“That’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it another time, Gregory,” Nelly said quietly. Gregory nodded. “Yeah, you just got out of a dangerous situation. Don’t worry about anything else right now. You need to rest.”
Nelly was completely drained, her body aching with exhaustion, but she still made her way to the back of the plane to check on Brody, who was still unconscious. Gregory walked alongside her. “Is he the one who treated you badly?” he asked, frowning a little.
When the people from the Underground called him to come pick them up, they’d told him to bring medical help. Gregory had assumed Nelly was the one hurt. He hadn’t expected Brody to show any decency at this crucial time.
Nelly nodded. She looked at Brody, his face ghostly pale under the oxygen mask, and felt a dull ache in her chest. Compared with the Watsons, at least Brody had some sense of responsibility toward her as his wife, even if it was only in name.
“Did something happen between you two? Maybe a misunderstanding?” Gregory hesitated, not sure if he should say anything, but went on anyway. “A man willing to risk his life for a woman can’t be completely heartless.”
“Maybe he cares a little, but not much,” Nelly answered. To her, everything Brody had done just felt like torture. If he really cared, why would he have treated her that way, or still be hung up on Sheila? Some people save others just to feel noble. Or maybe, even if Brody did care about her now, Nelly wasn’t willing to accept it.
Gregory could sense all the messy feelings Nelly had about Brody, so he didn’t push her. He just gave her shoulder a gentle pat and left them alone.
The nurse came over and adjusted the equipment, then noticed Brody’s eyelids twitching. “Looks like he’s waking up.”
Nelly froze for a moment. Sure enough, Brody’s eyes slowly opened and settled on her. She got up, ready to leave, but his hand moved slightly, reaching for her.

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