Caleb stared at her for a long moment, his voice low when he finally spoke. "So, what are you going to do?"
"What do you think I'm going to do?" Tracy said, her tone sharp. "I'm going to fight. I'm not going to let her steal my life."
Caleb shook his head, his expression a mixture of frustration and disappointment. "You don't get it, do you? She's not stealing anything. This is who she is."
Tracy's eyes flashed with anger. "And what about me? What am I supposed to do, Caleb? Just disappear?"
"No one's asking you to disappear," Caleb said quietly. "But maybe it's time you stopped blaming everyone else for something that wasn't their fault."
Tracy stood abruptly, grabbing her bag. "You're just like the rest of them," she said, her voice shaking. "I should've known better than to expect you to understand."
Before Caleb could respond, she stormed out, leaving him sitting alone at the table. He glanced over at Jacob and Rosetta again, his thoughts churning.
Back at his family's mansion, Caleb Harrison paced his room, his father's earlier words ringing in his ears. "An engagement with Tracy is not optional, Caleb. It's happening."
But now, with everything Tracy had told him, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being played—by his father, by Tracy, by everyone who thought they could control his life.
He slumped onto his bed, running a hand through his hair. Rosetta's face flashed in his mind, her quiet strength, her unassuming presence. She didn't belong to their world, but maybe that's what made her different.
"Dammit," he muttered, leaning back and staring at the ceiling.
Later in the night, Rosetta deliberately missed her shift at the hotel just to talk to Grandpa Thomas. Rosetta sat in the living room with Grandpa Thomas, the familiar coziness of their small home easing some of the weight in her chest.
"Grandpa," she said quietly, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.
Thomas looked up from his newspaper, setting it aside. "What is it, Rosie?"
She hesitated, then blurted, "What if I can't do this? What if I can't be the person they expect me to be?"
Thomas leaned forward, his expression softening. "Rosie, no one's asking you to be anything other than yourself. That's enough."
"But it doesn't feel like enough," she said, her voice trembling.
" Will Grant look at me like I'm supposed to fix everything, and will Tracy look at me like I've ruined everything? I don't even know where I fit."
Thomas reached over, taking her hands in his. "You fit right here, with me. No matter what happens, this is your home. And you're my granddaughter, always."
Her chin quivered as tears filled her eyes. "I'm scared, Grandpa."
"I know," he said softly. "But you're stronger than you think. You've faced tougher things than this, Rosie. And you'll get through this too."
She nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. "What if I mess it all up?"
Thomas smiled gently. "Then you'll pick yourself up and try again. Just like you always have."
Rosetta let out a shaky laugh, leaning into her grandfather's embrace. For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of hope, small, but steady.
Dango went home feeling great with himself, he just had a great time with Tracy, the daughter of Raymond Grant the Billionaire. He whistled endlessly with joy, as he stormed into the house that morning, the whole house was in a mess. Every where was totally untidy.
Dirty dishes were piled in the sink, clothes were scattered across the floor, and a strange smell lingered in the air. But Dango didn't care. He was too wrapped up in his own thoughts, still reliving the night.
"Mum!" he called out. What's for breakfast?" he called out, dropping his keys onto the cluttered coffee table.
Mum he called out again, louder this time '' I'm hungry, did you cook any breakfast?
''Breakfast? Do I look like your ex-wife? Get a maid to do that, I carried you for nine months, fed you, raised you and now you are an adult, you expect me to cook and feed you?, when will it be your turn to take care of me?'' she glared at Dango
''Mum not again, it's too early to do this please, all I asked for was just a simple breakfast
'' Just? If it's that simple, make it yourself, Victoria was about to storm out of the sitting
"Mum!
Victoria, stopped at the doorway, her face lined with irritation. She wore an old, faded dress, and her hair was tied back messily. "Do I look like your ex-wife Rosetta? I am asking you again" she snapped, her hands on her hips. '' I'm sure even that trash picker of an ex-wife of yours wouldn't look as haggard as I look right now.''
Dango frowned, confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Victoria pointed toward the mess in the living room. "Do you think I'm here to clean up after you? Cook for you? Do I look like I'm crafted for that? since that looser left you, I have developed a hunched back. I am always bent with work and chores, running around, cleaning this house while you do nothing?"
"Mum, relax," Dango said, holding up his hands. "You're in a bad mood. What happened?"
"What happened?" Victoria shot back, her voice rising. "Look around, Dango! The place is falling apart! Do you ever think about helping out? Or are you too busy gambling away whatever's left in your pockets? You can't even spare a dollar for me your mum to go on a shopping spree and you ask me what happened? Dango you happened tome and now I am miserable she yelled"
Dango sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Mum, don't start. I've had a good night, and I'm not in the mood for your nagging."
Victoria crossed her arms, glaring at him. "A good night, huh? Spent more money you don't have, I bet. On another trash picker or looser, which? tell me huh"
Dango smirked, leaning against the counter. "Actually, Mum, I spent the night with someone special. Tracy Grant. You know, the daughter of Raymond Grant, the billionaire."
Victoria's eyes widened, and she let out a bitter laugh. "The Raymond Grant? Are you serious?"
