When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 198

He used to take her out to all kinds of fancy restaurants, anywhere she wanted to go. They wandered through scenic spots together, almost like a couple out on real dates. For a while, it really felt like they were in their own little romance.

But that bliss only lasted about two months.

Nelly had always had a thing for Brody. The moment he started showing interest, she just couldn’t help herself. All those years of quiet crush turned into something wild and unstoppable. She fell fast and hard.

Then, almost out of nowhere, everything changed. Maybe Brody got busy with work, maybe it was something else, but he stopped inviting her out. Whenever she tried to get close, he seemed distant, even cold.

Looking back now, Nelly finally saw it for what it was. Maybe she’d just been a stand-in for someone else. Like when he’d copied Sheila’s decorating style, their dates might have been nothing but practice runs for another girl.

…

The next morning, Nelly came downstairs and found Carrie and Brody already at the table. She hadn’t slept well and woke up later than usual. Brody sticking around that late in the dining room was rare.

“Mom, breakfast is ready!” Carrie called out, bouncing up from her seat.

Nelly nodded, shot Brody a quick glance, and sat next to Carrie, making sure to keep her distance from him. She wasn’t in the mood to talk, just wanted to eat and get it over with.

As she reached for a fried egg, her fork bumped into Brody’s. Their eyes met for a split second, and all the awkwardness from last night came rushing back. Nelly quickly withdrew her fork.

Brody didn’t react. He picked up the fried egg and dropped it onto Nelly’s plate like nothing happened.

“I don’t feel like eating this,” Nelly said, her voice flat as she scooped the egg onto Carrie’s plate.

Carrie’s big round eyes flicked between them. “Mom, I’m full.”

“That’s okay. If you can’t finish, just leave it,” Nelly said, giving her daughter a small smile. Even with Carrie there, she wasn’t about to pretend things were fine with Brody.

Brody seemed to get the hint. He wiped his mouth, stood up, and left the table without a word.

Once he was gone, Nelly finally relaxed enough to eat. She served herself another fried egg and finished it quickly.

Carrie stared at her plate, thinking that getting her parents back together was going to be a lot harder than she thought.

*

At the Nicholas estate, Anthony and Victoria sat in the lounge, waiting. They’d spent the whole night at the police station because of what Victoria had done. It was Nicholas’s people who bailed them out. Nicholas didn’t show up, but Anthony was anxious. Things with their son were already a mess, and they still had to live in Westhaven. Offending Nicholas now would make everything even harder.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify