When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 170

Alan asked while he helped out, eyeing the furniture being carried away. It all looked like stuff from Nelly’s room.

Marian gave him a little smile. “That’s just the start. Pretty soon, I think the whole house is getting a makeover.”

“Why’s that?” Alan asked.

“I don’t really know. It was Mr. Garland’s idea. Maybe he wants to surprise her or something.”

Marian honestly wasn’t sure what prompted all this. Brody had come home late last night and, without warning, ordered the furniture swap right then and there. They started with everything in Nelly’s room, then the rest of the house was next. There’d even been talk of remodeling, but that was way too big to pull off overnight, so furniture changes would have to do for now.

The new style wasn’t anything like the simple French look Brody always loved. Marian figured maybe he just wanted a fresh start with Nelly now that she was back. Out with the old, in with the new. Maybe it was his way of hoping for something better.

Alan paused for a second, then gave a knowing little smile, as if something finally clicked.

*

Nelly sat in Brody’s study, drafting an agreement. She had pulled an all-nighter, barely packed anything, just grabbed a few essentials, and showed up before sunrise.

Brody was clearly waiting for her. The dark circles under Nelly’s eyes matched his own. Neither of them had slept.

He had always been sure she’d come, if only for Finn’s sake. Still, he’d been anxious, worried she might just walk away.

Now that Nelly was here, standing right in front of him, he felt that old sense of control settle back over him, like things were finally back in his hands.

“You said I could set the terms. So, let’s lay down some ground rules,” Nelly said, handing Brody a pen and a sheet of paper.

She agreed to move back in for two weeks. Partly because Brody promised her answers, and partly because she wanted to be with her daughter.

But she had conditions. Brody couldn’t interfere with her life during these two weeks, couldn’t ask about her personal business, and Sheila wasn’t allowed near her or Carrie. No exceptions.

Once the two weeks were over, they would get divorced right away. Brody would have to split the assets the way she wanted.

Brody glanced at her messy handwriting and let out a cold, mocking smile.

She’d learned from the best, he thought. The prenup he’d made her sign back then wasn’t nearly as strict as this.

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