“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 86

***Graceland’s POV:***

Calvin stared at me with pure hatred in his eyes, never would he have imagined me disobeying him. Sharon soon stood up.

*“Calvin, honey, if she doesn’t want to marry Jonathan why force her? Everyone knows Jonathan loves Livie.”*

Jonathan soon chimed in.

*“Mom is right Mr. Rochester, I love Livie! I want to marry her! I’ll speak with my grandfather, please, let me marry Livie.”*

Brian chimed in.

*“Dad, Livie deserves to be happy! Why should Graceland get everything! She’s ungrateful and useless!”*

Useless, this coming from the guy that can’t take his own tests. Still, I didn’t care, I continued to eat. Finally, Noah spoke.

*“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing-”*

*“That’s because there is no game. I do not wish to marry Jonathan. His grandfather loves Livie; he’ll get over the whole pure blood thing.”*

Jonathan began to yell.

*“Don’t you dare mention my grandfather! And you’re right! He does love Livie! He actually cannot stand you! The only reason he wanted me to marry you is because you’re biologically a Rochester! If you-”*

*“Then there should be no problems.”*

Jonathan’s eyes widen. Never had I spoked this brazen to him. In the past, because I knew the families wanted us to marry, I tried my best to be as nice and compliant as possible in hopes that he would at least like and appreciate me.

Calvin began again.

*“You’re useless!! Completely useless! You hold no value to this family! You couldn’t even honor this family by marrying Jonathan! Don’t expect me to care about who your next betr-”*

*“I don’t need your help finding a husband father. I’ve already found my own.”*

Suddenly, the room fell quiet again. None of them expected me to say that.

Brian was the first to speak.

*“What are you lying for? As if someone would want to marry you. No one even knows you exist.”*

Noah chimed in.

*“Honestly Graceland, now is not the time for jokes. You should have just married Jonathan. It’s not like you would have been able to find anyone better.”*

I looked at Noah with a sardonic smile.

*“So, you think as good as I can get lies within marrying someone in love with another woman? Damn.”*

Noah’s eyes widen. Even he had to admit that sound absurd.

*“It beats the alternative.”*

Cole said in a low voice.

*“And what alternative would that be Cole?”*

*“Come on Graceland. Enough. You’re never going find someone as high a status as Jonathan. At best you’ll end up marrying some old man or becoming a mistress to another prominent figure. Is that really what you want?”*

Hearing him say those words aloud. I knew the Rochesters thought low of me, still, it cut me deep hearing it like this. Was that really all I was worth to them.

*“Who I marry is none of your concern Cole.”*

*“Graceland, look…now I’ve tried to be on your side-”*

*“When! When have you EVER been on my side? When has ANY of you been on my side? You all just use me as your emotional punching bag to make yourselves feel good.”*

Cole’s eyes widen before a look of guilt shined on his face. Perhaps that pea sized brain was trying to think of a time and he couldn’t.

Suddenly, Olivia chimed in with her tears guest starring.

*“Grace. Please. Don’t do this. It’s true, Jonathan and I love each other, but we’ve known each other our whole lives. Still, if it means you can be happy, I would much rather you marry him.”*

I stared at Olivia with not a hint of emotion. The rest of the family, however, flocked.

*“Livie don’t do this! She doesn’t deserve it!”*

Brian yelled as he glared at me.

*“Livie, you’re too good a person. Graceland is ungrateful.”*

Noah walked over to her, his words basically telling me he regretted ever possibly choosing my side over hers.

*“I won’t do it Livie!! I love you!!”*

Jonathan cried out while hugging her tight.

Suddenly, Sharon made her way over to me as I stood to leave.

***SLAP!***

Sharon hit my face hard, my cheek felt like it was on fire.

*“How dare you disrespect this family like this! I should never have brought you back here! You’re nothing but a plague! If only that fool-”*

Sharon stopped mid-sentence as if she were about to say too much. Composing herself, she walked back over to Olivia. What the hell was that about? Glaring back at Sharon, I spoke.

*“Let that be the last time you ever put your hands on me again.”*

Sharon's eyes widen as she backed away. The eeriness of my tone and my eyes made her nervous.

I looked around at the freakshow also know as my family. She was right one thing; I didn’t belong here. I decided now was the time to tell them.

*“Father, I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.”*

Silence.

*“And going where! I have no time for your drama-”*

*“To South Bay. I’ve been offered a marriage proposal from the Christiansens.”*

The room fell quiet for a moment before laughter erupted.

*“Hahahah!! I must say Graceland; you definitely have a future in comedy. What type of fools do you take us for!”*

Jonathan continued to laugh.

*“Graceland, enough of the lies. Why would a family as prominent as the Christiansens want you to marry their son?”*

Noah looked at me with pure disgust.

Shrugging my shoulders, face nonchalant.

*“Ask them yourself tomorrow. They’ll be here in the morning.”*

Silence.

*“Graceland, what type of game are you playing at?”*

I looked Calvin dead in the eyes and walked away. Five minutes later, I returned with an envelope in my hand and tossed it on the table. Calvin looked at me with a puzzled expression.

*“What’s this!”*

*“It’s the marital contract from the Christiansens. Ready for you to sign.”*

Noah walked over near Calvin, snatching the envelop off the table he ripped it open. After reading over the first page, his face began to pale. At the very top was the official House Christiansen seal. Scanning the contents he looked over at my father.

*“Dad, it’s true.”*

***GASPS!!!***

*“What! Let me see!”*

Calvin scanned over the first page, his eyes beaming with joy, it was true, his daughter was marrying into House Christiansen. Suddenly, Calvin squealed with joy.

*“Graceland!!! This is wonderful news!!! Why didn’t you tell me this sooner!!!”*

Sharon’s eyes widen along with Olivia and Jonathan.

*“What! Are you telling me it’s true! SHE is marrying into House Christiansen! How!!”*

Calvin looked at Sharon with irritation. He didn’t care about the how’s or whys, all he knew was he would now have the protection, benefits, and connections of House Christiansen.

*“Who cares how!”*

Calvin beamed as he made his way over to me with a huge smile on his face.

Disgusting.

*“Finally, Graceland, finally you’re showing you’re worthy of being a Rochester.”*

This fucking prick. So I guess years of being a maid and step stool wasn’t showing my worth.

He moved in to hug me, but I stepped back. For a brief moment, I could see an expression of anguish, masking it with a smile, he continued.

*“What time will they be here tomorrow?”*

*“9am. So, I need you to sign those documents as soon as possible.”*

I spoke in a disassociated tone causing Noah to get agitated.

*“Is THIS why you’ve been behaving this way? You think you’re special because you’re marrying into House Christiansen?”*

Calvin glared at me.

*“I most certainly hope not! Never forget Graceland, you are a Rochester first!”*

I smiled inwardly, not according to my contract.