“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 74

***Graceland’s POV:***

After Jonathan informed the rest of the family about my death, my brothers went silent. For the first time in all the years I had been with that family, I’m pretty sure I saw guilt on their faces. Cole even looked like he was about to cry. Brian was the first to speak.

*“Jonathan, why didn’t you pull her out the kitchen?”*

Jonathan looked up at Brian, faced completely drained of color.

*“I…I honestly forgot she was in there. I didn’t hear her call for help.”*

The brothers all sat in silence, and suddenly, Cole looked at Olivia. Whispering, he began to speak.

*“Livie, why didn’t you tell us she was still in the kitchen.”*

Olivia’s face instantly paled, she hadn’t expected him to ask her that. Trying to scramble for an answer, Jonathan soon jumped in for her defense.

*“It’s not her fault Cole. It’s mine! I should have remembered she was in there, Livie could barely breath.”*

Cole shot Jonathan a troubled look but then quickly went back into the normal routine of pampering Olivia.

*“Sorry Livie.”*

Cole whispered still looking at the house. I’ll always wonder what he truly wanted to say.

Noah spoke next, his words hitting my spirit like a train.

*“It’s her fault. She should have spoken up.”*

Everyone looked at Noah as if he had three heads, but no one dared to correct him. After Olivia was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, the family all discussed what happened. For a brief moment, Sharon looked sad, but her face instantly went back to its stoic expression. Callously, she spoke.

*“She never truly fit in this family; we’ll make sure she has a proper memorial.”*

Looking at Jonathan, she continued.

*“Jonathan, Olivia is pregnant. Marry my daughter before the child is born.”*

Without saying anything further, she got up and left. My father said nothing, he just looked at everyone and followed behind my mother.

So, they all knew Jonathan was having an affair with Olivia, yet all those years accused me of being petty and paranoid. I could feel my spirit slowly starting to fade, perhaps these final blows were the last thing I needed in order to move on. The next thing I remembered was my funeral. Even at my memorial, all people could do was talk about how “brave” Olivia was. Some even suggested I started the fire myself. The entire time however, no one spoke up for me. My brothers just stared at my picture while my mother looked as if she had better things to do. And Jonathan, he just spent the entire time consoling Olivia, who’d made sure to put on a superb act of the grieving sister. Too bad her little fan club didn’t know she was carrying her sister’s husband’s baby.

Through the entire thing, there was only two people that mourned me, Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen of South Bay.  

When they arrived at my memorial, I remember my family looking shocked. My father asked how they knew me, Mrs. Christiansen simply responded.

*“She saved my life.”*

And walked away. You have to understand, if the Rochesters were considered elite, the Christiansens were basically imperial. Responsible for almost 40 percent of the world's currency and trade, the Christiansens were the richest family in the world. But don’t worry, I’ll explain how I know them later!

After my memorial, I found myself waking up in my bed. I remembered leaping up in total disbelief! How could this have happened? Was I truly reborn! I climbed out my bed and went straight to the mirror. Which brings us to the current present. I wasn’t sure how I came back, but I was most certainly glad I did. I picked up my phone, the date was June 23rd, 2020. Two weeks before my 20th birthday and two months before my disastrous wedding.

I won’t allow it! I didn’t know who or what brought me back to this world, but I would no longer live this miserable life. I would do things differently and live the life I deserved, but I also make those who ruined me suffer. That much, I was certain of.

After showering, I went into the kitchen, and if memory served me correctly, Olivia and my brothers were already having breakfast. In my previous life, my brothers became instantly annoyed once I sat down to eat and Olivia used it as an opportunity to not only have me make her some homemade cream of wheat, but also accidentally spilled it causing it to burn my hand and wrist.

As soon as I walked into the kitchen, just like the past, they all watched me. Each of my brothers scoffing while Olivia made sure she displayed the sweetest smile. In her sugary voice, she spoke first.

*“Good morning little sister! Did you sleep well?”*

Every morning, she would ask me that knowing my room was a mere storage closet with a small bed. Regardless, I would always smile and tell her I slept well. Not this time.

I looked at my fake adoptive sister with my most innocent smile.

*“Actually, I didn’t.”*

Olivia’s smile dropped and my brothers all lifted their heads. I continued.

*“Then again, that’s understandable. My room is literally a closet, and I sleep on a daybed with a thin mattress.”*

Olivia’s eyes bulged. She hadn’t expected me to answer like that. Brian as usual was the first to comment.

*“Are you actually complaining? There are people in this world who have nothing to sleep on. Ungrateful.”*

I smiled brightly at my pathetic brother.

*“Who’s complaining? I’m merely pointing out that the maids have better sleeping conditions than I do. Regardless of the fact that I now do more work that servants. But again, who’s complaining?”*

My voice dropped in a menacing tone, causing Brian’s brows to furrow. Noah then chimed in.

*“What is it that you want Graceland. A better room?”*

I turned my head and smiled at my poor excuse of an elder brother.

*“Why would I want that? The Rochesters give based on what they feel you are worth to them. Did you all know because that room is located towards the back I get all the cold in the winter and all the heat in the summer. And of course, because*

It’s an extra storage closet there are no vents. So, I would surmise, I’m not even worth more than the designer clothes you all wear. I’ve done your laundry, I’m aware of the vents.”

My brothers all sat with shocked expressions on their faces. I couldn’t tell if it was because of me having the audacity to say what I said, or if it was because they truly weren’t aware.

Leaving no room for a rebuttal, I finished my orange juice and began to leave. Suddenly, Olivia called out.

*“Wait! Grace, you’re not going to eat breakfast. You always cook cream of wheat on Wednesdays.”*

*“Nope, not today.”*

As I turned to leave she called out again.

*“But I was hoping…it’s just, I love your cream of wheat so much, I was hoping to share some with you.”*

I turned around slowly and looked at my sister’s plate, she’d already had pancakes, eggs, and sausage. Now she wanted cream of wheat. I looked at my sister and smirked.

*“Livie, such a big appetite, you’re not pregnant are you?”*

Olivia’s face turned completely ashen; her mask slipping for a moment as the anger shot through. Before she could say anything, in my best angelic voice, I quickly added.

*“Just kidding.”*

I quickly left the kitchen leaving them no time to say anything. I didn’t have time for the three stooges and their star puppet. I had a date with my destiny.