Chapter 21 Pretending


    Tracy looked up at Liam, puzzled.


    I haven’t been anywhere near the Jackmans in over two weeks-what exactly do you think I’m trying to pull?


    Liam looked like he had it all figured out. “You’ve been avoiding us, and you even blocked my number. What, did you really think I wouldn’t notice? Let me guess, you were just waiting for me toe find you first, huh? Only you woulde up with something that immature.”


    Tracy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She didn’t even have the energy to argue. “Mr. Liam, you can think whatever you want. If that’s all, I’d like to go back to my room now.”


    “Don’t move!”


    He grabbed her arm and yanked her so hard that she nearly stumbled.


    Tracy was already worn out, and that just pushed her over the edge. Her eyes turned cold. “Say what you came to say. You don’t need to pull me around like that. Are you upset my hand healed too quicklyst time?”


    It had been a little over two weeks since everything happened. Her hand didn’t hurt anymore, but the scars were still there.


    Liam’s eyes dropped to her hand without thinking. For a second, he pictured the blood running down her fingers. A jolt of difort shot through him.


    He frowned. “That’s what this is about? That little thing? It’s not like I did it on purpose. If you hadn’t messed with Erin, none of that would’ve happened. Can you stop being so dramatic?”


    That “little thing” had nearly sent Tracy crashing into broken ss, leaving her hand covered in cuts. For days, she couldn’t even hold a bowl without pain.


    Most strangers wouldn’t have treated her that heartlessly. But she and Liam had lived together for 18 years.


    Even though Tracy had stopped hoping for kindness from the Jackmans, it still stung.


    She looked him straight in the eyes. “So tell me-what exactly did I do wrong this time?”


    If he could just say it, I’d fix it. I just want to be left alone.


    Liam didn’t miss a beat. “You blocked me, which forced me toe looking for you. Is this payback for when I blocked you before?”


    Tracyughed, sharp and dry. “Seriously? When you shipped me off to Angelic Etiquette Academy, you didn’t even let me bring a hair tie. Where was I supposed to get a phone?”


    “That number you’re freaking out over? It got shut off a long time ago.”


    Liam froze. He hadn’t thought of that.


    He hesitated. “Then … why didn’t you give me your new number when you got back?”


    “I don’t have a phone. I never got a new number. And I sure didn’t want you looking for me.” Tracy’s voice was steady. “Now that that’s cleared up, do you need anything else, Mr. Liam?”


    Maybe realizing he’d messed up, Liam’s tone dropped a little. But he still didn’t apologize.


    “There is something else. There’s a party this Thursday at noon at the Sometime Hotel. Don’t forget.”


    The way he said it made one thing clear-he didn’t care what she wanted.


    Back when Tracy was still treated like someone special in the Jackmans, she had loved going to events and parties with friends.


    But once Erin entered the picture, those so-called friends ditched her and ran straight to Erin. They even gossiped behind Tracy’s back, calling her a wannabe who didn’t belong.


    After that, parties became something she dreaded, especially ones tied to the Jackmans.


    “I already have ns. I’m not going,” she said without even thinking twice.


    But Liam wasn’t about to let that slide. He stepped in her way, staring her down. “No. You’re going.”


    Tracy blinked. “You don’t even like seeing me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll ruin the atmosphere?”


    Liam almost said the truth, that the party was for her. But Erin had told him to keep it a surprise, so he bit his tongue.


    “It’s a family event. You’re part of this family, so you’re expected to be there.”


    If this had been the old Tracy, her face would’ve lit up at those words. Being called a part of the family would’ve meant everything to her, and she would’ve waited excitedly for the big day.


    But now, she just stood there, calm and steady.


    They once told me I didn’t know my ce. They forced me to change my name, and now they’re saying we’re a family? What a joke.


    She was about to say no again when something crossed her mind. “Is Grandpa going?”


    “Of course!” Liam answered too quickly, his voice louder than it needed to be.


    Franklin had never epted Erin, and if she had anything to do with the party, he definitely wouldn’t show. So, she hadn’t even invited him.


    But Liam’s goal was to make sure Tracy showed up-he couldn’t let Erin down.


    So, to him, lying didn’t seem like a big deal.


    As soon as Tracy heard Franklin would be there, she didn’t argue anymore.


    She had already spoken to the doctor. Franklin’s health had been getting worse over the past two years from all the stress and sadness. That was why she’d spent thest few weeks pretending she was still happy with the Jackmans and that they still cared about her.