chapter783

"Mom, I messed up. I really, truly get it now. You and Dad always told me that no matter how badly I screwed up, as long as I owned up to it and tried to fix things, you wouldn't hold it against me. You promised you'd always protect me, always love me, that I'd forever be your little princess..."

Kylie and Cameron went quiet. For a moment, it was like they were right back in those old days. Everything she said was true. They had made those promises. But that didn't mean she could hurt Lydia.

"Sir, Ma'am, don't you remember? Whenever Lucinda got into fights with other kids, you always took her side. You'd say, right or wrong, she'd always be your little treasure," Grace chimed in, trying to tug on their heartstrings.

Kylie's face turned cold. She looked straight at Grace and said, "Someone help her pack. Settle her pay, make sure she leaves right now. I don't ever want to see her in this house again."

Looking back, Kylie realized that ever since Lydia returned, Grace had ignored her every single time she came home, always needing a reminder to even say hello. Grace must have been scheming from day one, working in the shadows, feeding thoughts to Lucinda.

Grace knew there was no getting out of this. She was done here with the Norwood family. As long as Lucinda could stay, that was all that mattered.

"Sir, Ma'am, I'm sorry. I let you down. I'll leave now. Thank you for everything all these years."

"No, please, Grace, don't go..."

Lucinda felt like she was falling apart. She was terrified. Life without Grace? Who in this house would ever truly care about her again?

"Lucinda, I'm sorry. I should have protected you better. From now on, you have to take care of yourself."

Grace watched Lucinda sobbing, and tears rolled down her own cheeks. This was still her precious daughter. She couldn't being there for her anymore, couldn't look after her, and it broke her heart. But what choice did she have? This was the only way Lucinda could stay.

Kylie narrowed her eyes and gave Grace a warning. "You better not try anything else. If we find out, we'll call the police right away."

Elliot scoffed. "Actually, we should have called them this time."

Grace's heart pounded. She scramb

up, gave everyone a deep

bow and said, I'm sorry it's all my

fault. I'm leaving right now!

EMS

As Grace turned to go, Lucinda felt something inside her shatter.

"Grace, Grace! Please, don't go!"

Grace was the last bit of warmth she had in this family.

"Mom, Dad, Blake, Elliot, I swear I get it now. I'I never make the same mistake again. Please, just don't make Grace leave. She's taken care of me

makeight ears ean't

stand the thought of her leaving..."

Kylie and Cameron's faces were tight with mixed emotions. No wonder Grace had

felt so bold here. Lucinda had always been her shield.

Blake's voice was low and steady. "Lucinda, I warned you a long time ago. She's not good for you. Keeping her is around us, only going to Kart you. hurt If you'd listened to me and let her go back then, would any of this have happened?"

"Blake, it's not like that!"

"If you really can't bear to lose her," Blake said, his voice calm and cold, "then you

can leave with her."