“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 85

***Graceland’s POV:***

After I went to my room I suddenly felt exhausted. It wasn’t even 5 o’clock and I’d already felt like I had full day. After getting comfortable, I heard a knock on my door.

*‘What the hell do they want now!’*

I opened the door to find Noah standing there looking at me impassively. Taking a deep sigh, I spoke.

*“Is there something else wrong Noah?”*

Noah’s face twitched up. His expression looked almost surprised. Quickly fixing his composure, he explained his reason for being at my door.

*“It’s nothing wrong Graceland. You don’t have to act like that’s the only reason I would come to your door.”*

Scoff!

This asshole! It IS the only reason! In the seven plus years I lived in this crap house never once did he or anyone else come visit. Not wanting to start another back and forth, I remained silent, he continued.

*“Father will be home by 6pm. We’ll be having a family dinner with Jonathan. Your birthday is coming up, both you and Livie will be 20. It’s time to choose a suitor for you both. Father will expect you.”*

What??? Had something change? In my previous life the infamous suitors dinner didn’t happen until June 28th. That was why I originally intended to stay here until then. Why did the day change? I looked at Noah nervously wondering what else might change. It’s not that I didn’t expect change, hell, I welcomed it. But there were some things I expected to remain the same. Guess the butterfly effect is real.

*“I’ll be up at 6pm.”*

Noah nodded and walked away, I quickly shut my door to update my in-laws.

***\[Hey future mother-in-law! I wanted to update you about tonight; I’ll be informing me family of my engagement tonight. Is that okay?”***

**……..**

***\[Of course! This is perfect! Theo and I will head to Kingston tonight. That way we can get you first thing in the morning!”***

**………**

***\[Excellent! I’ll see you soon!\]***

I was elated! My nightmare in this hellish house was finally coming to an end. I quickly grabbed my old suitcase and began packing my things. I planned on leaving every piece of hand me down clothing the Rochesters had ever given me. No way was I bringing that dark energy into my new life. Not having much, I was able to finish my packing quickly. Afterwards, I decided to take a nap, setting my alarm for 6pm, I closed my eyes finally allowing my body to rest.

My alarm went off at exactly 6pm causing me to jolt out of my sleep. I could feel my heart pounding as the sweat dripped from my forehead. I was still having nightmares about that fire. After calming myself, I quickly went to the bathroom to freshen myself up. Not wanting to do too much, I decided to put my hair into a ponytail and wore a pair of jeans and a graphic T-shirt.

As I made my way towards the dining room, I could hear loud voices and laughter.

*“Jonathan, you must tell your mother to share her famous secret recipe for her peach cream pies! Livie has been dying to learn how to make one for you.”*

Tuh! Olivia cooking, that’s a laugh. In my previous life they wouldn’t even let her boil water.

As soon as I walked into the dining room all the laughter stopped. Everyone’s faces instantly tighten as I made my way to a seat. Suddenly, my mother spoke with disdain in her throat.

*“This is what you decided to wear to dinner! We have a guest! Where’s that dress you claim you purchased.”*

I was wearing a pair old sweatpants and a T-shirt.

I looked at Sharon, and then at Jonathan, speaking nonchalantly, I responded.

*“I’m saving that for someone special.”*

The room fell deathly quiet. All eyes now on me. Jonathan’s eyes widen. I’m sure he expected me to choose him tonight as my fiancé. Suddenly, my father spoke.

*“Who would be more special than Jonathan Brooks! If you have a new dress go change now!”*

Before I could respond, Olivia jumped up.

*“Dad, maybe we shouldn’t make Grace uncomfortable. I think she looks fine.”*

I scoffed inwardly. Who was she trying to fool, she just didn’t want me to upstage her in front of her beloved Jonathan. It’s not that Olivia was unattractive, quite the opposite in fact, however, in terms of natural beauty I had her beat, and if I actually went out my way to dress up, she couldn’t compare. Tonight, she’d put on her Sunday’s best in order to impress Jonathan.

My father looked at me once more annoyed but caved for Olivia.

*“Fine, take your seat!”*

He barked at me with pure annoyance in his eyes. As I say down, my three brothers all stared at me with the same look of annoyance while my mother and Olivia continued to talk with Jonathan.

*“Graceland! Has your manners ran away from you today?!”*

Confused, I looked at my father…what now? Before I could respond, he continued.

*“You haven’t said hello to our guest yet! Stand up and greet Jonathan.”*

*“Why, he didn’t speak to me either.”*

The words flew out faster than I intended like a natural reflex.

Although my tone was low, it was stern. When I looked up at my father, I could see his face reddening from pure anger.

*“What did you just say!!”*

*“The truth. I said the truth.”*

My father was about to explode when Noah jumped in.

*“Graceland! Stop this at once! How dare you embarrass us in front of Jonathan!”*

I didn’t say a word; instead, I continued to eat my salad.

Jonathan scoffed.

*“It’s okay Noah, I don’t expect her to be as graceful as Livie. Why my grandfather cares so much about bloodlines is beyond me.”*

I continued to eat. Unable to bare it, Calvin slammed his hand onto the table.

*“Graceland! I am your father! You will NOT disrespect me in my house! Enough is enough! You think just because I sympathized with you last night you can act like this!”*

Sharon soon chimed in.

*“You see Calvin, this is what I mean. She is completely ungrateful! I cannot believe she is my daughter!”*

Brian saw that as his opportunity to jump in.

*“That’s because she’s not mom! The only daughter you have, the only sister we have…is Livie.”*

He sneered the words with a smug tone expecting me to react. In my previous life, something like this would have brought me to tears. I continued to eat.

Noah scoffed,

*“Graceland, you’ll do well to show Jonathan some respect. He’s going to be your husband soon. We will not tolerate embarrassment!”*

Putting my fork down, I stared at Noah with a blank expression.

*“Who said he’s going to be my husband.”*

The entire room fell silent. Even the maids stopped in their tracks for a brief moment.

My father, Noah, and Jonathan all stared at me like I had three heads. In a menacing tone, Calvin spoke.

*“What did you just say?”*

I repeated myself.

*“Who said I was going to marry Jonathan?”*