Chapter 12 You’ve pped Me Twice Now


    Smack!


    The sound of the p rang through the whole store.


    Daphne hadn’t held back-her hand actually stung from how hard she hit. But she didn’t care. Her palm could hurt all it wanted; she was livid. “I really thought you’d matured,” she said sharply, her eyes fixed on Tracy. “But no-you’re still the same stubborn, selfish girl.


    “Erin’s always treated you well. She’s always looked out for you, even put you first! And still, you pick on her at home and pull the same stunts in public? Did I raise you like this?!


    “You’ve let me down, Tracy. Completely.”


    Tracy’s ears were buzzing. For a second, she felt like she was back at the Angelic Etiquette Academy, where people hit her just because they could.


    It took her a moment to snap out of it. Once she did, she caught Daphne’sst words.


    I’ve let her down?


    What a joke.


    Since the day Erin walked into our lives, has anyone not been disappointed in me?


    Tracy turned her head slowly, her voice steady and low. “Mrs. Jackman, you’ve pped me twice now.”


    The first time had been over that lie about her “pushing Erin down the stairs.”


    Her cheek was already starting to swell, hot and sore. But her eyes-they looked empty, like there was nothing left in them. That nk expression made Daphne freeze for a second.


    Did I really do that?


    Her fingers twitched.


    Tracy used to be the girl I protected from every scrape, every little bump. I’ve never even scolded her harshly before.


    But…


    But Tracy has gone too far this time.


    Erin has only ever been sweet to her. She treats Tracy like a real sister. And yet Tracy is always causing problems, always picking fights, trying to steal what isn’t hers.


    I wouldn’t have hit her unless she gave me a reason.


    Holding onto that thought, Daphne repeated with more confidence, “You pushed it too far. You hurt Erin again and again. I had no other choice.”


    That excuse again.


    Tracy looked over at Erin, standing there like she waspletely innocent, as if she had nothing to do with all this.


    So Tracy asked what she’d been wanting to say for a long time. “Mrs. Jackman, can you actually tell me what I did to Ms. Jackman that counts as bullying?”


    “You’re still trying to y the victim!” Daphne snapped.


    “Sure, you were close with Norris when you were kids-but now he’s with Erin. They’re the ones meant to be together!


    “Erin’s always treated you with kindness. And you? You throw shade in public, act like a victim, and make everything awkward. What else is that, if not bullying?”


    As Daphne said all this, Erin looked even more heartbroken. Her lips trembled, like she was barely holding it together. She gently tugged on Daphne’s sleeve.


    “Mom… don’t be mad at Tracy. She and Norris go way back. It’s totally normal for her to still have feelings.


    “If I hadn’t shown up, maybe they’d still be together.”


    Daphne hugged her tightly. “Don’t say that, sweetheart. This isn’t your fault at all. Norris was promised to you, and you love each other. You two belong together.”


    Erin looked unsure for a moment, like she was trying to make up her mind. Then she seemed to decide on something.


    “Tracy, I used to think I didn’t have a family. And when I finally found one, when I was finally epted and loved, that meant the world to me. I’m not going to fight you over Norris.


    “I’ll step back. I won’t marry him.”


    She said it like she was giving up something huge, her voice cracking like she was barely keeping it together. Tears welled up again, falling right on cue like she was making some big, noble sacrifice.


    Tracy’s head started to pound.


    She couldn’t tell if it was from Daphne’s p or from the way Erin kept twisting everything she said and making it into something it wasn’t.


    While Erin sobbed, a firm and calm voice cut through the noise. “If Erin doesn’t marry me, then who will she marry?”


    Everyone turned to the door. A tall guy in a white shirt stood there. His features were sharp and clean. He had a calm expression, but his voice was serious.


    He walked straight toward Erin, face softening. “Just yesterday, you told me I was your favorite person. And now you’re saying you won’t marry me?”


    Erin’s cheeks turned pink the second she saw him. She looked up at him shyly. “Norris …”


    Tracy’s heart dropped.


    For two years, she’d pictured this moment-what she’d say, how she’d act.


    Maybe she’d run into his arms, crying about everything she’d gone through at the institution.


    Or maybe she’d scream at him, telling him how upset she was with him.


    She’d wanted to p him and demand to know why he had lied.


    Why did he say he’d always protect her and love only her, only to call her disgustingter on? Why did he suddenly im he only ever saw her as a sister and that her love made his skin crawl?


    Her mind was spinning, and somehow, Norris looked over at her, his eyebrows pulled together.


    She was thinner and more closed off now. Her face looked familiar, but it took him a second.


    Then he spoke. He sounded unsure but d. “Tracy?”


    He took a step toward her, almost automatically. But Erin quickly grabbed his hand.


    “Norris …”


    She looked like she was barely standing, tears still fresh in her eyes. She sounded like she was trying to be strong.


    “Tracy saw you buying me clothes and thought I was trying to show off. I wasn’t, I swear.


    “I didn’t know she still had feelings for you…


    “I don’t want to lose you either. But if giving you up will help her ept me as family… then I’ll do it.”


    She finished in a shaky voice, her whole body screaming how painful that idea was.


    Norris pulled back. “Don’t be silly,” he said gently. “Feelings aren’t something you can just give up. And you’re the one I was supposed to marry from the beginning.”


    Erin blushed, lowering her head a little. But she still looked unsure. “But what about Tracy?”


    Something in Norris changed. He seemed to remember the jealous girl who’d always clung to him, who never stopped causing trouble for Erin. His expression hardened.


    He looked back at Tracy. Any warmth from earlier disappeared. His eyes were sharp and cold.


    That look… Tracy had seen it before, but it broke her heart all the same.


    But there was a time when he’d looked at her with nothing but love.


    Until Erin came along.


    Now, that look of love was reserved for Erin alone.


    His tone was ice. “Why did youe back?”


    Not “How have you been,” or “wee back.” It was like she didn’t belong anymore.


    It hit harder than she expected. Even though she’d warned herself not to hope, even though she knew the truth, she still couldn’t help but hold out hope.


    “I only came to ask one thing, Mr. Gill. Two years ago, you said you had something really important to tell me. What was it?”