When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 169

Just as Brody finished whispering in Nelly’s ear, her phone started buzzing. She had been gripping his long, strong fingers so tightly, but after hearing what he said, all her strength just disappeared.

Brody steadied her, carefully placing the phone in her palm.

“I’ll take Carrie home first. When you’re ready, come find me,” he told her.

He let go of her hand. Even after the phone screen went dark, Nelly was still lost in her thoughts, completely thrown by his words.

It wasn’t until she drove all the way home and parked in her driveway that she remembered to call Jonah back.

“Hey, Jonah… I was with Carrie earlier,” she said, making up an excuse on the spot. She knew it sounded weak, even to her own ears.

Jonah didn’t push for more details. His voice was steady and low. “Alright.”

Nelly didn’t know what else to say, but Jonah spoke up again. “I bought you a few things. I can drop them off right now.”

“No, it’s fine,” Nelly replied quickly. “I’m already home, and honestly, I’m just really tired. I want to go to sleep early tonight.”

She knew Jonah meant well. He always did. But her mind was a mess, and being alone sounded like the only thing she could handle.

“…Alright.”

Jonah didn’t argue.

His car was actually parked just down the street from Nelly’s apartment. After she and Brody had gone their separate ways, Jonah had followed her home, worried about her. She hadn’t noticed him at all.

Loving someone for years changes you. No matter how many times you promise yourself you won’t look back, when that person is still close by, how can you really let go?

After the call ended, Nelly sat in her car for a long time, staring out the window.

Brody had brought up Finn, and what he said kept echoing in her head.

He told her that the reason he hadn’t come to their son’s memorial wasn’t because of Sheila. It was because he’d gotten a message that Finn’s urn was empty.

Brody hadn’t told her right away—he was still investigating, trying to figure out the truth.

Nelly chewed nervously on her finger, trying to remember the day Finn died. Everything was a blur. When she heard the news, she completely broke down, sobbing until she passed out.

Later, she only caught a brief glimpse of Finn’s urn before Brody’s people took it away for the burial…

Now Brody was saying this. What was he even trying to tell her? Was her son’s body missing? Was there something suspicious about his death? Or—was it possible that Finn hadn’t died at all?

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