When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 226

“So you’re only just now realizing how great I am? Yeah, I don’t think Sheila would work half as hard as I did to fit in with the Garlands.”

Nelly’s words were sharp, every sentence deliberate, like she wanted Brody to feel every single jab. She was on guard, ready for a fight, while Brody’s sincerity just looked pathetic in comparison.

Still, he tried to keep the conversation going. “Things with Sheila… it’s complicated. I never planned on telling anyone, but if you really want to know, I can find a time and tell you everything. No secrets.”

“No thanks,” Nelly shot back immediately. “I’m not interested in hearing about the tragic romance of a cheater and his side chick.”

Brody’s pride was getting stomped on, over and over. Finally, he lost it. “Nelly, maybe you should give it a rest. You’ve loved me for years. Do you actually think you can just stop, just like that?”

There it was. The truth, plain and ugly.

Nelly knew he’d never actually cared about her. Brody only hated losing control. He needed to prove to himself she was still the girl who would drop everything for him, no matter what.

“Of course I can,” Nelly said, forcing a light smile.

Sure, after all those years, it wasn’t like she could just flip a switch and stop feeling anything. But she could decide to never look back.

Brody’s lips twitched and he looked like the pain might actually swallow him up. He couldn’t hide how much this hurt.

Suddenly, the iron door swung open. A harsh light blasted into the room, so bright they both had to squint.

A group of about a dozen men walked in, all wearing the same gray t-shirts. Their leader wore a mask, and something about him seemed familiar to Nelly. Her mind flashed back to last night at the bar—the bartender. It was him!

“Who are you? Why did you bring us here?” Nelly’s eyes flickered as she faked a look of fear.

The masked man didn’t buy it. He spoke calmly, almost bored. “You know who we are. Isn’t this the place you really wanted to be?”

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