“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 79

***Graceland’s POV:***

After meeting my fiancé, an older gentleman walked into the room. If I had to guess, this was Teddy, Theo’s father and Kai’s grandfather. Theo immediately walked over.

*“Dad, you’re just in time. This Graceland, Kai’s new fiancé.”*

I walked over to Teddy and bowed.

*“It’s a pleasure to meet you Lord Christiansen.”*

When I raised my head, he had a serious look on his face. Suddenly, he held his arms out.

*“What’s with this formal crap! Call me grandpa!”*

I smiled brightly as I hugged Teddy. This family was amazing.

After the formalities, we all sat in Kai’s suite getting to know each other. While I appreciated Marla and Theo for protecting the truth surrounding my upbringings, I didn’t want to hold anymore secrets than I had too. Eventually, my identity could come out, I would rather my new family knew the full truth than find out the wrong way.

*“So, you see, I don’t exactly come from the savoriest background. I appreciate Marla and Theo for trying to protect my full truth, but I don’t want something like this to come out later and you all be blindsided. I’ll also understand if this may be too much and you would like to rescind the proposal.”*

Everyone sat in silence for a moment. Theo was the first one to speak.

*“Your adoptive mother, she never told you the truth.”*

*“No sir. I didn’t learn my identity until the accident.”*

*“I see. Well, I’m not sure why she did what she did, though I certainly sympathize with her losing a child. Still, what I find most disturbing is your actual biological family. I don’t like the Rochesters one bit for how they’ve treated you.”*

I looked up in shock as the people around me showed concerned and even anger at what my real family did over the past several years. Kayla, who now had tears in her eyes hugged me tightly.

*“I’m sorry for giving you a hard time. Kai…he’s my big brother and my best friend…and I-”*

I hugged Kayla again stopping her mid-sentence. She didn’t have to explain. I know what it’s like to want to protect someone you love and cherish.

Theo was the next to speak.

*“I don’t want you staying in that house any longer. We won’t prolong the engagement announcement between the two families. Gracie, when is your 20th birthday?”*

*“It’s July 7th, my father will be speaking with my sister and I soon about choosing a suitor. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to tell them this weekend.”*

The Christiansens all looked at me with concern. I knew what they were worried about, whether I would be abused in any type of way before making it to their estate.

*“Are you sure you wanna wait until then? I’m sure they’ll at least pretend to love you once they find out you’re marrying into-”*

I held up my hand to cut my new father in law off. That was precisely why I DIDN’T want to tell them.

*“Dad, that’s exactly why I want to wait. I don’t want anymore fake love from those people. I also don’t want them benefitting from this family, though I don’t see a way around it.”*

Theo and Teddy both looked at each other, having studied law and handled thousands of contracts over the years, they knew a thing or two about brokering deals.

*“Actually, I’m not fond of that idea either. I may have a way to get around that.”*

Teddy looked at me with a mischievous grin. I think I’m gonna like my new grandfather very much!

The time was now 5pm, I had been with my new family for over three hours, and the truth was, I didn’t want it to end. I had already informed my mother I would be hanging with Joe until about 9pm so she wasn’t expecting me home until about 10pm. As I stood up to leave, everyone came and hugged me tight.

Marla was the last. Before letting me go, she whispered something in my ear.

*“One day, my son is going to wake up and we’ll share a little story with you. One that you’ve forgotten.”*

???????

I looked at her with puzzled look, Marla smiled at me and asked that I notify her when I got home.

I arrived at home around 10:15pm. After saying goodnight to my driver, I sent Marla a goodnight text letting her know I made it home safe.

*\[Not home. Get into the habit of calling that place the Rochester Estate. Home will be where your heart is 😊\]*

*\[😊 yes ma’am! Good night!\]*

I smiled brightly as I made my way to the front door. Are the foyer lights still on? Weird.

As soon as I opened the door, I felt a huge sting to my face.

***SLAP!***

I went flying into the wall. My face felt like it was on fire. As I tried to regain my eyesight, I looked up in confusion. Who had hit me and why? Suddenly, I could see Sharon staring at me with fire in her eyes.

*“Explain this!”*

What? I looked at my biological mother confused. Was that a necklace in her hand?

*“I-I don’t understand. What did I do?”*

*“Playing innocent!! Don’t think you can fool me! I found this in your room!”*

WHAT????????

*“It’s not enough you hold no value to this family! But to also be a thief! To bite the hands that feed you!”*

*“I have no idea what you’re talking about!”*

*“You stole my necklace that I was giving to your sister from my room!”*

*“What-”*

*“Don’t try to deny it! We found it in your room as the maids were switching them out!”*

I had no clue what they were referring too. But after my vision fully came back, I realized what necklace she was speaking about. It was a necklace given to my mother by her mother and she planned on giving it to Olivia for her 20th birthday.

Regaining my balance, I stood up slowly as everyone watched me with disgust in their eyes. What did she mean by switching them out? Was she moving my room? Why? First things first.

*“Mother, I’m not sure what is going on as I just got home, but there is no way I took that necklace.”*

Sharon glared at me, complete contempt in her eyes.

*“Are you calling me a liar.”*

*“Of course not. I am, however, calling you mistaken. There is no way I could have taken that necklace.”*

Suddenly, Brian chimed in.

*“Ugh!! You’re such a damn liar!! Even when you’re caught red handed!”*

Noah then spoke.

*“Honestly Graceland, and to think I vouched for you getting a better room only to find out you’re a thief.”*

Ah. So that’s what this is about. Olivia must’ve placed that necklace in my room when she found out they were moving me to better bedroom.

*“As I said. There is no way I could have taken this necklace.”*