"Serious as having cancer," Dango said, grinning. "Tracy Grant. That's who I was with last night. Me and her, Mum. Can you believe that?"
Victoria shook her head, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "So, what's your plan now? Marry into money and let her daddy bail you out of your mess? Pathetic"
Dango shrugged. "Maybe. Why not? A guy like me deserves a break."
Victoria rolled her eyes. "You're delusional. A break from what ?Taking care of yourself? You can't even keep your own house clean, and you think you can handle a girl like Tracy Grant?"
Dango ignored her, moving to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. As he twisted the cap off, a fragment of conversation from the night before came rushing back to him.
Tracy's voice, slurred but sharp: "I'm not even his real daughter. That trash picker, Rosetta—that's who my dad really cares about now."
Dango froze, the bottle halfway to his lips.
"Mum," he said slowly, his voice quieter now.
"What?" Victoria snapped, still glaring at him.
"Did you hear what I said?" he asked, his thoughts racing. "She said her dad's real daughter is a trash picker. And her name is… Rosetta."
Victoria's brows furrowed, her irritation giving way to confusion. "Rosetta? That sounds familiar."
Dango's grip tightened on the bottle as his mind raced. "Rosetta… Could it be… my Rosetta? My ex-wife?"
Victoria's eyes widened. "You think she's talking about your Rosetta? The one you divorced?"
"I don't know," Dango murmured, pacing now. "But it makes sense. Tracy said her dad, Grant just found out his real daughter was switched at birth. And she's some poor girl, a trash picker named Rosetta."
Victoria snorted, crossing her arms. "So what if it is? You're not going to crawl back to her, are you?"
Dango laughed bitterly. "Crawl back? Mum, if my ex-wife is a Grant, that means she's worth more than I ever imagined. Forget Tracy, I might've hit the jackpot with Rosetta."
Victoria narrowed her eyes, her voice sharp. "You really think she'd take you back after everything you put her through? You threw her away like garbage, Dango. Don't forget that. Only $200 in her hand, you forced her to sign the divorce paper"
Dango ignored her, lost in his own thoughts, shamelessly remembering all he did to her. Rosetta, a Grant? That's a miracle. All that wealth will be hers? My company works for Raymond Grant too
If it was true, he wasn't about to let the opportunity slip through his fingers. He would go any length to get her back. Dango sat down deep in his thoughts when the sharp voice of Victoria cut through his thoughts
'' You better start cleaning the house then I can assist you in planning what to do if truly Rosetta is the real daughter but to be sure, do your investigations first.
The sun was dipping low, casting warm golden hues over the old, weathered house. Rosetta stood at the gate with Jacob, her heart pounding. She glanced at him nervously.
"This is where you grew up?" Jacob asked, his eyes scanning the small, timeworn home with its sagging porch and faded paint. He had been here several times to pick Rosetta for school but ones had she ever invited him in.
Rosetta nodded. "It's not much, but it's home."
Jacob smiled gently. "Rosie, it's not about the house. It's about the people in it."
She let out a small laugh, but her hands twisted nervously. "Just… don't take Grandpa too seriously, okay? He can be a little… intense."
"I think I can handle it, I would also be that way if I were in his shoes" Jacob said with a grin, though he adjusted his collar with a touch of unease.
The door creaked open, and Thomas stood in the doorway, his sharp eyes immediately taking in Jacob from head to toe.
"Rosie," he said, his voice warm, his eyes watchful. His gaze shifted to Jacob. "And this must be the boy you've been talking about."
"Yes, Grandpa," Rosetta said softly. "This is Jacob."
Jacob stepped forward, offering his hand. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
Thomas eyed him for a beat before shaking his hand firmly. "We'll see if the honor's mutual. Come in."
The living room was modest and a little cramped, with an old couch, a scarred wooden table, and a few faded family photos on the walls. Jacob hesitated for a moment, then sat when Thomas gestured to a chair.
Thomas lowered himself into his armchair, leaning forward slightly. "So, Jacob, what do you do? What's your background?"
"I'm a second-year business student at Haven University," Jacob began, his voice steady. "I also work part-time at my father's firm. He owns a chain of high-end restaurants."
Thomas raised an eyebrow. "A restaurant heir, huh? Sounds impressive."
Jacob smiled faintly. "It sounds more glamorous than it is. My dad's tough—he believes in earning everything you get."
Thomas nodded approvingly. "That's good. A man who knows how to work for his money."
"Grandpa," Rosetta interjected, her tone light but firm, "please don't scare him off before he's even finished answering your questions."
Thomas smirked. "I'm not scaring him. Just making sure he's worth my Rosie."
Jacob glanced at Rosetta, who rolled her eyes playfully, then turned back to Thomas. "I understand, sir. I'd want the same if I were in your position."
Thomas studied him closely for a moment, then leaned back. "All right, Jacob. You're saying the right things. But let me give you some context about the woman you're courting, so you know exactly what you're getting into."
"Grandpa..." Rosetta started, her cheeks red.
Thomas raised a hand, silencing her gently. "He deserves to know, Rosie."
Jacob's brow furrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"
Thomas clasped his hands together, his voice steady. "Rosetta was married before. To a man named Dango Adisa."