When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 180

“What happened?”

Jonah could tell Nelly was on edge. He hesitated, concern flickering in his eyes.

Nelly’s voice shook. “It’s serious. It’s about a girl’s life.”

April had sent her a goodbye message, thanking Nelly and Carrie for celebrating her birthday. But the last line was wrong. April wrote that she hoped she could be Nelly’s daughter in her next life.

It was clear what that meant.

Dread settled heavy in Nelly’s chest.

There was no time to explain everything to Jonah. She grabbed her phone and called the preschool, her heart pounding. As she’d feared, April’s mother had picked her up and she never came back to class.

Nelly didn’t have Victoria’s number, so she reached out to Jessie, one of the teachers. Jessie couldn’t give out private details, but she promised to try contacting April’s mom.

Jonah turned the car around, glancing at Nelly, as if he wanted to say something but thought better of it. If they headed back now, they’d miss the chance to see Howard. And if this turned out to be nothing… it would be such a waste. Nelly surely knew all this. April wasn’t her own kid, and technically it wasn’t her responsibility. Still, she didn’t hesitate at all. Jonah knew, even if he spoke up, nothing would change her mind.

Nelly called the police, but there wasn’t much to go on. Without clear information, the officers could only take down her number and try to trace any leads.

As they drove, Jessie called back. April’s mother was looking for her too.

That afternoon, Victoria had taken April back to her boarding class. On the way, she stopped at a fruit stand, and when she turned around, April was gone. Victoria checked the security cameras. April had slipped away on her own, vanishing down a little side street.

Jessie sent Nelly the last known location.

Nelly thanked her and immediately pulled up a map, scanning for clues.

“When kids run off, they usually go somewhere they know. Do you have any idea where she might go?” Jonah asked, piecing things together from what he’d overheard.

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