Chapter 40: Back in prison

Chapter 40: Back in prison
“Where is my grandmother?” Grace enters the office. She pushed past Bette who tried to stop her. “What have you done?” she screamed. She reached her grandmother, looking into her eyes that were wide opened. She had to blink twice as she has the definite knowledge she was seeing a truth in the shadows of her staring eyes. She reached forward and closed her eyes. She suddenly wipes the tears from her face before she faced them.
“I want you both out of the mansion.” She suddenly said matter of fact.
“You don’t have the authority,” William said just as firmly.
“I do, as I am the direct bloodline of Madame Clarke.” Grace said in a voice neither so-called parents ever heard. “I will give you until sunset.”
“What if we refuse to leave?” Bette suddenly asked.
“Then I will unleash my hidden truth.” She clearly warns. She quickly looked down at her grandmother’s ring. She moved to carefully removed it. She then quickly needed to hold onto something as the earth seemed to moved. Without thinking, she quickly slipped the ring onto her finger. It then felt like the ring seemed to glue onto her skin. Before she could fully focused, the earth shook again.
“Who do you think you are, silly girl?” William stood upright facing her like a man of importance.
“I am Grace Clarke, and you certainly aren’t William Clarke. You are an imposter. I want you out of here.” She said with a voice dripping with fury. “I know what you did in this office.”
“Shut your mouth, bitch,” William moved quickly grabbing hold of her shoulders and start to shake her violently.
“Let go of me,” she said furious refusing to show them that she was rattled.
“I raised you. I will bring you down.” He shakes her again.
Grace suddenly realized she was in danger. She tried her best to escape his clutches. As she looks into his eyes, she sees truly how much he hates her but also the greed of wanting what she has.
Jesper and Erick both have felt the earth shake. The men now circle each other. But it clear their attention was focused upstairs. He suddenly made a choice, ignoring the other man and went in search of his wife.
“Grace, where are you?” he starts climbing the stairs.
“Jesper, help me,” she called from the office.
“I am coming,” he rushed up the stairs. The moment he burst through the door, Bette was waiting. She managed to hit him on the head. He has moved too fast, making the attack less effective. He felt the hit but his focus was on Grace being trapped in William’s arms.
“Let her go,” he warns once he stopped.
“Stay where you are,” William warns tightening his grip around her body. “I am done playing games.”
Jesper looks into Grace’s eyes. The moment he saw the fury in her eyes, he stood motionless, well aware they are equal in what they do. This was her fight.
“Stay calm,” he looks at William. The man seems to be sweating. “You can’t go anywhere. You better let her go before you regret what she was about to do.” He warns softly.
“I am not afraid of this bitch.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Jesper simply crossed his arms over his chest nodding his head slightly.
“Grace wiggled herself until her hands were free. She simply placed her hand over his, suddenly searing his skin with the heat from her touch. The moment he stepped away, she turned to face him. Her finger slide across his face burning him.
“What are you doing?” Bette screamed pushing against Grace. She turns around the look in her eyes enough to stop her actions instantly.
“Get out,” she warned again. “You, William Clarke killed my grandmother. You will pay for this.”
“You have no proof,” he said wincing from the burn on his hand and the side of his face.
“Jesper,” Erick stabbed the gun into his back.
“What do you want?” he keeps his eyes on his wife.
“Grace is going to marry me. I will declare it myself.” He said in his ear.
“She is my wife.” Jesper stayed motionless.
“No,” He stepped into view. “Grace, come here.” He orders.
“Stay where you are, Grace.” Jesper said.
“If you don’t do what I asked, I am going to kill him right now.” Erick said matter of fact. “Bette, bring her here.” He spoke.
“I am not touching her. Look at what she did to William.” She made a point of avoiding Grace.
“Bring Grace to me, now.”
Grace start walking towards both men, her eyes focus on her husband. She watched the changing of his eyes. Saying nothing she walked past them, as she needs to be somewhere else. The moment she approached the stairs, she briefly turned.
“Erick, let go of my husband.” She said smiling.
“Come to me,” he said.
“No, you come to me.” She keeps smiling.
Jesper stood motionless very aware he was replaying his past. He watches Grace, as this was clearly her moment to choose the path. He looks at William, who watches her with obvious hate in his eyes. Bette’s face was a mixture of hate and sexual jealousy. It was like he was looking in slow motion as she was rushing toward Grace who stood very vulnerable on the edge of the stairs.
“Grace Clarke, you belong to me.” Erick declared reaching for her.
“No Erick,” Bette was right in front of Grace. She didn’t even think twice before she pushed her down the flight of stairs. Grace grabbed at her but she managed to hold onto the railing.
William has moved forward, now watching as Grace finally stopped falling. She lay motionless on the floor.
Bette rushed down to kneel beside her. She then looked up the stairs before she screamed. “You killed her, you bastard.”
Jesper was slow in moving. Now standing on the top of the stairs, she heard the familiar words echo around him. He looks toward Erick Dawn who now stood beside him. “Neither of us will have her,” he said smirking
Jesper simply grabbed hold of him forcing them both to tumble down the flight of stairs. They land with a loud splash on the floor. The moment his eyes focus, he realized he was back in the showers of the prison. Instead of Gregor Drake kicking him, he now looks into the distorted face of Erick Dawn…