“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 123

***Gracie’s POV:***

The crowd erupted into a roar of cheers once I finished my song. I immediately looked for Kai. I could see him clapping and cheering the loudest. His face was filled with a sense of pride I could see even through his mask. As I stood to bow, I could see Kayla, Joey, Londyn, and Jackie clapping and crying along with Parys, Dougie, Cameron and Tyler.

I turned to the crowd and bowed gracefully. As I rose back up, I could see the Rochesters along with Jonathan staring at me in shock.

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*Noah’s POV:*

I couldn’t believe it. There was no way THAT was Graceland. In low and strained voice, I asked Cole,

*“Cole…are you sure? You think that’s Graceland?”*

*“I know it is!”*

He spoke in a panicked low tone I’d never heard before.

*“How can you be su-”*

*“Do you have any idea how many years I spent listening in on her as she wrote, composed, and sang music! It’s her! That singer is Graceland.”*

As we watched Marla Christiansen make her way back to the stage and embrace Graceland, a dark feeling came over me. Something wasn’t right; like we’d just walked into the lion’s den.

*“Cole, maybe it’s just someone that sounds like Graceland…no way she’s this talented.”*

Olivia spoke in a low tone, but I could ear the malice of envy in her words. Has she always felt this way about Graceland? Suddenly, father began to clap.

*“Isn’t this a good thing! That means the Christiansens have accepted her!”*

Mom said nothing. As for me, I didn’t share my father’s sentiments. I was right the first time….We shouldn’t have come here.

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***Gracie’s POV:***

*Even behind the masks I could tell my family was starting to panic. I was sure Cole probably figured out by now that I was the singer. After years of stealing my work, I knew HE of all people would recognize me.*

*Marla hugged me tightly thanking me once again for loving her son. I smiled warmly at my mother-in-law. If only she knew how much she’d saved me in these two lives I lived.*

*After our embrace ended, the crowd continued to cheer. Taking the mic, Marla began to speak.*

*“Thank you all so much! If I could have everyone quiet down. I’d like to introduce our guest of honor.”*

*The crowd immediately became quiet as Marla took her mask off.*

*“As I said early, this year has been nothing short of a nightmare for my family as our son laid in a coma. Many of you don’t know this, but my husband and I tried everything we could to wake up our son. Nothing worked.”*

*Just then, Theo walked up to the stage and gently grabbed Marla’s hand.*

*“We were beginning to lose hope. Afraid our Kai would never return to us. That is until we met a very remarkable young woman. This girl…well, she’d been a guardian angel to my son for a long time, and I searched a lot of places to find her.”*

*The crowd began to whisper wondering who this mystery girl was, and she had to do with Kai.*

*I could see the color draining from Noah as he lifted his mask.*

*“So before I introduce the birthday guest of honor, I want to reintroduce you all to someone very special…..Our son….Kai Christiansen.”*

*The entire crowd gasps as Kai made his way to the stage.*

“Is that really him???”

“Oh my gosh!!! When did he wake up!!!”

“Wait! I’m not convinced! Is that really him??”

*Kai smiled lightly and lifted his mask.*

*GASPS!!!!!!*

“It really is him!!!!”

“Oh my gosh!!!”

“Heir Christiansen has awakened!!!”

“Praise the gods!!”

*As the crowd roared in praise; there was one family not cheering. The Rochesters. By now, all of them had removed their masks. I could see Olivia’s eyes filled with anger and envy. It was fine my marrying Kai when they all thought he was a mere vegetable and I would be nothing but a maid. But now that the heir of House Christiansen was awake, that meant I had indeed married BETTER than her.*

“Wait! Who was the young woman that woke him up?”

*A man yelled from the crowd.*

“Yeah…whose this ‘guardian angel’ you spoke of?”

*Kai smiled smugly.*

"Mother…if I may?”

*Marla smiled proudly and handed the mic to Kai. The crowd instantly silenced as he began to speak.*

“First, I want to say thank you all for the well wishes sent these past several months while I was in my coma and while I was in recovery. You kind words, cards, flowers, etc.…I truly appreciate it.”

“The truth is, I’ve been woke since June 27th.”

*GASPS!!!!!*

*The crowd once again gasp. Hearing that Kai had been woke for the past three months caused questions to run through the crowd.*

“But why have you just now announced your recovery? And who woke you up?”

*A reporter from the crowd walked forward speaking directly to Kai.*

*Kai turned in my direction and held out his hand. Nervous, I walked slowly and grabbed his hand gently. Turning back to the crowd, Kai proceeded to answer the reporter.*

“Regarding why I delayed the announcement of my recovery, I’ll answer that in due time. But first…I want to introduce you all to the woman I’ve loved my entire life. The woman that changed my life twice now. My angel…My fiancé…Graceland Teagues.”

*I slowly took my mask of revealing my face.*

*The crowd began to roar and cheer.*

“Oh my gosh!!! Did he say his fiancé???”

“Kai Christiansen is getting married!!”

“Oh wow!!! That song was about him!!”

“What a beautiful couple!!!”

*As the crowd cheered, I could see the fire in both Calvin and Sharon’s eyes. Kai had just introduced me as Teagues instead of Rochester. The reporter then turned his mic and recorder to me.*

“Ms. Teagues, tell us…who is your family? Where are you from?”

*I smiled smugly. It was showtime.*

“Well, my mother’s name was Diana Teagues. Unfortunately both she and her husband has passed away years ago. So now, the Christiansen’s are my only fam-”

“GRACELAND!!! How could you say such a thing!! We’re your family!!!”

*My father stormed to the front of the crowd along with my mother, siblings, and Jonathan.*

*The crowd suddenly began to chatter.*

“Wait…what’s going on?”

“Isn’t that Calvin Rochester?”

“Why is he calling that girl his family?”

*The reporter then turned to Calvin.*

“You’re Calvin Rochester right? Do you know this girl?”

“Of course I do! I’m her father! She’s my daughter! Graceland Rochester!”

*The reporter then turned back to me.*

“Ms. Teagues…is this true??? Are you the daughter of Calvin and Sharon Rochester?”

**………………**

“No.”

“Graceland!!! How could you do this to us! To your own mother! You dare to claim the woman that stole you from me!”

*GASPS!!!!*

“What!!! They had a child stolen?”

“So wait, Diana Teagues was a kidnapper??”

“This is all so confusing!!!”

*Suddenly, Olivia ran to the front.*

“Sister!! Why are you doing this??”

*Olivia practically threw herself towards Kai.*

“Lord Christensen, please forgive my sister! She wasn’t with us the first twelve years of her life, so she’s not as refined as me. And even though Graceland has always been jealous of me, I hope that you see her value as more than a maid.”

*HA!! This fuckin bitch!!!*

*I stepped off the stage slowly and walked towards Olivia. Without a hesitation.*

*SLAP!*

“Ahhh!!!”

*Olivia stumbled backwards, but before she could fall I slapped her again.*

“Graceland!!! Are you crazy!!!”

*SLAP!!!*

*I looked down at Olivia as she grabbed her now swelling face. As the crowd began erupt in voices one stood out.*

“GRACELAND! What the hell do you think you’re doing!!!”*

I looked up and smiled smugly at Brian. Giving you all your payment.