“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 121

***Kai’s POV:***

After learning the full truth about Gracie’s birth. I decided to tell her about my plans and why I wanted to wait until September to announce everything and celebrate her birthday.

*“So, that’s why. It’s not that I didn’t want to celebrate your birthday or announce our engagement, I just wanted to make sure we gathered everything on the Rochesters. I want this party to be the day of your Triumph and rebirth.”*

Gracie’s eyes widen at the word rebirth. It was as if that word had some type of effect on her. After the meeting with Thorton, it seemed like something had been troubling her. Like it was something she had been keeping from me. At first I thought she was still reeling from learning about Sharon. But then one night…for the first time since we’d been together, Gracie had a nightmare.

*“Ah!! The fire!!! Please!! Don’t leave me!!!”*

I was jolted out of my sleep at the sound of Gracie’s screaming.

*“Please!!!! Help me!!!”*

*“Gracie! Gracie!!! Come on baby! Wake up!!”*

Gracie’s eyes opened in a panic. She began to quickly look around the room as she checked her arms. Sweat was dripping down from her forehead, and she had tears in her eyes. Her breathing was erratic as she gripped my shirt. I’d never seen her this frightened before.

I took her into my arms embracing her close.

*“Hey, it’s okay. It’s okay. It was just a dream. Your sa-”*

*“No it wasn’t!! It wasn’t a dream!!! I….”*

Gracie began crying, what was going on? I slowly pulled her from me and looked into her eyes.

*“Gracie…talk to me. What’s wrong?”*

*“I can’t. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”*

*“That’s not true. Hey…look at me. There’s nothing you can tell me that I wouldn’t believe.”*

Gracie stared at me for a moment before wiping her eyes.

*“The fire…it wasn’t just a dream. I really did die in a fire caused by my sister. Afterwards, I was…I was reborn.”*

I stared at Gracie in complete disbelief. REBORN!!! What! How!!!

After the shock wore off, Gracie told me everything about her previous life. Everything was the same except for one crucial point. In her previous life…she married Brooks. That one horrific decision led to another five years of pain and abuse…and ultimately…her death.

*“I know this sounds crazy and I understand if you don’t believe me.”*

It did sound crazy…I mean the whole idea that someone could be reborn. But I did believe her. Her eyes…they had been trying to tell me this story the entire time and I had been to blind to see it.

That night, Gracie was able to tell me everything. I remember feeling huge waves of guilt and anger. How the hell could her *'husnad'* just leave her there to die!! If I waken up sooner in her previous life, maybe I would have been able to save her! The thought of her burning alive…the suffering she must have went through. There was a rage burning deep inside of me. The Rochesters …Jonathan…they would all pay. For this life and the last.

When she finally fell asleep, Gracie looked peaceful again. It was as if all the weight she had been feeling from these past two lives had finally been lifted. The next morning, she was still asleep. Exhausted no doubt. I decided to get up and make her some breakfast.

*“Good morning dear. Where’s Gracie?”*

My mother sat at the breakfast nook sipping her tea while reading a book. Gracie told me how she and dad mourned her and went to her memorial. I’ll forever love my parents for that.

*“She’s still sleeping. I thought I’d make her some breakfast.”*

My mother looked at me with a strange expression. I wasn’t sure what her expression meant. Shortly after, she smiled warmly.

That was weird.

*“I think that’s a good idea. I would do pancakes. It’s good for the stomach.”*

*“Oh, Gracie isn’t sick mom.”*

*“I know.”*

*??????????*

I furrowed my brows as I watched my mother continue to read her book. That was strange.

After breakfast, we began the preparations for the birthday party. With the party just three days away, I wanted to make sure everything was in order. All the right guests had received their invites and RSVP, including the Rochesters. Tyler brought me the final party favor. This would be the *‘icing on the cake’*.

*“Did you want to watch the recording beforehand?”*

Tyler asked as he poured both me and Cameron a drink.

*“Have you watched it?”*

Tyler sat in his chair and sighed.

*“Yeah…I did. Zelma got some great shit. Well…in terms of bringing down the Rochesters. Those people really are scum.”*

I nodded in response indicating I wanted to see the recordings. According to Tyler, Zelma began recording conversations from the Rochesters the day after she spoke with my mother. I sat in silence as we watched the recordings. Hours of the Rochesters talking about dirty deals and illegal business. Then came the day everyone found out Gracie accepted my parents’ proposal. I could feel the heat rising from my chest as her brother Brian and that jackass Jonathan mocked me for being in a coma. That girl, Olivia, she knew exactly what she was doing.

Though I have to admit, watching my love slap that Brooks fool made all of this worth it. Watching her defend me…even before knowing me she defended me. I always knew my love wasn’t misplaced.

After finishing the video, Cameron handed me some documents.

*“This is the proof we needed as well that Rochester and Brooks are using that real estate development deal as a front for an underground crime lord. I’m sure their board will love to hear about that.”*

Good…everything was in place. Now all we needed was the star attractions.

***************************************************

***Gracie’s POV:***

The time was now 5:30pm and I was finishing up my hair and makeup. The birthday party was actually a masquerade ball. For my attire, I chose a phoenix themed gown and mask. Representing my rise from the ashes. It was poetic that my new home also took place in Phoenix, South Bay. I now knew why I was reborn. Fate had given me a chance to make the right choice and finally be with the family I was always meant to be with.

I watched from the tablet as the guest began to arrive. The ball took place in the estate’s grand hall. I could hear many people questioning exactly WHO this event was for.

*“So, which Christiansen is being celebrate tonight?”*

*“I’m not sure. It couldn’t be the oldest right?”*

*“No he’s still in a coma.”*

*“That’s so sad.”*

*“Yeah…to tell you the truth, I was surprised they were even doing this. For the past nine months they haven’t had any festivities.”*

*“Well can you blame them? I don’t know what I would do if my son were in a coma. Especially someone as accomplished as Kai Christiansen.”*

The gossiping was circulating all throughout the ballroom with the same question being asked.

*‘Who was this party for?’*

As I sipped on my glass of wine, Kayla, Londyn, Joey, and Jackie came into my dressing room.

*“OMG!!!!! Gracie!!! Look at you!!!!”*

Kayla squealed as she rushed over to hug me.

*“Oh Gracie…you look so beautiful.”*

Jackie's eyes started to water up as she made her way over.

*“Nope!! Don’t you dare! Nobody cry!! Remember our makeup!”*

We all laughed aloud as Londyn scolded us about crying. Joellie walked in front of me placing her hands on my shoulders.

*“You ready mama?”*

*“I’m ready.”*

I could feel my heart beating at rapid speed. Tonight…I would finally get my justice.