Chapter41
“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 someone else, did you ever think about me? Did you ever feel guilty? When you swapped vitamins for hormones, did you hesitate for even a second?”
“You’ve had enough, Antonio. You just lost the person who cooked for you and did your laundry. I’m begging you, just sign the divorce papers.”
Antonio stood there, completely 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 collapsed, holding his head, sobbing uncontrollably.
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 and comfort.
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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 blamed my self for being a fool.
I had wasted my love and trust on the wrong guy.
I changed out of my blood–stained clothes and disinfected myself.
Then I sank into a chair, exhausted.
Chloe handed me a glass of water, her eyes filled with a complex 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
Chapter41
active, staying quiet.
It only occasionally stretched its little hands and feet, reminding me that it 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 voice laced. with desperation.
“Grace, the door was locked. Why won’t you let me come 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.
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But those standards were based on me not knowing about his affair, on believing that he still cared for me.
I had thought our relationship 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 you. 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.”