When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 177

“Is your life really worth so little?”

Brody’s voice was sharp, the coldness in his eyes impossible to miss. He didn’t let go of Sheila’s hand, but there was no warmth left in his expression. He did care about her, and sometimes her pain even moved him. But after so many times of Sheila using her life to threaten him, his patience had completely run out.

Sheila froze. She was so sick, she thought for sure he’d show some softness. But he didn’t budge at all.

“Your father’s only regret before he died was you. If you really want to die, I can’t stop you. Even if I spend the rest of my life feeling guilty, I guess I’ll just have to make it up to your father in the next one.”

Brody threw down those words and turned to leave.

Sheila panicked. “I’m sorry. I was just being reckless. I promise, I won’t do this again.” She tried to sit up but her whole body ached, the IV tugging at her hand until she nearly knocked over the stand.

“Please… Brody, don’t ignore me. Don’t be mad at me.”

Her voice was shaky, almost breaking into sobs. She really was scared now.

Brody walked a few steps, then stopped. Sheila’s emotions were all over the place. He had no choice but to call Alan, asking him to bring some clothes from home. Brody stayed at the hospital with Sheila, at least until he had to go to work.

When Alan got back to the house, Nelly and Carrie were just waking up. Brody hadn’t come home all night, and Nelly had barely slept. She wasn’t just upset about Brody. Finn was on her mind too.

Her son’s situation was so strange, but with only one video, the police didn’t have any real leads. There was hardly anything to go on. In the Watson family, Nelly didn’t have many connections. Felix probably wouldn’t help, and even if he did, he’d just tell her to focus on her inheritance.

After thinking it over, Nelly decided to anonymously hire a well-known private investigator in Westhaven.

As Alan came downstairs with Brody’s clothes, Carrie looked confused. “Alan, where’s Daddy?”

“Uh, Mr. Garland, he…” Alan hesitated, seeing Nelly standing behind Carrie. He didn’t know what to say.

Nelly tried to look like she hadn’t noticed, reminding herself she was just there for her daughter. She and Brody had already agreed to keep out of each other’s lives.

But Alan’s awkwardness only made the whole thing more uncomfortable.

“You should take more clothes next time. Save yourself from coming here every single day,” Nelly said, her voice icy. Brody and Sheila had been gone all night, and now Alan was delivering fresh clothes. She didn’t need to guess what that meant.

“Mrs. Garland, it’s not what you think. Something came up for Mr. Garland last night. He didn’t have time to change, so I…”

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