“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 83

***Graceland’s POV:***

After my meeting with Erin, I was excited! For the first time in two lifespans, I had something to look forward to! After the meeting, Teddy and Marla called to check on me.

*“And Erin? How’d you like her?”*

The excitement in Teddy’s voice made me laugh. I could tell he was enjoying this. Marla grabbed the phone shortly after.

*“Gracie, I know we agreed on the weekend, but I just don’t feel secure with you staying there. How about you come tomorrow instead?”*

I pondered what my mother-in-law said with last night’s events replaying in my mind.

*“Sure! Let’s do tomorrow!”*

I could hear both Marla and Kayla both squeal. It warmed my heart knowing I could bring them some type of happiness, I knew they were sad about Kai.

I decided to treat myself to a nice lunch. In my previous life, after my mom died, I was never treated to  nice dinners. Not by my family or my so called husband. I’d stay back watching the Rochesters all go out and celebrate; parties, dinners, galas. All while explaining to me why I had to say.

Jonathan, he would think of a million reasons to take Olivia out and just as many not to take me.

*“You know Olivia’s been feeling unwell, I’m just taking her dinner because her stomach has been hurting.”*

*“Look, we’ve been over this, Olivia just wanted to talk to someone she trusts. It’s just dinner! Why are you being so damn petty!”*

All those broken promises and feelings of emptiness would soon be coming to an end! From now on, I was going to live my life and be happy with my new family! I was also going to figure out how to wake my husband up.

I decided to eat at a restaurant called The Palto. Over the years, I’d heard a lot of good things about the place from the Rochesters. I would hear them coming home some nights bragging about how great the food was.

*“OMG! That food was so delicious!”*

Olivia would often make sure she highlighted the evening for me.

*“Oh, Graceland! I wish you were there! We had the most delicious dessert! Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, that’s your favorite right?”*

Olivia knew what many of my favorite foods and desserts were so to antagonize me, she would order them just so she could brag about how good it was.

Eventually, I stopped eating my favorite sweets and meals altogether. Today, however, I think I’ll enjoy it once again. After being seated by the hostess, I looked over my menu. The Rochesters weren’t aware, but my mother left me a small inheritance of thirty-thousand dollars. The day after her funeral, an attorney visited me in the hospital explaining all the details.

*“I’m so sorry for your loss Ms. Graceland. Diana was an amazing woman.”*

At the time, I was still in shock about her death. I hadn’t said much of anything during my stay at the hospital or even at her funeral. I smiled lightly at the attorney nodding my head in place of speaking.

*“I know you’re still in recovery, so I’ll make this quick. Your mother took out a life insurance policy for you a few weeks after moving to Willington. She wanted to make sure if anything ever happened to her she could leave you with something.”*

The attorney handed me a blue debit card. On it was a balance of 30k. Knowing it was the last thing my mother would ever give me, I could never bring myself to spend even a dollar. Today, I would use my mother’s card and order her favorite dish and my favorite dessert. I had a new life ahead of me and I wanted to celebrate with her!

The Rochesters were right about one thing, The Palto’s food was absolutely amazing! After lunch, I headed to the mall. I decided to buy me a few new dresses and a gift for my new in-laws; I wanted to look my best or at the very least the best I could afford when I went with the Christiansens tomorrow. This family had already given me so much, I wanted to show my appreciation.

I settled on this beautiful crystal whale as a gift for the Christiansens. Seeing as to how I met Marla in the ocean, I felt it was fitting. For me, the ocean didn’t represent a day she wanted to end her life, it represented the day we both cleansed away our sorrows. In my previous life, I’d missed that message…never again! I decided I would give them the gift after Kai, and I officially became engaged.

After leaving the Crystal Hour Boutique, I headed to a popular dress store in the mall. While looking at different dresses, I spotted this beautiful pink sundress. The flowers on it reminded me of the flowerbed my mother and I planted in the backyard of our cottage. As I was walking towards the register, I heard someone call me name. Turning around, I could see Olivia’s friend Tiffany Means walking towards me.

In my previous life, Tiffany was one of the people that would also often torture me for the sake of Olivia. She knew Olivia hated me and took pleasure in making my life a living hell, especially when we were in high school. As the memories started to flood my thoughts, I could feel my eyes darkening as she grew closer.

*“I thought that was you! Hi Graceland!”*

She spoke in this sweet and sugary voice displaying a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Equally as stoic, I smiled back.

*“It’s good to see you Tiffany, I hope all has been well.”*

Tiffany smirked; she’d been standing with two other girls I had never seen before. As I turned to leave, she pulled my arm.

*“Oh, how cute! Did the Rochesters finally give you a little money, so you can stop wearing Livie’s hand me downs? That’s so nice of them!”*

The two girls began to laugh. I simply smiled and calmly replied.

*“Actually Tiffany, I earned this money through tutoring others."*

I decided to go with that lie in case the Rochesters wondered where i money from and accused me of stealing again.

*"You remember don’t you? How my grades were 10 times better than yours and Olivia’s. It’s a shame you never let me tutor you, you might have been able to graduate higher than number 381.”*

Tiffany’s face instantly turned red as her two friends stood in shock. Guess they didn’t know their ringleader was a ring idiot. Fume began to steam out her mouth as she began to yell.

*“Whatever Graceland! Ha! I guess you had to be good at something, you’re literally the Rochesters’ maid. It’s a shame you weren’t stolen by someone of higher-”*

I walked directly to Tiffany’s face to make sure no one but she could hear my next set of words; causing her to stop mid-sentence as she stared at me startled. As she backed away slowly, slight fear in her eyes as she could tell my expression had grown dangerous, she nervously spoke.

*“W-What the hell are you-”*

*“Do me a favor Tiffany. Please don’t ever speak of my mother again because I won’t hesitate to gladly go to prison if it means removing your tongue from your mouth.”*

I smiled and eerily cheerful smile as the words poured threw like acid. Tiffany’s eyes widen, slight fear on her face. Regaining her composure, she scoffed.

*“Whatever Graceland. Freak. Come on girls, let’s go.”*

Watching her and her two goofy goffers leave the store; I smiled in triumph. I then walked over to the register, paid for my dress, and then made my way back to the Rochester estate.