. Thanks for everything Goodbye" 1 1er words hit Antonio like a ton of bricks. He couldn''t hold back his frustration and yelled, "Made up? What''s so great about him? I''ve given you everything, and you''d pick him over me? Why don''t you give me one more chance?" There was a pause, and then Livia''s voice, heavy with regret, came through. I''m sorry, Antonio. I can''t get over him. I know you care about me, but I''ve only ever seen you as my best friend. Love is real. It can''t be faked or forced. Just get over me." Once again rejected, Antonio felt a lump in his throat, unable to speak He heard somemotion in the background, and through the noise. Livia said she had to board the ne, and the call ended. Staring at his phone as the screen went dark, Antonio felt a brand new wave of frustration wash over him. He tossed the phone over the railing, mmed the door, and locked himself in this empty room. Once the footsteps died away, silence fell. Feeling drained, he leaned on the wall, made it to a chair, and fell into it. Though Grace was gone, the room still held a faint scent. It was the perfume Grace always wore. The fragrance soothed his frayed nerves and sleepiness set in. Leaning back in the chair, Antonio drifted off to sleep. The Lies He Told Me 201 When Antonio woke up, night had fallen, and the room was as dark as cave without a single light on. After Antonio woke from his dream, a flood of memories overwhelmed him. leaving him utterly drained. He covered his face and called out without thinking, "Grace, turn on the lights and make some coffee." The silence around him was deafening. No one answered. It hit him then that Grace was gone too. Everyone was gone, leaving him all by himself. A wave of loneliness washed over Antonio, heavy and all-epassing. He got up, feeling his way through the dark to the wine cer. Then he had some boxes of booze brought out. His years of drinking had toughened him up, but his stomach was paying the price. Just a few bottles in, and it felt like his gut was on fire. He curled up on the floor, his forehead dotted with cold sweat, and a pained moan escaped his lips. The servant, seeing he was in agony, rushed to help him to the sofa and started searching for medicine. Yet, Grace was the only one who knew where the meds were, and with them locked away, the servant, unable to find them, grabbed the phone to call 911. Chapt "Hi. Evergreen Hospital? This is..." Antonio, despite his pain, forced himself up, snatched the phone, and hung up. "A little pain like this and you want me to go to the hospital? Are you trying to get my father involved?" The servant, meeting Antonio''s intense stare, was so scared that she could hardly speak, shaking her head in fear. "It''s not that. It''s just Grace always kept the medicine, and I couldn''t find it. I was worried about you. That was why I thought of calling 911." Hearing Grace''s name while he was in such pain was like a knife twisting in Antonio''s gut. Sweat as big as beans rolled down his pale face. Seeing him in such a state, the servant was at a loss and decided to call Grace. This time, Antonio didn''t try to stop her. After about ten rings, Grace''s calm voice came through the phone. "Daisy, what''s going on thiste?" "Grace, Mr. Kaufman''s stomach is killing him. Do you know where the medicine is?" "The stomach pills? I sent them all to Ms. Fischerst time. There''s left at home. You take him to the hospital n¨¦to Daisy was on the verge of tears hearing this. "Mr. Kaufman won''t go to the hospital." 1201% Even in his agony. Antonio was all cars for her response. At this, he reached out with a shaky hand, signaling for the phone. After a moment''s hesitation, Daisy handed it over. As soon as Antonio got the phone to his car he heard Grace''s cold tone. "Let ham suffer if it''s serious. I''ll hang up if there''s nothing else. A sharp pang hit Antonio right in the heart. His hand shook. and the phone slipped, hitting the floor and breaking into pieces Daisy picked it up. Looking at his pale face, she asked softly, ¡°Mr. Kaufman, what did Grace say?" "Get out! Get out of my sight!" Hearing his furious roar, Daisy didn''t dare to say another word and quickly left, head down. As soon as the door shut, Antonio grabbed the bottle of alcohol and no d drinking like there wet tomorrow. Bottle after bottle, case after case. Eventually, he was clutching the table, vomiting uncontrobly. The nausea was overwhelming, and tears streamed down his face. After vomiting, he felt like his stomach was being ripped out, and he was so dizzy he was about to faint. Before he lost consciousness, he looked at the harsh overhead light. He murmured, his voice breaking, "How could you let me suffer like this? "You never left me in the lurch." The Lies He Told Me 202 After hanging up. Grace grabbed the hairdryer and dried her hair to the beat of a cheerful tune. Devin walked in and saw her grinning. His lips curved up too. He sauntered over. handing her a tube of ointment. She examined it, checking out the ingredients, while he fetched a cotton swab from the cab and settled next to her. "What''s this for?" "Scar healing. It works wonders." It warmed Grace''s heart that he remembered her leg scars. Devin asked her to pull up her pant leg, then applied the ointment to a swab, and gently smoothed it on her scar. His careful attention brought a flicker of feeling to her eyes. After a pause, she found the courage to ask a question that had been bugging her. "When I said I wanted to marry you to escape the Kaufman family, you agreed right away. Was it really just to pay back my mom for saving your life?" Devin paused and looked up with a soft voice. "That was a big part of it, but my family''s been on my case about settling down. We''re about the same age, and since you''re alone, I figured I''d look out for you, like your mom would''ve wanted." Grace was surprised at his words. "How do you know about my family stuff?" Devin put the cotton swab down after dabbing on the ointment. Then he gave her the hot milk he''d brought in. "After your mom left, she didn''t reach out. I looked into your situation. When I heard she passed away, I thought about bringing you into the Hudson family. But the servants at the Kaufman''s home said Antonio Bringing up the past, Grace felt a bit emotional. Three years ago, Antonio was really sweet to her, especially after her mom passed away. He had people watching her 24/7, making sure she was okay. He''d take her out to take her mind off things, trying to lift her spirits. He was worried that she might fall apart. At the time, Grace thought he had feelings r her. Grieving and lonely. she gave him her heart after holding onto it for seven years. But as she grew up, she realized Antonio''s care was just pity. The way he stood up for her in public? It was just an illusion. Grace finally realized that Antonio wasn''t into her, not one bit. He saw her as a fixture of the Kaufman family, a long- timepanion. To others, she was just a piece of his life. Protecting her was more about keeping up appearances. The truth was, his heart always belonged to Livia. He saw her as the servant''s orphan, a personal assistant, and someone to deal with his troubles. He could call on her anytime, just like Morton or Daisy. But now she faced the truth and moved on. The cozy warmth brought Grace back to the present. She let out a breath, grinning at Devin, her voice all gratitude. I.ne "Thanks for everything. Now that I''m away from the Kaufman family, Antonio won''t bother me anymore. If you want a divorce, I''m ready whenever you are." Devin was caught off guard, looking at her with seriousness. "Marriage isn''t a joke. I meant it when I said marry you. I''mmitted to this. If you''re not about me, let''s take it slow, date take me as your husband, we''ll take the next step. Okay?" even. When you''re ready toate not The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!