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Yvonne swallowed the words, but her expression said enough. Just days ago, on her own birthday, Grandma had refused to hand over the bracelet no matter how much she hinted.
Her eyes spun, and she quickly added, “But Grandma said this was meant for the future sister- in-law. How could it end up in your hands, Tracy?”
The implication was clear-Tracy must have stolen it.
Chase didn’t hesitate. He snatched the box from Tracy and barked, “Grandma treats you so well, and you repay her by stealing her favorite treasure?”
Jared’s face darkened. “Caught red-handed. What excuse do you have now, Tracy?”
Tracy’s gaze was icy. These two really are Yvonne’s dogs. Falling over themselves to back her up, like scraps of favor depended on who barked faster.
She had once tried to please them, only to be repaid with harsher scorn. Maybe the day Yvonne and her mother entered this house was the day her brothers’ hearts shifted permanently. They would believe Yvonne’s every word but wouldn’t even give their own sister a punctuation mark of trust.
Tracy snatched the box back. “I didn’t steal it. Grandma gave it to me for my birthday.”
Trevor looked at her with tired disappointment. “Don’t lie, Tracy. When you weren’t home the other day, your grandma said herself-heirlooms are for the grandsons’ wives. Now you claim she gave it to you? Do you really think we’ll believe that?”
Tracy pressed her lips together. Explaining was useless. None of them would ever believe her.
Chase sneered. “What’s the matter? Nothing to say now that you’re exposed? You lie as easily as breathing. Hand it back and apologize to Grandma.”
Jared rubbed his temples, sighing. “Why can’t you learn from Yvonne? If you had even half her sense, you wouldn’t be doing shameful things like stealing from your grandmother.”
Tracy’s laugh was sharp and bitter. “Learn what-her coy little act? Her filthy mouth? Or maybe her talent for sleeping with married men and breaking up homes?”
At those words, Yvonne visibly trembled. She hadn’t expected Tracy to strike so directly, right here, where she couldn’t defend herself.
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Chapter 26 Why Hit Me When It’s Tracy’s Fault
“Tracy!” Jared’s fury flared. He raised his hand again to strike her.
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Tracy caught his wrist mid-air and shoved it away. Her voice was cold as stone. “One slap was enough. That ended whatever bond we had as siblings. You’ve lost the right to raise a hand to me. You believe everything they say and nothing I say. I don’t need a brother like you.”
She shoved him hard. Jared stumbled back, nearly falling. Yvonne rushed forward to steady him, tears springing on cue.
“Tracy, how can you do this to Jared? He only hit you because he was desperate to stop you making mistakes. And you hold a grudge? Say things like that? Do you know how much that hurts him?”
Tracy sliced through Yvonne’s act without hesitation. “Stop pretending, Yvonne. Isn’t this what you wanted? To provoke me and feed your pathetic vanity? Congratulations—you did it. But this bracelet is mine. Grandma gave it to me and said none of her things would ever go to you. They’re all for me.”
She snapped open the box, pulled out the luminous emerald bracelet, and slid it onto her wrist. It fit perfectly.
Yvonne’s teeth clenched, though her voice stayed soft. “I don’t covet Grandma’s things. But you, flaunting it like that—it’s really not proper.”
Faye finally stepped in. “Tracy, if you like bracelets, I’ll buy you something even finer at an auction. This one truly is for your future sister-in-law. Put it back. We won’t tell Grandma. She’ll never know.”
Chase scowled. “No. Don’t indulge her. She’s spoiled rotten. She steals, she lies, and she dares throw things at Yvonne. Tracy, apologize now, or this won’t be over.”
you like it, you can’t.
Trevor added heavily, “Tracy, even if you like it, you can’t just take it. You know I taught you better than that. Give it back. Grandma loves you-she won’t hold it against you.”
Tracy hurled the box straight at Yvonne’s face. “You’ll pour any dirty water on me, won’t you? You wanted it, Grandma refused, so you’d rather accuse me of theft. I’m not you, Yvonne. I don’t lust after everything I see. What I want, I’ll earn myself.”
The box struck Yvonne hard. Her eyes brimmed red, voice trembling as she played her part. “Tracy, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t accuse you. Everyone was there when Grandma said it. I wasn’t lying.”
Seeing Yvonne hurt, Chase surged forward, hand raised. “You’re hopeless, Tracy. You’ll never change.”
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Chapter 26 Why Hit Me When It’s Tracy’s Fault
“Enough!”
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The voice cracked like thunder from upstairs. Madam Sarah descended with her cane, her expression like steel. “I gave that bracelet to Tracy. If you have an issue, you bring it to me. Taking it out on her-what do you mean by that?”
The slap of her words burned hotter than any blow.
Trevor’s face tightened. “Mom, don’t shield her by lying. You’ll only hurt her more.”
The cane lashed out-once, twice, again—striking Jared across the arms and shoulders until he staggered back, stunned.
He gaped at her. “Grandma, you’re too biased! It was Tracy’s fault. Why hit me?”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
