Chapter 18 Let It Go


    Maybe it was the strange calm in Tracy’s eyes or the edge in her voice, but everyone just stood there,


    frozen.


    Blood kept dripping from her fingers,nding on the floor like bright red drops of paint.


    For a second, it felt like those drops stabbed right through Daphne and the others.


    Erin noticed the change in the air. Something shifted behind her soft expression.


    She quickly stepped in. “Tracy, Liam’s just worried about me. Please, don’t argue with him anymore.”


    She tugged gently at Liam’s hand. “Liam, she’s already hurt. For me, can we just believe it wasn’t on purpose?”


    Liam blinked and looked back at Tracy, clearly annoyed. “Erin, that’s exactly what she’s doing, ying off your kindness.”


    He red at Tracy. “She injures herself, waits for the perfect moment to show it, then acts like the victim to make us forget what she did. She’s a pro at twisting things.”


    Norris suddenly looked like he remembered something. His gaze dropped to Tracy’s leg.


    But she was wearing long jeans. Nothing to see.


    Tracy gave Liam a slow, sarcastic smile. “Mr. Liam, did you forget who taught you that trick?”


    Back when Liam was 17, he stole some of Daphne’s jewelry-three million dors’ worth-to fund upgrades for his car. Too scared to face the consequences, he asked Tracy what to do.


    She told him to fake an injury, act sorry, and say a few heartfelt things, and then Daphne would forgive him. Tracy knew it, and so did Liam.


    It worked. And after that, he kept doing it every time he messed up.


    Tracy warned him it would only hurt Daphne more and that one day, it wouldn’t work anymore. But he didn’t listen.


    Liam’s expression twitched as the memory hit. For a second, he looked almost guilty.


    But he covered it up quickly. “If you’re the one who made it up, then it makes sense that you’d be even better at using it.”


    At that point, Tracy was done. She didn’t care anymore. “Whatever you say, Mr. Liam,” she said in a t


    tone.


    “If that’s all, I’ll head back to my room. Don’t wanna cause more trouble.”


    She didn’t even nce back and just walked off toward the servants’ quarters, calm and straight-backed.


    Liam looked like he wanted to go after her, but Norris grabbed his arm. “Liam, let it go.”


    He watched her walk away-so steady, so alone-and felt something weird in his chest.


    “You said she would hurt herself on purpose and show the scarster. Did she really do that often?”


    Whether it was the question or his own guilt, Liam lost it. He yanked his arm free. “What, you think I’m lying like she always does? Don’t believe me, then. Whatever.


    “If she pulls that poor-me routine on you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”


    Norris stayed quiet, his face hardening.


    He remembered how, back at the mall, Tracy had asked him why he had lied to her two years ago. He felt that she was clearly trying to make him feel guilty.


    Then she casually talked about how rough things had been and just happened to show him the scar on her leg. It was obviously nned.


    He hadn’t expected it, but after two years apart, she seemed even more maniptive than before.


    As Erin saw how things were going, her eyes sparkled with a n.


    She stepped closer to Norris and gently held his hand. “Norris … Liam … don’t be mad at Tracy. I think she’s just not used to being back yet.”


    She sounded so caring-like the perfect little sister. Then she turned to Daphne with a bright idea. “Mom, how about we throw a wee-back party for Tracy?


    “She grew up here in Cloudville. Most of her old friends are still around. If she sees familiar faces, maybe she’ll feel more at home. It might help her adjust.”


    Liam frowned. “Erin, after everything she’s done to you, you still want to do something nice for her?”


    Erin gave a soft smile, full of warmth. “If she’s willing to ept me as her sister, then it’s worth it, even if I have to take a few hits.”


    Daphne smiled and gently patted Erin’s head. “If only Tracy were half as thoughtful as you.”


    Erin lowered her gaze, looking like the perfect daughter. But behind hershes, her eyes were ice cold.


    She looked up again, smiling sweetly. “Let’s keep the party a surprise, Mom. It’ll be more fun that way.”


    Daphne chuckled, clearly pleased. “Alright, whatever you say.”


    Meanwhile, Tracy sat alone in her room. Calmly, she picked shards of ss from her hand and wrapped them up like it was nothing. Her movements were steady, as if she’d done this way too many times before.


    She was sure of one thing-she didn’t want to stay with the Jackmans.


    But Franklin had told her to stay, and he meant it. She had no money and nowhere else to go. If she left now, she’d have nothing-not even a ce to sleep.


    If she wanted to get out and make it on her own, she had to start from scratch. The first thing she needed was a job.


    But the first 18 years of Tracy’s life were spent in luxury. Then, after Erin came back, she wasted all her energy trying to win back the Jackmans. And for thest two years, she’d been locked away at the Angelic Etiquette Academy.