When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 258

While he was out cold, everything felt fuzzy. Voices drifted in and out, and most of them seemed to be talking about Nelly. The memories were a jumbled mess now, impossible to piece together. But after coming so close to death, after brushing up against the edge, none of that seemed to matter much anymore. What really mattered was how Nelly felt about him now.

“Why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?” Nelly didn’t look his way, but Brody’s gaze burned so hot it was impossible to pretend she didn’t notice.

Brody finally spoke, his voice low. “Back in that last game, I kept thinking, if we made it out alive, maybe… maybe we could start over.”

His words hit her like a rock thrown into still water. Nelly felt it, but on the surface, she stayed calm. He’d asked her something like this in the casino, too.

“I don’t believe in starting over,” she said, her voice steady. “The past is the past. I appreciate you saving me, but that’s it.”

She kept her head down, avoiding his eyes. Whatever was going on in Brody’s head, she didn’t want to guess. She didn’t want to analyze her own feelings either. It hurt too much. Both of them were alive and safe now. No use getting tangled up in what-ifs. She had walked that road already, and it was behind her. From now on, she’d keep moving forward.

Brody’s hand gripped the edge of the bed, his knuckles white, veins standing out so much it looked painful. He watched her, his eyes growing darker and his voice rough. “I remember when I got shot… you cried for me. Nelly, you still care about me.”

“It doesn’t matter how I feel about you.” Nelly cut him off before he could say anything else.

“When we’re back in Westhaven, everything goes back to how it was. Our deal still stands.” She looked up at him then, her eyes hard and clear, not a hint of emotion showing.

She didn’t wait for him to respond. She got up, ignoring his hand reaching for her, and left the room without looking back.

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