Chapter 13 You Brought It on Yourself
Two years ago, Tracy was basically the family outcast. Her parents didn’t want her around, her brothers had nothing but resentment for her, and even Norris-the guy she’d grown up promised to-treated her like she was garbage. She’d felt like trash left in a ditch, like everyone just wanted her gone.
So she clung to the tiniest signs that maybe someone still cared.
Then one day, Norris called her. He told her there was something he needed to say to her alone.
He sounded kind on the phone, like how he used to be before Erin showed up and flipped her world upside down. That one phone call gave her a sliver of hope-maybe things weren’t totally broken.
So, she ditched the bodyguards Franklin had arranged and snuck off to meet him at some sketchy, half- built building with no cameras around.
But when she got there … it wasn’t Norris. It was the Jackmans. They had ropes and rags, saying weird things like, “This is for your own good.”
They stripped her of everything, tied her up, and sent her straight into a nightmare.
For so long, she asked herself, Why? Why would Norris do that? Why lie to me?
Erin is already with him. The families are all in favor. And Norris looked me in the eye and promised he’d never lie.
Even after everything, she still held onto a scrap of belief.
Maybe he didn’t know what happened. Maybe he tried to find her. Maybe he missed her.
She told herself that when they met again, she’d ask him straight up if he had turned on her or not.
That thought kept her sane during the hellish years at the etiquette school. She’d imagined a hundred ways that conversation could <ol><li></li></ol>
But not once did she expect his answer to be, “I figured two years would snap you out of it. But I see you’re still just as obsessed as ever.
“You’re pathetic, Tracy.”
Her face went pale, and her knees nearly gave out.
“So
”
.., you knew? You knew exactly what was going to happen to me, and you still sent me there?”
Her voice cracked, full of pain and fury. “Do you even have a clue what I’ve been through these past two years?!”
For a moment, her words hit him.
He looked away, like he felt a little guilty.
But then Erin squeezed his hand.
Right. I’ve done nothing wrong.
taken away, who knows what worse things she would’ve done?
Norris’s face hardened. “Whatever you went through, you brought it on yourself.”
You brought it on yourself.
Even though she had told herself not to expect anything, those words hit harder than she imagined.
What did I ever do to deserve that?
The pain and grief that had been eating away at her suddenly stopped. Everything went numb.
Wasn’t it enough? Haven’t I suffered enough?
What am I even hoping for anymore?
Norris looked at her again. For a second, something shifted. Maybe he saw a glimpse of the old Tracy-the girl she used to be before her 18th birthday. And he hesitated.
But Erin was watching, quietly, like she wasn’t part of the mess.
The second she noticed his expression change, panic rose in her eyes.
“Norris … ”
She gently pulled his hand again, her voice soft but full of emotion. “Please don’t me Tracy. She’s just having a hard time with everything. I know she’lle around.”
Her voice trembled, her eyes watery. “You’re always so sweet, Erin,” Norris said, rxing a little.
Erin smiled shyly and looked away, clearly loving the attention.
Then, as if she just remembered something, she turned to the store staff, took a bunch of clothes, and walked over to Tracy.
“Tracy, you’ve been gone so long. We all missed you. Now that you’re back, our family’splete.
“These are all my favorite outfits-I want you to have them. And can you please let me be with Norris?”
“I know you like him too, but he’s in love with me, I can’t let him go. So… will you be happy for us?
“When we get married, will you be my maid of honor? Only with your blessing can we be truly happy.”
She sounded so sweet and sincere. But every word stabbed into Tracy’s heart.
Everyone in Cloudville had known how head-over-heels she’d been for Norris.
Even when no one else believed in her, she chased after him like he was herst hope.
Erin had no idea how hurtful what she said was.
Two years ago, Tracy would’ve gone off. She would’ve shoved Erin and yelled at her.
still that same impulsive, wild girl.
But they were wrong.
Tracy wasn’t that person anymore. Now, those cruel little lines from Erin didn’t even make her flinch.
All her fire and stubborn love were gone. The moment Norris told her she deserved what she went through, something in her shut down for good.
She looked Erin right in the eyes and, with total calm, said, “Of course. I hope you and Mr. Gill live a long, sweet life together. May you grow old side by side, have kids and grandkids, and never be apart. May your bondst forever.
“Happy now?”
The whole room went silent. Norris and Daphne froze, their hands still midair, unsure what just happened.
Even Erin was caught off guard, her fingers tightening around the clothes.
What’s going on with Tracy?
Erin quickly smiled again, trying to y it off like everything was fine. “I’m d you understand.”
She held out the clothes. “Come on. Try them on! If one fits, maybe you could wear it to the wedding.”
Back then, Tracy hated being touched by Erin. Now, after everything she’d endured, she hated being touched by anyone.
It reminded her of the etiquette school. All those fake smiles and gross, sneaky hands in the dark.
She started to step back, but Erin grabbed her arm.
And just like that, Erin’s expression changed. “Tracy, what are you doing?! Ah!”
Still holding Tracy’s wrist, Erin pulled it toward her shoulder.
With the clothes covering their arms, it looked like Tracy had pushed her.
In that instant, Tracy was dragged back to that day two years ago. It was the same exact move.
Erin had done the same thing. She had grabbed her hand and pretended to fall, making it look like Tracy pushed her down the stairs.
That memory hit hard, and her chest tightened.
No.
I can’t go through that again.
I refuse to be sent back there. Never again!