Chapter 8
He helped me put on my clothes, then took my hand, and led of
e out the bedroom.
On the table, he’d reheated my dinner, and there, waiting for me were the BBQ Ribs I’d been craving for so long.
The feeling of happiness in that moment was indescribable.
Since we made our relationship official, Oliver and I stopped hiding it while at the set.
It didn’t take long for everyone to know we were a couple, Antonio included.
“Gracie! You have to tell me it’s all a lie!”
Antonio burst into my dressing room while I was editing the script, and his sudden intrusion completely broke my train of thought.
A surge of frustration rose within me.
I put down the script, frowned, and looked at Antonio. “Didn’t anyone teach you to knock before entering?”
He didn’t answer.
He just stood there, silently staring at me, waiting for me to deny the rumors about Oliver and me.
But he was out of luck.
Chapter
I looked up at him calmly and said. “They’re not wrong. Oliver and I are together.
“We’ll let you know when we’re getting married. Will you come to the wedding and bring a gift?”
My indifferent tone completely enraged Antonio. He stormed over, grabbed my shoulders tightly, and in a rush, demanded. “Is this still about what happened before? Are you still holding a grudge?
“But I have nothing to do with Graycee!
“Gracie, I’ve only ever loved you!
“I’ll never forget that you saved my life. I’ll never forget the five years we lived together in that small town. We were the only ones in each other’s lives…
“How did we end up strangers?”
As he spoke, a hot tear fell on my face. Antonio’s eyes were hollow and full of despair as he looked at my neck, where a strange red mark had appeared.
His pupils narrowed in shock.
He reached up to rub the spot, but only made it redder instead of disappearing.
When he realized what it was, his hand dropped, and he staggered back.
“You…”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I shoved him away and stood up abruptly. “Antonio, since I came back to Ravenvale, you’ve told everyone not to bring up our past. I heard you tell James and the others that those five years were the most shameful days of your life.
“Then later, you and everyone around you kept reminding me that I only have this life because I saved you.
“Don’t forget you once said I was just an orphan from a small town, and without you, I would never be who I am today!”
“No, that’s not true! It’s not like that…” He tried to argue but couldn’t find the words.
I took a deep breath, feeling exhausted. “It’s true. If not for the Kaufman family’s generosity, I wouldn’t have this life.
“But I saved your life, so we’re even.”
“I don’t want to be even!” Antonio shouted, tears streaming down his face, taking a step closer to grab my hand.
I quickly stepped back. “Don’t come any closer!”
“Antonio, I know the dream you’re talking about. It’s because you’ve been reborn. I have too.”
He froze, staring at me in disbelief.
“It’s because of everything I went through in my past life, and the images. of my tragic death that still haunt my dreams. I can’t forget what I truly lived through.
“God gave me a second chance, and I don’t want to get stuck in a pointless, messy relationship.
“I’m happy now, truly happy. I want to protect this happiness and not let anyone disturb it. That’s why I never told you about my rebirth.
