When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 24

The sting of a slap filled the air, but it never landed on her face.

Sheila’s eyes snapped open, heart pounding with confusion. Nelly had shoved her aside and, in the next instant, slapped Brody hard across the face. The sound echoed, and an angry red mark bloomed on his skin.

Brody just stood there, too shocked to move. For a few seconds, he stared at Nelly like he couldn’t believe what just happened.

Alan jumped in, quickly putting himself between Brody and Nelly. “Mrs. Garland, what are you doing? Let’s talk about this. You can’t just hit him.”

“Brody, Carrie trusts you. Is this really how you take care of her?”

Sheila was scared, but she found her voice for Brody’s sake. “You’re Mrs. Garland, right? I’m Sheila, Carrie’s art teacher. I’m sorry, but this wasn’t Brody’s fault. I wanted to take Carrie out. I never expected…”

“Art teacher? Please.” Nelly didn’t even glance her way. Her tone was icy. “I wasn’t even talking to you. Attention seeking too much? Or do you want to get slapped too?”

Sheila felt the sting of that comment and looked to Brody, hoping he’d say something.

But Nelly spoke first, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Congratulations, Brody. The girl you’ve been obsessed with for years is finally back. But do you have to be so eager to make her a stepmom? Was today’s accident just my daughter’s bad luck having you as her father, or does her new stepmother already want nothing to do with her?”

Nelly’s words were sharp and loud, turning heads. However, with Brody’s status and his bodyguards nearby, nobody dared get involved.

Even with Sheila by his side, Brody stayed perfectly calm. There was no hint of guilt, no shame, just that steady confidence he always had.

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