Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 51

**Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint 51**

**Grace**

“Are you heading to Mr. Grayson’s residence?” the driver inquired, though his tone suggested he was more certain than curious.

I wasn’t in the mood for conversation. My thoughts were a tangled mess, swirling like leaves caught in a storm. Yet, I wasn’t the kind of person to brush off someone, especially not someone who appeared to have a lifetime of wisdom etched into the lines of his face. So, I offered a slight nod. “I am.”

The driver beamed at me, a sense of pride radiating from him as if he had a personal connection to the man I was about to confront.

“Ah, Mr. Grayson! Such a wonderful man,” he said, his voice filled with warmth. “His family seems so perfect. He’s done remarkable things for our community. I truly hope to meet him one day.”

I turned my gaze to the window, watching the world blur by as we drove.

What a convenient way to describe someone, I thought bitterly. Convenient, indeed, instead of calling him manipulative.

He had no clue about the truth.

People adored the family man, the savior of justice that he pretended to be. But that was merely a façade. The reality was far darker; he was the sort who wore a charming smile while slowly dismantling your spirit, who twisted your words until you doubted your own sanity.

Yet, I felt too drained to set the record straight. Even if I did, what would be the outcome? He wouldn’t believe me. Figures like Mr. Grayson were untouchable, not due to their goodness, but because they were cunning enough to maintain their polished image.

“I see,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

A heavy silence enveloped us once again.

As the car approached the estate, it slowed to a halt in front of the imposing mansion. I opened the door and stepped out, the chill of the evening air biting at my skin.

I fished out a couple of bills from my pocket and handed them to the driver.

He accepted them with a nod, offering me a gentle smile. “Thank you, ma’am. Have a pleasant night.”

As he drove off, I turned my attention to the mansion, a shiver coursing through me.

Was it the cold that made me tremble, or was it the creeping dread nestled deep within my gut?

I had no inkling of what awaited me inside, but I was certain it wouldn’t be pleasant. I exhaled slowly, attempting to calm the frantic rhythm of my heart.

At that moment, I couldn’t care less about anyone else. My friends and the twins were my priority. I had to shield them from whatever storm was brewing.

With determination, I stepped forward.

The security guards at the gate scrutinized me for a moment before nodding in silent acknowledgment and allowing me to pass. I walked up the long driveway, my heart pounding harder with each step as the grand front door loomed closer.

Before I could raise my hand to knock, the door swung open, revealing a maid standing there, her hands clasped demurely in front of her.

“Miss Grace,” she greeted, bowing her head slightly. “I’ve been instructed to escort you inside.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and resolve.

The maid turned and led the way, and I followed her into the mansion. Every detail of the place screamed opulence.

I had forgotten just how wealthy Charles’ family was. His father wasn’t merely a successful businessman; he was a prominent public figure, a name that echoed through society.

Which was why I had hoped he would be too preoccupied to involve himself in my life.

I muttered under my breath, “I suppose I was too optimistic.”

“Yes, Miss Grace?” the maid asked, her gaze fixed ahead, not turning back to look at me.

I blinked, startled. “Oh, no, I wasn’t addressing you.”

We continued down the lengthy corridor, faint voices and laughter drifting toward us from the other end.

My mother nodded sympathetically, leaning in closer. “I understand completely. If it were my son, I would be livid as well.”

“And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t adopt children that aren’t yours by blood,” Charles’ mother snapped. “They lack discipline, gratitude—just useless brats who do whatever they please and bring shame to the family.”

“Mom, please don’t—” Charles began, but she waved him off dismissively.

“Am I wrong?” she challenged, locking eyes with my mother. “She’s merely an adoptive daughter, not even your real child. And yet she struts around as if she’s superior to everyone else. If she hadn’t been adopted, she wouldn’t have even made it through our front gate, let alone into our family. She should be grateful that Charles even considered her. A man like him is wealthy, attractive, and from a powerful family. She was fortunate to be an option, let alone a fiancée.”

Silence hung heavily in the air. My parents sat there, smiles plastered on their faces, as if this entire conversation was acceptable.

Charles stared at his lap, embarrassment washing over him, but he didn’t disagree. His father remained entirely disengaged, ignoring the tension in the room.

Disgust bubbled up in my throat.

I had never expected support from anyone in this room. They had never been on my side to begin with. Especially Charles’ mother; her disdain for me was evident, rooted solely in my status as an adopted child.

I stepped forward, unable to contain myself any longer.

“I’m glad we’re all in agreement,” I declared boldly. “It makes it much easier for us to end this.”

Every head turned toward me, surprise etched across their faces.

My mother looked utterly stunned, while my father’s jaw clenched tightly. Charles froze, the color draining from his face, and his mother narrowed her eyes, as if she were staring at something repugnant under her shoe.

His sister blinked, unfazed, while his father merely observed me, his expression blank yet a dangerous flicker glimmered in his eyes.

But I didn’t care.

“I’ll say it again, and this time in front of all of you: Charles and I are over.”