When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 138

Guilt crashed over him in waves, leaving him at a total loss for words. He couldn’t even bring himself to try comforting Nelly. He knew he had no right. The tension between them was thick enough to choke on, so the police officer quickly stepped in, updating Nelly on everything.

The kidnapper had taken Carrie because of her, but the first ransom drop happened so fast that Nelly hadn’t even been contacted. Sheila had gone instead. The kidnapper was clever though.

Sheila arrived alone at the pickup spot, but she changed locations over and over, like she was following secret instructions. Then she took off her police comms and the tracker she was wearing. Now Sheila was gone too, completely off the grid. The kidnapper still hadn’t called back. At this point, if they didn’t come up with a plan, it wasn’t just Carrie in danger. Sheila’s life was on the line.

“So, you’re only asking for my help now because something happened to Sheila?” Nelly’s voice was ice when she said Sheila’s name, and her glare at Brody was sharp enough to cut. When the kidnapper asked for her, they didn’t even bother telling her. Instead, they sent Sheila. Now that Sheila was missing, Brody was finally panicking? The thought made Nelly’s stomach turn.

“This isn’t the time to get emotional. The kidnapper’s motives aren’t clear. I was worried you’d...” Brody faltered, looking away.

“Get dragged into the danger.” His voice sounded awkward, unsure, and she could hear the guilt behind his words. To her, it felt like a lame excuse.

“Really? So before, you were scared for me, but now you’re not? Or are you finally realizing you should’ve just asked me from the beginning?” She shook her head, a bitter laugh slipping out. She didn’t even have the energy to be angry anymore. The disappointment was just... empty.

Brody’s jaw clenched and he pressed his palm hard into his thigh, struggling to keep his cool. He knew coming to her now only made things worse, and her attitude stung. He hadn’t meant it that way. Was that really how bad she thought he was?

Nelly didn’t bother replying. She pulled out her phone and texted Felix. The Watsons had more connections in Westhaven than anyone. If there was any hope of finding Carrie, it was with them.

Brody noticed her glued to her phone and remembered something Sheila had said. “Did you get on the wrong side of someone?” he blurted out.

Nelly stopped cold. “What are you talking about?” Her eyes were so sharp he flinched a little. The police could feel the tension spiking again and quickly stepped in. They’d already asked Nelly the same thing, but she couldn’t think of anyone she’d crossed. The only person who came to mind was Rudy, but if Rudy was after her, he’d come for her directly. He didn’t even know about Carrie. That was why she’d messaged Felix, just to be sure.

But Brody’s question made it clear he didn’t trust her, not even about protecting their daughter.

Right then, Brody’s phone started ringing. He answered immediately. Sheila’s broken sobs came through, raw and desperate. Brody looked at the police, his eyes wide with panic.

Then the kidnapper’s voice cut in. “You think you can trick me? Who said you could bring the cops? I want Nelly.”

“This is your last chance. You have twenty minutes. She brings the money to the preschool entrance. If I see a single cop, if you break the deal again, the woman and the kid both die.”

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