Chapter 235
I called the cops.
After so long. Antonio hadn’t kept his old vigor. He exuded a sense of dejection instead.
I thought for sure, with me out of the picture, he’d mope around for a bit and then get back to his old form with Michelle.
It turned out that I had more of an impact on him than I realized.
But who cared?
The cops got there in a flash.
“He’s got the wrong person and won’t back off,” I told them.
I showed my ID with a shrug. “My name is Aliza Lambert, and it has always been.”
“You’re lying. You’re Grace, not Aliza. We grew up together. I’d know you anywhere,” Antonio shot back, not buying my ID one bit.
“What proof have you got?” I challenged him.
Antonio was left speechless.
I knew he didn’t have a single snapshot of me.
I got back all the old photos, the childhood ones too, straight from Camille.
I had torched every last one, leaving no trace behind.
I chuckled, “You can’t come up with any proof. You just say you know me without a shred of evidence. Who would buy that?”
Antonio looked downcast, and it took him a while to speak up, “Grace, you’ve got every right to be mad at me.
“Never mind. I’ll slowly make up for it.
“I’ll have that villa rebuilt to its former glory. I swear.
“Once you’re free. I’ll show it to you.”
I wasn’t interested in his hollow promises. I got the cops to keep Antonio. away, and I retreated to my hotel.
I explained to Linda why I needed to leave early and then opened my travel app to find the soonest flight available.
The next day, at eight sharp, I opened my door to find Antonio right there.
His clothes were a mess, his chin stubbled, and his eyes puffy with lack of sleep.
It was obvious that he hadn’t closed his eyes all night.
Upon spotting me, he snapped to attention, a glint of hope in his eyes. “Grace, you’re up.”
“Listen, I’m not Grace,” I repeated, my voice devoid of emotion. “You’d be better off tracking down the real person than bothering with me.”
I sidestepped him and walked out.
Antonio was on my heels. “By noon, Michelle and her mom will be on their knees, begging for your forgiveness.”
They had fled to a smaller city, but Antonio’s reach was long, and they couldn’t escape his retribution.
Their funds were dwindling, forcing them to tighten their belts. After their savings were depleted, they eventually had to rely on online loans to
survive.
I tuned him out and headed to the lobby to join my colleagues.
Antonio trailed behind, keeping his distance but not letting me out of his sight.
“Who’s that guy? He’s pretty cute,” Linda inquired.
Without lifting my gaze from my phone, I casually said, “I don’t know him.”
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