“Even if it’s true, that doesn’t mean what I’m sure I guess you’re thinking. He’s not using you to keep the money. I know he loves you. Anyone who’s seen him look at you knowsthat.”
Love can never betrusted.
“Right. Well, I’m gonna go now, Stacy. I’ll call youlater.”
I feel sick to mystomach.
“Promise you’ll calllater?”
“Yeah. Ipromise.”
I wipe the tear that’s managed to trickle its way down my cheek and I feel my heart rate speed up as I spiral into apanic.
You can’t get your emotions in a bunch without knowing for sure if it’strue.
I decide to call Antonio. Confront him. Hopefully he’s done with his meeting. And as his phone rings, I feel a weird combination of butterflies and nausea all atonce.
He answers, “Daniella, baby, have you seenTM—”
I readily interrupt as I pace the bedroom floor. “Is it true?” I ask, my voicesubdued.
“Baby, I can explain,” he begins and that’s all I need tohear.
It’strue.
I hang up and the floodgate of tearsemerges.
I knewit.
Nosuch thing aslove.
Who would love meanyway?
Unworthy. Unwanted.Daniella.
Should have stuck to swearing off men. I sure wouldn’t behere. Faced with thisbullshit.
I grab a suitcase, pack up whatever I can fit into it, throw on jeans and a shirt and leave, without lookingback.
Destination: who the fuck knows—just far away from the crap-fest ofI love youlies.
* * *
It’s been a few hours,I guess. Maybe more. I’ve been in the same spot for I don’t know how long since I checked into this hotel, walked into the room, and crashed onto thebed.
My phone is off. I don’t want to speak to anyone. Yet now that I think about it, at least I should text Emma andStacy.
And as soon as I power my phone back on, I see there are twenty calls from Antonio, along with at least the same amount of text messages, which I ignore, and voicemails, which I don’t listento.
Leave me alone,liar.
I text Stacy to let her know I’msafe.
Stacy: Okay. Glad you’re safe, babe, but I’m worried about you. Antonio has been here looking for you. He doesn’t lookgood.
Me: He’s probably more upset about the fact he may indeed lose hisinheritance.
Stacy: I’m not too sure about that. He really lookedtorn.
