---- Chapter 96 The IV drip intensified my dizziness. | stumbled, barely catching myself. Antonio hadn't returned, not a single call or text. Five hours passed. Reluctantly, | dialed his number. He sounded surprised | was still at the hospital. "Grace, I'm so sorry. | meant to come back after taking Alicia home, but she had stomach cramps..." A woman's voice interrupted. "Sir, your order is served. Enjoy your dinner!" Antonio covered the phone, but | still heard Alicia.

"Antonio, you should go back." ---- Disappointment washed over me again. Antonio piped up, "Grace, go home. I'll explain later." What was there to explain? Another lie, mostly likely. | hung up, asked the nurse to discharge me, and went home alone. Antonio didn't appear all night. Kept awake by fireworks, | worked on a custom jewelry design for a client. Then, a Facebook notification flashed.

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Alicia had posted a photo of herself under the fireworks, captioned, "| know you still love me." | froze. Logging out, | realized I'd been logged ---- into Antonio's account. Feeling suffocated, | burrowed under the covers and forced myself to sleep. The next day, | went to work and handed in my resignation. My manager, aware of my impending marriage and return home, expressed both happiness and regret. "You've been fantastic here. But | wish you all the best," she said.

Speechless, | hugged her and whispered my thanks for her support. Word spread among my colleagues and they insisted on a farewell dinner. | booked a room at our usual restaurant with Antonnio -- mostly out of habit and ---- convenience. During the meal, | ran into Alicia in the restroom. She smiled warmly. "Antonio recommended this place, right? The grilled salmon is their signature dish. You have to try it." | smiled back, ready to leave. We weren't on friendly terms. But she stopped me.

"I've noticed Antonio always rinses the shrimp he peels for you. Are you sensitive to spice, too?" The word "too" struck me. | could handle spice, but Antonio always rinsed the shrimp, claiming spicy food wasn't good for women. ---- I'd assumed it was concern for my health. Now, it seemed like a ingrained habit, a habit formed for Alicia, the one who truly couldn't tolerate spice.