MainNovelThe door opened, a wry smile playing on my lips, but the room fell silent.
Every eye was on me, a mix of embarrassment and discomfort etched on their faces.
My fiance lay cradled in a woman's arms a woman whose face was intimately familiar from his laptop. Antonio's friends, unprepared for my sudden arrival, scrambled to pull him away from Mandy.
He, wasted and oblivious, roared, "Back off! Leavealone!" I'd ever seen him like this; alcohol was not his vice.
One friend hissed, "Grace's here! Get it together! You're getting married." The others joined the effort, finally separating Antoand Mandy.
After a few tense minutes, Antoplopped onto the couch, his face flushed.
One friend finally exhaled, turning to me.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"This is Mandy, an old high school friend. She's back from Nardoven for the party. Antois wasted. Don't take it personally." A piece of my mind would have been unleashed on Antoyears ago, Now, I could only manage a strained grin.
"Are you Antonio's friend?" Mandy, assessingwith curious eyes, asked.
Antonio's friend began, "This is Antonio's fiancee." Antocut him off, his voice sharp. "No, we're just friends!" My fists clenched, nails biting into my palms.
The room shifted uncomfortably, sympathy heavy in the air.
This wasn't the first tAntohad hidden our relationship.
The Facebook silence, the avoidance at work, the refusal to invite our families - the signs had been there.
I'd been in denial, gambling eight years of my life on a hope that proved tragically misplaced.
I plastered on a smile, shaking shand. "Hi, I'm Grace Parrish, I of Antonio's. You look even more beautiful in person.
WContent The room fell deadly silent.
Mandy laughed it off, grabbing snacks.
Antonio, suddenly alert, sat up straight. "You're allergic to nuts!" Mandy's hand froze. "Sweetheart, these are potato chips. You're drunk.' My heart shattered. Antohad never truly cared about my feelings.
"Grace, are you crying?" someone asked, noticing my tears.
I touched my cheek, the wetness cold against my skin.
Why was I crying? I had given my pryears to a fraud.
I'd tried to correct him countless times.
My severe seafood allergy, ignored as he repeatedly chose seafood restaurants for our dates.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmInitially furious, I'd excused it as stress and forgetfulness.
I pulled him to his feet, silent.
Downstairs, Mandy followed.
"Antohas a sensitive stomach. He can't sleep hungry. Maybe you could make him something?" she said.
He'd never mentioned this.
At the car, Mandy stoppedagain.
"Can I needve your number? In case he needs something in the middle the night."
"He is restless after drinking, but honey water usually helps, she m persisted.
My nails bit into my palms. Tears prickled my eyes.
I met her gaze, lost and forlorn, and gave in. The contenKisan Co novelenglish.net! We exchanged numbers. Then I saw it - Aacebook cover photo: 5 and Mandy, kissing Wa beach, a kiss that felt brutally real.
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