Stacey's POV
"We're here," Connor stated.
My attention was drawn to the cemetery. The rain was pouring heavily, and I could feel the chill. My memories with my grandmother sink in instantly. She is precious to me, but she was taken away from me.
"Your father did a great job hiding this cruelty from you for two years. He wanted to enslave you by telling you lies about your grandmother's situation," he said.
"How did you know she was buried here?" I inquired.
"I work on searching for you and what has happened to your life since I left. I discovered it had become worse, so I tried to find your grandmother to check on her until someone led me here. She was paid by your dad to keep lying to you, and stop updating you for two years."
After hearing that, I quickly unlock the car and head out even though it's raining. He shouted, causing me to stop walking, but I didn't face him.
"You'll get sick, Stacey. It will be bad for you and the baby's health," he said.
I sighed deeply, "I can take care of myself." I marched away and looked at the white house Connor mentioned to me in the car.
He said the tomb was neglected and was covered with dirt and grass. So, he hired someone to look after it and make a white house to ensure it will stay in good shape. I paused when my eyes spotted the white house and walked towards it with big steps.
I halted in front of the door, exhaled deeply, and headed in. The place looked like a home, but my attention was captured by my mother's picture above her grave. I stepped slowly, keeping my eyes on my grandmother's face because I couldn't remember when was the last time I saw her smile.
I touch her grave, letting my tears rush to my cheeks as I lean my head on it. I cry in pain and disappointment because I wasn't there when my grandmother needed me, she suffered from my dad's cruelty. Me being his slave isn't enough and he had to take my grandmother's life. He's an animal!
"I made sure this place would feel like home, Stacey. Your grandmother was killed slowly by your father, she was given some of her medication and let her die painfully…"
I chuckled sarcastically, "Well, that's my father. He ensures I'll regret being born since I learned to read, and now he has made my grandmother suffer, too. He always uses her to scare me and it becomes my weakness."
"I have sent the invitation to our guests. My secretary also ensures your father will receive the invitation while assuring your name won't be mentioned until the party comes. Everything is in the perfect place, Stacey."
He came to me and handed me the folder, "Here's what you asked me. I prepare everything as you wish."
I take it from his hand and read the contents of the paper inside. It was the contract I made him to make, and I'm glad Connor is not hindering my wishes. I grabbed the pen and signed it without hesitation before handing it back to him.
"Are you really sure about this, Stacey?"
I nodded, "My life is messy enough to make you involved with it. As I've said, I will carry and give birth to your child while you're helping me collect their overdue debt."
He sighed, "If you say so, Stacey. As I told you, I will support you until the end."
I did everything they wanted me to do. I became their maid, endured their mistreatment, put my dreams aside, and let them rule my life. But the tables have turned, and it's time to make them pay. I will let them torture me for the rest of my life, but including my grandmother in their nonsense is a different story.
"When the day my father abandoned me after the death of my mother, you became my rest. You taught me how to be strong and numb, Grandma. I thought marrying the man I love would help me get out of that hell, but he became the key to trapping me inside that hell… I shouldn't have believed my father and escaped to see you, but I was too scared he would stop paying for your needs…"
I fell on the floor as my knees weakened and cried, "I've become stupid and delusional. I stay by my father's side because I hope someday he'll love me like Cindy, but he never did…"
"Because you're not his biological daughter," Connor interfered.
His news stunned me, making me stand up and turn to face him. "What?"
He moved closer, keeping his eyes on me. "Your life has been a lie, Stacey. He keeps you by his side because he knows you're not his, and that secret was found by the investigator I hired one month ago. He loves your mother dearly, but she chose his brother and got pregnant with you. However, his brother died in duty and left your mom to Mr. Davidson. But she died in childbirth."
"I made a promise, didn't I? I search for you and here I am, Stacey."
"Why are you telling me this? Did you intend to tell me the information that I didn't know to fuel my rage?"
"No. I told you the truth because you deserve to know it, Stacey. My money will be our bait, and I assure you they will bite it. He wants my company and we're going to give him that."
He took my hand and placed it on his chest, "We will make them pay. Your father, step-mother, fiancé, and sister."
"Connor…" I mumbled.
He stood by my side and turned to my grandmother without letting go of my hand. "I promise to your grave that I will protect your granddaughter, grandmother."
His promises aren't meant to be broken. Connor is no longer the boy I knew fourteen years ago; he has become a man. But his heart remains pure.
Connor glanced at me, "Stacey will be safe by my side. We will get the justice you deserve, and I will help her achieve everything because that's how important she is to me."