The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio) novel Chapter 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 place! 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.

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 go later, 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 to come.

"Who says I'm leaving?"

Antonio's black 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.

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 the company tomorrow, I've got many ways to make sure he doesn't come 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 it.

Then I saw a quick flash 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 of company 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—

"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.