When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 159

She hadn’t expected both her parents to come home. Carrie’s eyes were still puffy and red from crying, but a smile was already tugging at her lips. “Mom, don’t leave tonight, okay? I want to sleep with you.” She clung to Nelly, her voice sweet and pleading.

After all the effort it took to get her mom to come home, Carrie was determined not to let her go. Nelly sighed, reaching out to gently tap Carrie’s nose. “I’ll go after you fall asleep.”

“No way. Then I just won’t sleep at all!” Carrie scrunched up her face, stubborn and adorable.

“If I stay with you too long, you’ll get bored of me again.” Nelly’s voice was teasing, but she knew her daughter well. Carrie could look so pitiful, tears streaming down her cheeks, but her love for something new and exciting never lasted long. She always wanted things with her whole heart, then tossed them aside as soon as the feeling faded. Maybe she got that from Nelly.

Not wanting to spend another second with Brody, Nelly scooped Carrie up and walked her back to the bedroom. Brody just watched her go, standing there long after she disappeared upstairs.

It wasn’t until Marian came over that Brody finally spoke. “Did anyone get Nelly’s room ready?”

“Not yet…” Marian hesitated. “I figured even if she stayed, she’d want to sleep with Carrie tonight.”

“Get it ready tomorrow. Change everything, make it comfortable. And… make a light soup for breakfast,” Brody added after a pause.

“Of course.” Marian gave a small smile and nodded.

Outside, the rain poured down, wind howling through the trees. The storm sounded wild and angry. But inside, everything felt quiet and safe, the room bright and warm.

Carrie curled up in Nelly’s arms, listening to her mom read a story from a science magazine. She felt cozy and protected, nothing like those lonely, scary nights before. Having her mom with her was the best feeling. Why hadn’t she realized that sooner?

Eventually, Carrie drifted off. Nelly was so tired, her eyelids kept fluttering shut. The book slipped from her hand, landing on the floor without her noticing. She leaned against the bed, half asleep, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a gentle light across her face.

Suddenly, the light went out with a quiet click.

Startled, Nelly felt herself sway, a sudden weightlessness snapping her awake. She turned and saw Brody’s arms around her, lifting her up.

“Bro…” she started, but Brody pressed his finger to her lips. It was too dark to see his face, but Nelly understood. Carrie was sleeping soundly.

She realized she’d almost slid off the bed, and Brody had caught her when he came in to turn off the light. When it came to Carrie, they still had a bit of unspoken teamwork left.

Nelly walked out of the room, careful not to wake Carrie. Once the door was closed, she was ready to leave, but Brody stopped her. “The storm’s bad tonight. Stay and rest.”

“No, really, I’m fine.” Nelly was exhausted, and driving home in this weather wasn’t a good idea, but she didn’t want to stay just because Brody asked.

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