When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 131

Brody froze up.

His mind jumped back to that man he’d seen downstairs. The guy was ridiculously good-looking. He's got that reserved, distant vibe, but under it all, there was something fierce about him.

After that, Brody barely registered anything Alan said. He just sat there, gripping his phone so tight it felt like his bones might snap. Memories started rushing in.

Back when Nelly was still a student, she was always trailing after him. She’d say again and again how she just wanted to stay by his side. He never took it seriously.

Nobody sticks around forever. No feeling lasts. He’d always told himself that. But for a second, he’d almost believed she might be the exception.

“Brody, are you really going to marry me?”

“Sign the prenup and we’ll get married. But there’s no love between us, just obligations. Think carefully if you really want this title.”

“I’ve thought about it. As long as I’m with you, nothing else matters.”

Brody snapped out of it, a cold little sneer escaping him.

Nelly.

It’s only been days since we split, and you’re already moving on?

…

Nelly and Jonah didn’t make it to the mountain until the middle of the night. The darkness was thick as paint, making the stars seem even brighter. The wind was freezing, but Nelly didn’t care. She just stared up at those faraway stars, lost in thought.

“Is it as beautiful as you imagined?” Jonah asked, draping a blanket over her shoulders. He looked up at the sky, too.

“Not really,” Nelly admitted.

The things you picture in your head are always perfect. Sure, the mountain was stunning, and there were so many stars, all of them bright and romantic, but real life is never quite like your imagination.

“Some things only turn beautiful once they become memories,” Jonah said, as if he could read her mind.

They watched the stars for a while, both of them starting to feel tired. Jonah picked a spot, spread out a blanket, set up a little heater, and sat down with Nelly.

He handed her a bottle of water. “If you get sleepy, go nap in the car. Sunrise is still a ways off.”

“Okay.” Nelly felt safe with him there.

She looked at Jonah, her gaze suddenly steady and intense.

He gave her a shy smile. “What’s with the staring?”

“I was just thinking... you take such good care of me. What if I get used to it? What if I start to depend on you?”

Her words caught him off guard.

After a moment, he looked back at her. “Is it so bad, having someone to lean on?”

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