CHAPTER - 33 Grace informs about the marriage

“Madam, you are awake! Should I wake up the chef and ask him to prepare dinner for you?” The butler asked.

“No, I am fine. Where is Mason?” Grace asked him.

“Sir left a few hours ago and hasn’t returned yet.” He reported to her.

“Ok.” She leaned against the sofa and switched on the TV.

Noticing the Butler was still standing next to the side table, without even glancing at him, she ordered,

“You can go back now. I will wait here until Mason returns home. Anyway, I had enough sleep already and I am not sleepy anymore.”

Butler hesitated for a second and then said, “Ok, Madam. In case, if you need anything, please give me a call. I will come back right away.”

Grace didn’t respond to him. The butler waited for a few minutes before turning around to leave. He didn’t know if she knew about Tina being missing. Looking at her calm demeanor, he understood that she must not have been informed about it. 

If the family members decided to not inform her then he could not say anything as well. On his way back to his quarters, he decided to tell all the maids and servants to not disclose anything to the madam until the family decides to disclose the truth.

…

When Mason came home several hours later, Grace was still sitting on the couch staring blanking at the roof. The TV screen was playing some random early morning news but her concentration was elsewhere.

Mason looked at her and decided to avoid her. But just before he could climb the stairs, Grace who had already noticed him turned around and scorned.

“We need to talk. Come and sit here,” She uttered in a neutral tone.

Mason took a deep breath and sat on the couch opposite her. Normally, he would sit next to her but this time he couldn’t bring himself to do that. There are many things he was hiding from her and he was feeling guilty and vile.

Grace didn’t start talking instantly and kept on thinking about how she must start the topic of her daughter’s marriage. At the same time, he was struggling to inform her about Tina’s disappearance. 

As she was not someone who could talk smoothly or tangentially, she came directly to the point. She could already guess his reaction, so she was not disheartened to hear his answer.

“I fixed the marriage for my daughter, Tina. She would get married in two weeks. Also, the bridegroom is one of the most influential figures who is much better than us in status and power.” She announced and looked at Mason provokingly.

She was ready to face him and retaliate against him if he disagreed with her arrangement. But Mason didn’t respond as he was too shocked to even speak one word.

Millie, who had just entered the mansion was way beyond shocked. She rushed forward and slapped her daughter without any warning. Millie couldn’t sleep all night as she was worried about both her granddaughters. 

When she noticed Mason’s car entering the driveway, she dashed here to check if there were any updates. But the minute Millie set foot inside the mansion, she heard what Grace informed Mason. Her blood boiled and anger blinded her eyes.

Grace was not expecting her mother at that time. It’s too early in the morning and she had decided to handle Mason first before informing anyone. Her ears started to ring because of the harsh slap she received from her mother. This is the first time someone slapped her and it just has to be her mother.

“What is wrong with you, mom? Why are you here at this time?” Grace stared at her with contempt.

“Did you just ask me, what is wrong with me? What is wrong with you, Grace? What is wrong with you? How could you do such a grave sin? Do you even know what condition your daughters are in?...” Before Millie could say anymore, Mason shouted.

“Mom!” Mason looked at her and shook his head to stop her from saying any more.

As Grace was still raged about the slap, her mind didn’t process the word ‘Daughters’. So she relaxedly asked,

“If you all don’t try to come between me and my daughter, then everything would be alright. Why? As a mother, am I not supposed to look for any potential groom for my daughter?” 

“I am not saying you cannot. But you have to respect her likes and dislikes as well. Did you even check with her if she wants to marry right now? Or at least does she like the groom?” Millie screamed angrily.

“She is my daughter. My daughter would listen to what I say,” Grace announced proudly.

“Aren’t you lucky then? Look at me, at the same time. It’s my mistake to have a daughter like you who doesn’t listen to her mother and acts rashly without caring about anyone’s feelings. I wish that I never had a daughter like you,” Millie uttered and moved forward to hit Grace once again.

Mason rushed forward and stopped her. Grace glared at her mom’s wild behavior and huffed.

“I also wish that I didn’t have a mother like you.” She mumbled but it was heard by both of them present there.

“Grace, mind your words,” Mason spoke for the first time that day and condemned Grace for how she talked to Millie.

“Why should I? I don’t think I have said anything wrong. This is my final decision, whether you like it or not. Tina will marry Adrain before this month ends. Also, stop interfering in my daughter’s life. I know what is best for her,” Grace looked at Millie and stated in a loud voice.

“I will interfere. As much as she is your daughter likewise she is my granddaughter too. Don’t you dare raise your voice in front of me? Just because you decided, it doesn’t mean that I will let this marriage happen.” Millie declared.

“Whatever! Once Tina comes back, I will talk with her. I am confident that she would agree with my decision.” Grace announced and stood up from the couch. 

She turned towards Mason and muttered,

“I know Tina didn’t attend the conference today and neither did you. I have arranged a conference meeting tomorrow morning and I will attend it. Make sure, you ask Tina to come back tomorrow from wherever you sent her. There is no use trying to hide my daughter from me. If she knows that you are all plotting against me, then think how much she will hate you all. I hope you will at least understand that and stop going against me by joining with my mom.”

She didn’t take another glance at Millie and walked away. Millie was left speechless. 

“She… she… she… ” Millie held her neck and sat on the couch.

“Mom, it’s ok. Relax. I don’t know why, but now I am thinking that it’s all for the better, Tina is not here. I will never let Grace win this. This is my daughter’s life too. How could I let this happen to her?” Mason said and went to the kitchen to get some water for Millie.

He handed the glass to her along with some medications he brought. Millie gripped the glass in her hands but didn’t drink the water. Neither did she take the medication, he gave her. She was sure that her BP must have reached a new level after speaking with Grace.

“Mom, please… Do not get tensed and take your medicines. We have a lot of work to do now. I can’t add one more to my list now. Your health is a high priority. My friend messaged me that he found the head nurse who was present in that delivery room on the day the twins were born. He is right now going to her home. We will know in a few minutes if Dina is alive or not,” Mason informed her.

Millie immediately swallowed the medicine and drank some water. Hearing her granddaughter's name, made her control the overflowing emotions. Her eyes brightened and finally, she was able to breathe normally.

“That’s good. I hope we will get to hear some good news at last,” Millie said.

They didn’t have to wait long when Mason’s phone started to ring. 

“Robert, did you find out anything?” Mason asked hurriedly.

“Yes, it’s true that the baby is still alive but the head nurse Mariah didn’t know where they are right now. But I got the names of the people who took her from the hospital. They are Kara and Emma. It’s easy to track them as I have all the necessary resources. Give me a couple of hours, I will find out everything and inform you soon. Wait for the good news," Robert said.

"Thank you, Thank you…” Mason’s eyes teared and he felt eased.

"No need to thank me. What are friends for? Let me know if you want to file a complaint against them. Even though it had happened so many years ago, still I can find a loophole to charge them if required." Robert announced.