When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 109

“Daddy!”

As soon as Carrie spotted Brody, her whole mood shifted. It was like just seeing him made her braver, and all the hurt she’d bottled up came spilling out.

Brody scooped her up and looked at Sheila. “What happened?”

Sheila hesitated, glancing off to the side before whispering, “She’s here too.”

Brody followed her gaze and saw Nelly. For a second, his eyes flashed with surprise, but his voice stayed steady. “Why is she here?” He knew Nelly wouldn’t just show up unless it was about Carrie, but she didn’t look like she was here to see her daughter. And it’s kind of weird she hadn’t started something with Sheila, considering her personality.

Sheila shook her head. “I’m not sure. It’s a parent-child event today, and she’s got another little girl with her, about Carrie’s age.”

Brody set Carrie down and looked over, trying to see clearly. There was definitely a little girl by Nelly’s side, though they were too far away for him to make out much.

Sheila lowered her voice. “Do you know who that kid is? Has Nelly ever mentioned her?” Her words were loaded with suspicion. Out of nowhere, a kid appears, and after Nelly filed for divorce, she’d started ignoring Carrie completely.

Brody’s face tightened, but he didn’t answer. He knew Nelly had always been loyal in their marriage. That much he never doubted. Was she really just here to make things hard for Carrie?

Carrie tugged on his sleeve, pouting. “Why is she bringing some other kid to a parent-child day? Daddy, you need to talk to her!”

Sheila blinked, then rushed to say, “Nelly and that girl are competing too. So many people are around, and if you go over now, it might just turn into a scene.”

Brody knew what she was hinting at. He kept quiet and didn’t move toward Nelly.

He gave Carrie a teasing smile, gently pinching her cheek. “You’re not with your mom either, so why can’t she be with another kid?”

He really wanted to see what Nelly was up to. There’s no way she’d just show up with a random child for no reason.

“That’s not the same!” Carrie shot back.

“How’s it different? You like Ms. Olson because you think she’s amazing. Maybe Nelly thinks that little girl is sweet,” he said, half-joking.

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