Backstabbed by My Bestie 3

Chapter 3 

The living room clock ticked louder than his breathing. 

“Grace,” Antonio gripped the sofa arm. “Say that again.” 

“I said yes. Let’s divorce.” 

Pulling the asset division papers from the coffee table drawer, I caught his flinch 

“You’re… actually serious?” 

I blinked. “Do people fake divorce?” 

His laughter cracked like cheap veneer. “Playing hard to get now? Pathetic.” 

The garage door shook the house when he left. 

Fifteen days. No calls. No texts. 

3:12 AM. Ray’s number flashed. 

“Tony’s trashed my bar. Come get him.” 

“Let him crash at your place. Try Valda’s number.” 

Come on, I was helping him. 

Key jangled at dawn. Antonio reeked of bourbon and regret. 

He “accidentally” watched my shows every night. 

“Forgot” his laptop charger in our bedroom daily. 

Chapter 3 

Flooded my office with crimson peonies – 999 stems each morning. 

In the past. I would’ve posted every bouquet on Instagram. 

But now, I let them rot in reception. 

Antonio seemed to have forgotten about the divorce. 

I decided to follow my lawyer’s advice and wait for the right moment. 

“Grace! We’re in VIP 7!” Carly’s text chimed as I entered the lounge. 

Fingers dug into my shoulder before I found the room. 

“Following me?” 

Antonio’s drunken grin wavered. “Could’ve texted.” 

He dragged me into neon–lit chaos. Valda materialized in my anniversary gift the custom–tailored overcoat he’d claimed, “lost in Detroit.” 

“Who knew Grace liked dive bars?” 

Valda purred, sleeve brushing his thigh. “Tony said you’re a prudish wallflower.” 

I recognized the custom coat Valda wore. It was the anniversary gift I gave Antonio last year. 

I had wanted him to wear it to accompany me to the Kaufman family dinner, but he claimed he’d lost it on a business trip in Detroit. 

When I muttered what a pity, he exploded, “It’s just an ugly, out–of–season coat. You’re questioning me like an interrogator? Maybe I should get you a brain specialist. Your stupid head really needs it.” 

Antonio introduced me to his so–called old friends, and as they teased. 

25500 

Chapter 3 

him for being a “henpecked husband,” he watched me with a smile. 

When they egged us on to duct a love song, Valda draped the coat over me, saying. “You’re dressed so lightly. I’m worried you’ll catch a cold.” 

Antonio, seeing me in the coat I’d thought was lost, grabbed me anxiously and explained. “It suddenly got cold in Detroit, and Valda didn’t bring any thick clothes… I had no choice but to lend her mine.” 

Focused on replying to Carly’s message, I ignored Antonio. “Never mind.” 

Just then, Carly sent a photo of a mysterious guest’s profile. 

I immediately handed the microphone to Valda and told Antonio, “You two sing together. I have something to do.” 

Before Antonio could speak, Valda stepped forward, tears welling up, and said. “Grace, are you still misunderstanding Tony and me? We’re not what you think.” 

As Valda wished, I saw the exquisite tattoo on her inner arm–a sword. 

and a rose. 

I had seen the same pattern on Antonio two months ago.. 

Meeting Antonio’s panicked gaze, I did something unexpected.