Chapter 16 Can You Please Forgive Me?


    Andrew didn’t catch the shift in Norris’s face. He figured Norris just had something serious to say.


    But right after they stepped out into the hallway, Norris asked, “Did Tracy ever talk to you about what really happened at that etiquette school?”


    Andrew stopped in his tracks, a bit thrown off. The light caught the gold rims of his sses. “Why the sudden interest in her?”


    Norris hadn’t mentioned Tracy once in the past couple of years. Now, after one run-in, he suddenly wanted answers? That immediately raised red gs for Andrew.


    He adjusted his sses and said with a sharp edge, “If you’re even thinking about screwing over Erin, don’t expect me to remember we were ever close.”


    Norris was clearly caught off guard. “Wait, what? Come on, man. Tracy and I are ancient history. I was just a clueless teenager who didn’t know the difference between liking someone and actually loving them.”


    He added quickly, “Erin’s the only girl I’ve ever truly cared about.”


    Andrew hesitated.


    That exact sentence-it rang a bell. He’d heard it before, back then, in the same serious tone. The only thing that changed was the name.


    That thought left a bad taste in Andrew’s mouth. He narrowed his eyes. “You’d better be serious this time.”


    As he turned to go, he tossed onest warning over his shoulder. “Erin’s too nice. She’s the heart of this family. If you hurt her, you’ll regret it.”


    Norris nodded without missing a beat. “I won’t hurt her.”


    But as soon as he said it, he paused.


    The whole thing felt too familiar. Déjà vu. The same situation, different year. Except back then, Andrew had said the same thing, but about Tracy.


    But that was the past. Back when Norris didn’t really understand what love meant.


    He thought he liked Tracy, but looking back, it felt more like brotherly care than anything real. Erin was different. She was sweet and soft, someone he could look after. That was the kind of love he needed.


    Norris’s eyebrows pulled together.


    Tracy brought all this on herself. She’s sneaky, dramatic, and always causing trouble. Whatever she went through at that ce, it couldn’t be worse than what Erin had suffered for 18 years on her own.


    Whatever guilt had crept up inside him, he pushed it down hard. Then he turned his full attention back to Erin and took her home.


    Liam had juste back after a long day when he found out what had happened. He jumped up in a rage.


    on her side?”


    His fists clenched. “Where is she? I don’t care what anyone says. I’m putting a stop to this!”


    But right then, the front door opened, and there was Tracy, standing in the doorway, hand on the knob. She had heard it all. Her fingers froze in ce.


    Of course.


    Why would this time be any different?


    Two years ago, it was the same thing. No one listened, and no one cared what I had to say. They pushed me away, then locked me up in that so-called institute.


    I have no intention of going through that hell again.


    Taking a steady breath, Tracy stepped into the room.


    Liam’s anger red the second he saw her. He rolled up his sleeves and charged toward her. “You’ve got guts showing up here! I swear, I’ll—”


    But she was quicker. She stepped aside, and he missed.


    If nothing else, the institute had taught her how to dodge and survive.


    Liam lost his bnce, stumbling awkwardly before spinning-back around, red-faced and fuming.


    Before he could go off again, Tracy turned toward Erin and said, calm and clear, “Ms. Jackman, I lost control earlier. I almost hurt you. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”


    Two


    years ago, she would’ve tried to exin. That had gotten her nowhere.


    She wasn’t interested in earning the Jackmans’ trust anymore. She didn’t care what they thought. As long as they left her alone, that was enough.


    And the “sweet and forgiving” Erin would definitely say yes.


    Even Erin was caught off guard by the sudden apology.


    Tracy said again, “Can you please forgive me?”


    Erin’s face twitched just slightly, but she quickly covered it up with a warm smile. “Of course, Tracy. I know you didn’t mean it. I’d never-”


    “I really didn’t,” Tracy interrupted tly. “If you’re not upset, that’s all I need to hear.”


    She didn’t give Erin room to finish her usual speech. Tracy knew Erin too well. Give her even one more line, and she’d turn it into a story that painted Tracy as some viin. Better to shut it down quick.


    Something felt off to everyone-the way Tracy owned up to it, the way she didn’t exin, the way she walked in like she had nothing to lose.


    For once, Tracy wasn’t proud or defensive. She was just … different.


    Even Erin could feel the shift. It rattled her.


    She turned her eyes to Liam, blinking fast, lips trembling like she was about to cry.


    Right on cue, Liam’s fury reignited like a fire doused in gasoline.