“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 72

***Graceland’s POV:***

I stared at myself for over ten minutes. Pinching myself, slapping myself, I even pulled my hair. I was brought back, back to the moment that changed my already crap life to an even crappier life. I had just turned 20 and my father was about to announce it was time for my sister Olivia and I to pick a suiter.

In my past life, I’d chosen Jonathan Brooks. The Rochester family and Brooks family were long time friends and business partners. Isaac Brooks, the patriarch of the family, insisted I marry Jonathan because I was the Rochester’s “biological” daughter. He liked Olivia, but he preferred for the Brooks to maintain a clean bloodline. To please my father, I accepted this request even though prior, I had been approach by the Christiansen family with a marital proposal.

I spent five years in a loveless marriage that ultimately led to my death. I could still smell the flames that burned my body. That morning, my husband came storming into our villa angry about yet another episode of “what did you do to my precious Olivia!” I was in the kitchen cooking when he stormed in.

*“Graceland! Just what the hell were you trying to do! Kill Olivia!”*

I looked at my husband confused, how had I tried to kill Olivia? All I did was brought her some chicken soup, at her request and his force. Puzzled, I asked my husband what he meant.

*“Don’t play stupid! You know Livie is allergic to cilantro, yet you chose to douse it in her soup!”*

What??????

I’d known for years of the many “allergies” Olivia claimed to have. I’d been punished enough throughout my adolescence for it to be burned into my brain. No way would I have put cilantro in her soup. I stared at my husband confused but also tried to defend myself.

*“Jonathan, I swear, I didn’t put-”*

***SLAP!***

Jonathan slapped me hard across the cheek. As tears welded into my eyes, I could feel my face burning. Suddenly, Olivia ran into the kitchen.

*“Jonnie! Please! Don’t hurt Graceland! Maybe it was an accident! It’s my fault anyway! I shouldn’t have kept you with me last night just because my stomach hurt. It was your wedding anniversary after all.”*

As if on cue, the infamous Olivia tears began to pour. I could see Jonathan’s face twist into a heartfelt expression. Hugging Olivia, he began to comfort her.

*“No Livie! It’s not your fault! You didn’t feel well, besides it was just another stupid day! Your health was more important!”*

*‘Just another stupid day?’ It was only our fifth wedding anniversary, why would THAT be important. But I was used to this. Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, etc., something would always happen to Olivia that draw any attention off me and on to her. I was used to it by now. Olivia was their golden child.*

The day I was born, I had been kidnapped by a woman that had just loss her child and was told she would never have anymore. To help my biological mother cope with her grief, she and my biological father immediately adopted another girl. Olivia.

Life with my adoptive mother was peaceful. We lived in a small village near South Bay called Willington. My adoptive mother was warm, loving, and supported everything I wanted to do including playing the violin. I had everything I needed in order to have a well-rounded happy childhood; and then one day…it all came to an end.

My mother and I were on our way home from grocery shopping when a drunk driver ran into our car, killing my mother instantly as she tried to shield me. I laid in the hospital for over three weeks healing; it was the second time I’d ever been in the hospital as long. One day while laying in my hospital room, the doctors and a social worker came in with huge smiles on their faces.

*“Graceland! We have fantastic news! Your real family has been found!”*

Real family?

What did that mean? I sat in my bed shocked as the social worker explained everything to me. That my mother was not my real mother but in fact a woman that stole me from the hospital and then fled to Willington. The truth only came out because my DNA was in the system from when I was kidnapped, hoping to find some relatives, they ended up finding my biological family.

The Rochesters were an elite family of North Bay. From investment bankers to real estate, they even owned a hospital. The Rochesters where the elite of the elite and I had just learned THIS was my biological family. Once I was discharged from the hospital, the Rochesters sent someone to pick me up.

I know what you’re thinking, red flag number 1! What type of family doesn’t come personally to pick up their long lost child. Try to understand though, I was only 12 years old, I had just loss the only mother I’d ever known and had no one. I was desperate for a family.

The drive was long, when I arrived at the Rochester Estate, everyone was there. My biological mother Sharon Rochester was beautiful. She had olive colored skin, with long wavy hair, and hazel colored eyes. Surprisingly, I looked just like her. My father, Calvin Rochester, looked every bit the powerful and prominent. Showing little affection to the daughter he’d thought was lost, he merely gave a “welcome home.” Then came my three brothers, Noah, who was the eldest and most stoic; no doubt trying to be like his father. Cole the second eldest, who seemed to have the most energy, and Brian, the youngest brother. Of the three, he seemed to hold the most contempt towards me as he and Olivia were the closet.

Finally, I met Olivia. My mother explained that she was so sad about losing me, she adopted Olivia in my stead. At the time, I understood her, I told myself that was her way of dealing with the grief. Looking back, I now realize I was simply replaceable.

Olivia looked every bit the sweet and angelic daughter and sister. When I first met her, she ran up and hugged me tightly telling me was so happy to finally have a sister!

*“Oh, Graceland it’s going to be perfect! We’ll share everything!”*

I smiled lightly, although I was overwhelmed, I was happy to have a nice and inviting new sister. As we made our way to the grand room, Olivia noticed my bracelet. It was a birthday gift from my adoptive mother and the last thing she’d ever brought me. With a mischievous smile, Olivia tried to snatch the bracelet off my wrist. Startled, I instantly backed up and snatched my hand from hers. Suddenly, Olivia dramatically fell back falling onto the ground a letting out a loud scream.

Suddenly the family all stopped and turned towards us. In an instant, Olivia began pleading and apologizing.

*“I’m so sorry sister!! I promise not to touch any of your things again! Please don’t hurt me!”*

I was shocked! I had no idea what Olivia was referring to, in all honesty, if she had simply asked, I would have let her borrow the bracelet. Confused, I began to kneel down and help her up, suddenly, I jerker back by my mother.

*“Graceland! What the hell is wrong with you!! How dare you hurt my daughter over some bracelet!”*

***SLAP!***

Sharon slapped me hard across the face. As I fell, my bracelet fell off my wrist. Suddenly, the youngest brother Brian picked it up.

*“This cheap thing is what you made a fuss about and hurt my baby sister over?”*

I looked in fear as he held the bracelet up as if to break it. In a panic I stood up.

*“No please! That’s the last thing my mother ever brought me!”*

Sharon gave a me a look of disgust.

*“Mother! That woman was a thief! How dare you speak of her in this house! She must have done a disgraceful job raising you!”*

Tears began to weld up in my eyes, and then…POP!!

Brian snapped my bracelet into little pieces. As I watched it shatter on the ground, I realized then, that my life of being loved and peaceful was coming to an end. Over the years, it became a daily trend. Olivia would accuse me of something and in an instant, everyone would believe her. Never once hearing me out or taking my side.