Chapter 15 Why Is Tracy Back at the Jackmans’ ce?


    When Tracy was barely hanging on at the Angelic Etiquette Academy, she didn’t cry because she knew crying didn’t help.


    When the Jackmans constantly judged her and made her feel small, she still didn’t cry because nobody


    cared, even if she did.


    But now, surrounded by random strangers who actually seemed to care, she suddenly felt all the pain hit


    her at once.


    Her eyes watered, her voice shook, but all she managed to say was, “Thank you so much… I’m really okay, I promise.”


    And honestly, she meant it.


    She was okay. And from now on, she’d only go up from here.


    She gently turned down the kind offers from the older folks. Before she left, she quietly dropped all her cash into a cloth bag behind the stall. Then she walked off, carrying the two items she’d picked out and the popsicle that one kinddy had handed her.


    The cold treat numbed the sting on her face and helped keep her tears in check.


    Maybe I’m not as unlucky as I thought. Not everyone I meet is heartless.


    But now I’m literally broke. I have to find work. Then, once I’m ready, I’ll get away from the Jackmans for good.


    At the hospital.


    Erin was all smiles as she sat up in the hospital bed, her ankle wrapped neatly in a fresh white bandage.


    Daphne sat on one side of the bed, slowly feeding Erin pieces of banana.


    On the other side, Norris held a ss of water, watching Erin with soft, caring eyes.


    In that calm, cozy hospital room, it was like Tracy had beenpletely erased from their minds.


    “Erin… hey, Erin?”


    Even before the door opened, Andrew’s voice could be heard rushing down the hallway.


    The second he heard Erin was in the hospital, he dropped everything. He left an important meeting and ran red lights to get there.


    When he finally saw her safe and okay, he rxed a little. “What happened? Why are you here all of a sudden?”


    Erin reached for his hand and gave him a sweet smile. “It’s just a sprain, Andrew. Don’t stress. And please don’t me my sister. I don’t think she meant it.”


    Andrew frowned, clearly annoyed. “Tracy Jackman again? What did she do this time?”


    Daphne’s warm smile disappeared fast. Her voice was sharp. “She shoved Erin right in front of everyone. She pushed so hard! If Norris and I hadn’t grabbed her in time, she could’ve been badly hurt.”


    Just thinking about it made Daphne’s blood boil.


    If Tracy acts like that in public, who knows what she’s done behind closed doors?


    Erin didn’t deny it. Instead, she gently tried to calm Daphne down. “Please, don’t be mad at her. I really don’t think she meant any harm. And don’t let this ruin the bond you’ve built with her.”


    Her voice dropped, like she felt bad. “She probably still holds a grudge from when you announced her removal from the family in front of the press a few years ago. But we’re still sisters. Maybe one day, she’ll be okay with me.”


    Those words seemed to hit a nerve.


    “She has no reason to be mad at me!” Daphne snapped. Her tone turned ice cold. “She should be thinking about what she did!”


    She shot a look at Andrew. “Stop calling her ‘Tracy Jackman.’ She’s not part of this family anymore.”


    Andrew stayed quiet, adjusting his sses. He knew Daphne was just saying that out of anger.


    Daphne had always favored Tracy. Even when she supposedly pushed Erin down the stairs, Daphne only agreed to send her to the etiquette school and not disown her.


    So Andrew figured Daphne’s words were probably just heat-of-the-moment stuff and didn’t argue.


    Erin let out a soft sigh, as if she was carrying the weight of the world. She looked at Norris, her eyes pleading.


    “Norris, could you talk to Mom? Please don’t let her kick Tracy out because of me. I’ve gotten used to being treated badly … I don’t care about that. But if she gets thrown out because of me, I’ll feel awful.”


    Norris hadn’t said much until now, but when he looked at Erin, there was real kindness in his expression. “You’re too nice, Erin. That’s why people take advantage of you.”


    He reached over and gave her a gentle pat on the head. “Don’t worry. Daphne’s just mad right now. She won’t actually kick Tracy out. So don’t me yourself.”


    Daphne gave a little huff but didn’t argue with him.


    Erin finally looked rxed. She leaned against Daphne, resting her head on her shoulder with a soft smile. “I’m d to hear that.”


    No one noticed the quick, dark look that shed through her eyes.


    Two years…


    Why haven’t they gotten rid of Tracy by now?


    Why bring her back into the family and let her live under the same roof again?


    Just then, Norris asked the exact thing Erin had been thinking. “So … why is Tracy back at the Jackmans’


    ce?”


    He looked at Andrew with a confused frown.


    They had all agreed that if Tracy didn’t change after two years at the etiquette school, she’d stay there.


    And judging by what just happened, she clearly hadn’t changed. So why bring her home?


    Andrew let out a breath. “Grandpa asked us to.”


    Norris went quiet. Of course. Franklin has always loved Tracy more than anyone. He’d been trying to bring her back ever since she left. He even asked me for help once.


    If Erin hadn’t suddenly appeared, maybe I would’ve told Franklin everything.


    He remembered something Tracy had yelled at the mall.


    “Do you even have a clue what I’ve been through these past two years?!”


    And maybe that was true. The Angelic Etiquette Academy didn’t let the girls contact anyone on the outside. He didn’t know what she went through.


    Still, he couldn’t get that image out of his head-when she fell, and he saw her leg.


    There were scars. Real ones. Or… did I just imagine them?


    A strange feeling settled in his chest.


    He nced at Erin, still glowing with happiness, then turned to Andrew. “Let’s not bother Erin anymore. I’ve got something I want to ask you. Let’s talk outside.”