Burn Those Who Burned Me novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

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As we all took our seats, four waiters entered the room to take our orders. We all ordered drinks, but

I handed a lunch menu to Ms. Fynch.

“This is one of the best restaurants in North Bay Ms. Fynch. It’d be a crime not to try their dining.”

She took the menu from me, hands slightly shaking. She was scared. Good.

After detailing the menu, she settled on a cuisine chicken dish. I allowed her a few more moments to settle before I began my interrogation.

“Ms. Fynch, my associate has already shown me the report as well as informed me much of what you told him. So, we don’t have to start from the beginning. I wanted to meet you face to face because I wanted to know the face of the person willing to put themselves at risk for my fiancé.”

“Obviously there is some skepticism on my end, you are the Rochesters‘ head maid after all. So, I need to know…why are you doing this?”

She smiled lightly at me.

“Mr. Christiansen…have you ever seen the light dim from a person’s eyes? As if all the promise those eyes held, suddenly faded into an abyss?”

I was confused by her question; but nodded no. She scoffed slightly.

“Well, I have. A twelve year old little girl was told she would be reunited with her long–lost family. When she arrived, her eyes were filled with love, excitement, happiness. Promise. Over the years however, I watched those same beautiful eyes slowly dull, sink, and disappear.”

I didn’t need a crystal ball to know she was speaking of Gracie. That family had damn nearly destroyed her.

“And then…one day I saw a fire in that same girl’s eyes. A fire that screamed they weren’t going to destroy her! A resolve to fight!”

She slammed her hand slightly on the table and took a deep sigh.

“I recognized that look Mr. Christiansen. I recognized it because I’d had once had that same resolve….When my father decided I was to be payment for HIS debts. I realized it was either fight…or

die.”

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11:13 Thu, Sep 11

Chapter 171

We all sat in silence, I couldn’t begin to imagine what this woman experienced in her youth.

“The Rochesters…they saved me. Gave me salvation. I came to Kingston with nothing. No education, no money, no real experience. Every job I applied too…they all turned me down. Until I applied for a maid’s position for one of North Bay’s most affluent households. I knew they were going to tell me no. Tell me I had no experience. Turn me away like the others. Instead, for reasons I’ll never know…Mrs. Rochester decided to give me a chance.”

Her voice was wrapped in guilt as she spoke of her employers. Obvious confliction for her betrayal.

“I was loyal to them. For over 25 years…I was loyal! I loved my employers; I loved their children. And even with their imperfections….I loved my job. Because it gave me my freedom.”

I stared at Zelma Fynch with a puzzled expression. If she felt this way…why was she here.

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“Ms. Fynch, I appreciate you for sharing this with me…but I have to ask. If THIS is how you feel…why are you her-”

“Because they were going to do to her what my father tried to do to me! Sell her!!”

She cut me off before I could finish my question, the tears began to stream down her face. I could

see the pain in her eyes.

“Even after everything that poor child did. All the humiliation she endured…trying to get that family to love her…it still wasn’t enough! They treated her like cattle instead of a daughter. I’d watched it for over seven years Mr. Christiansen. I watched that light dim…”

Parys handed her a napkin so that she could wipe her tears.

“But then…then one day…there was…that shine!!! It was slowly coming back…and there was just no way I could watch them destroy it again. So, you see…I HAD to help her!”

I nodded my head to her response. I understood. Suddenly, Parys spoke.

“Ms. Fynch…I don’t doubt your words…they are filled with an emotion I’ve never experienced. Thank you for that. But I hope you understand; Gracie is our family…she means a great deal for a lot of reasons. How do we know we can trust you?”

She looked at Parys with a warm expression and smiled.

“Because we all want the same thing…for Graceland to have Justice.”

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Chapter 171

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My eyes widen; she was right. Everyone is this room wanted one thing above everything else… Justice

for Gracie.

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