Chapter 14 What the Hell Has She Gone Through?


    Tracy reached out, trying to stop Erin, hoping to prevent things from spiraling like they had before.


    But Erin suddenly threw her arms up, sending the clothes flying.


    To Tracy, it all felt like slow motion.


    She saw Norris and Daphne rushing to catch Erin. She watched Erin lean backward without a second thought. She remembered the Jackmans again, emotionlessly tying her up, shoving cloth in her mouth, and dragging her off to the nightmare that was the Angelic Etiquette Academy …


    Tracy panicked and backed away, not realizing there was a rack right behind her.


    Crash!


    The rack mmed to the ground with a loud crash. Tracy tripped, tangled up in the mess. The sound of fabric tearing filled the air. She looked like aplete wreck.


    Erin had also taken a fall, but shended safely in the arms of Norris and Daphne. Not a hair out of ce.


    Still, she winced in pain. “Mom, Norris … my ankle … It really hurts.”


    Norris knelt down fast, holding her ankle gently. Her small shoe rested on perfect, unbruised skin. But the second he touched it, Erin let out a painful cry.


    Daphne gasped. “It looks bad! Norris, hurry up and get her to the hospital!”


    Norris didn’t waste a second. He nodded and lifted Erin into his arms.


    As he turned, his eyesnded on Tracy. She was sitting on the floor, pale and shaken, surrounded by the fallen rack. Her white dress was ripped at the thigh, showing a patch of skin.


    The second their eyes met, Tracy quickly tugged the skirt down and looked away.


    She hadn’t touched Erin.


    But she had said that before. Two years ago. Over and over.


    Nobody believed her then. They still sent her away.


    Norris looked like he might say something, but Erin clutched his shirt and whimpered, “Norris, it hurts so much…”


    Whatever thoughts he had disappeared. Heforted her gently, “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. We’re going to the hospital right now.”


    And just like that, he carried her out. Daphne followed, full of concern. Neither one of them looked back at Tracy.


    Strangely enough, Tracy felt a bit of relief.


    She was terrified they’d send her back to that ce.


    If it happened again, she wouldn’t survive it.


    After the three left, everyone in the store turned to stare at Tracy. But no one helped her up.


    They had all seen how Daphne and Norris treated her. The staff just followed their lead.


    The store manager walked over, annoyed. “Miss, do you realize how expensive these are? They’re custom pieces, one of a kind. Can you even pay for what you just ruined?”


    “I-I’m sorry.”


    Tracy got up quickly, trying to keep the torn fabric of her dress from showing too much skin.


    The rip was bad-from her hip all the way down. One hand couldn’t cover it.


    After hesitating, she took off her hoodie and tied it around her waist to hide the damage.


    The second her jacket came off, everyone’s faces changed from judging to shocked. The whole store gasped.


    Her dress showed her bare shoulders and back. What should’ve been smooth, soft skin was covered in scars-old and new-and burned spots.


    What the hell has she gone through?


    That thought crossed every mind in the room.


    But Tracy acted like she didn’t notice. She let her hair fall down to cover as much as she could.


    Those scars weren’t unusual at the Angelic Etiquette Academy-especially for the “chosen” ten who were treated like animals.


    Hers weren’t even the worst.


    While picking up the clothes and rack pieces, she said quietly, “I’m sorry. If anything’s ruined, I’ll pay for it. But… I don’t have much money. Could you give me a little time?”


    She never finished college. The Jackmans had sent her to that awful ce instead. She had no job, no money, nothing. These clothes were way out of her budget.


    The store manager, halfway through helping her put the rack back up, looked at her face and the bruises on her arms. He hesitated.


    He was just an employee. He did what the higher-ups told him. But none of them were here now.


    After checking over the clothes, he cleared his throat. “Nothing seems torn. You can leave. Just be more careful next time.”


    Tracy knew he was cutting her some ck.


    “Thank you.”


    She bowed slightly. Then, with all the store’s eves still on here curious


    “Everything must go! T-shirts for five bucks! Pants only ten! Grab them while you can!”


    Just a couple of blocks from the high-end mall, a crowd of older folks gathered around some street stalls, happily hunting for bargains.


    Tracy looked down at the dress she couldn’t wear anymore and stepped toward the vendors.


    She picked a loose T-shirt with longer sleeves and a pair of straight pants. The total came to 30 bucks.


    But she only had 31 dors left. She had already spent 6 dors getting from the Angelic Etiquette Academy to the Jackmans’ ce. That left 25.


    Tracy looked at the seller. “Sir… can you make it a bit cheaper? This is all I’ve got.”


    The vendor nced at her while chatting with others. Seeing the small pile of coins, he chuckled and held up a QR code. “Sorry, sweetheart, I don’t bargain. But if you have a phone, you can scan to pay.”


    Tracy fidgeted. “I-I don’t have one.”


    Some of the passersby turned to look. Their expressions weren’t mean, just curious, but Tracy still felt embarrassed.


    She had no college degree, no phone, no job, no money, no home, and not even proper clothes.


    She never thought her life could sink this low.


    Her hand clenched tightly around the coins.


    Maybe I’ll just buy the pants. I can cut the dress I’m wearing and use it as a top.


    Right as she was about to pull her hand back, a gentle voice spoke from beside her. “Sweetheart, did someone hurt you?”


    An older woman held her hand, eyes filled with concern. “Such a pretty girl … How could anyone hurt you like that?”


    She wasn’t even sure where to look first-Tracy’s bruised cheek or her arms.


    “If someone’s hurting you, speak up. Staying quiet only makes things worse.”


    “That’s right,” said another. “We’ve gotws now. If you need help, go to the authorities. We’ll help if we


    can.”


    “Everyone hits rough patches. You’ll get through this. These clothes don’t cost much-just take them. No need to pay.”


    “Here, use this popsicle on your face. Don’t let anything mess up that pretty face.”


    And right there-surrounded by strangers who expected nothing in return-Tracy suddenly felt tears threaten to fall.