When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 26

The door to the observation room swung open. A doctor wheeled Carrie out, and Jessie was right there with her. Nelly clutched her stomach, barely steady on her feet as she hurried after them.

“Dr. Morton, is my daughter okay?” Her voice trembled.

“She’s alright. Just a few bumps and a mild concussion. It must’ve been a hard hit, and that’s why she passed out.” Jessie tried to calm Nelly. The tension in the hallway was thick. The arguing earlier had been loud enough that everyone knew Nelly and Brody had been fighting. Jessie took one look at Nelly’s pale face. “Are you sure you’re okay? You should really sit down.”

“I’m fine.” Nelly didn’t want to talk about herself. She just followed Carrie into the hospital room.

Brody came in too. Jessie went over the care instructions, then slipped out. Carrie woke up not long after.

The first thing Carrie saw was Nelly, leaning over her with worry written all over her face. Carrie’s eyes went glassy, and she looked like she might cry.

“Mom…” Her voice was rough, barely more than a whisper.

Nelly nodded, quick and anxious. “I’m here, sweetheart. Are you in pain? Does anything hurt?”

Carrie only had a small bandage on her head. It didn’t look serious, but it broke Nelly’s heart. Carrie just shook her head and glanced past Nelly to Brody, searching the room for someone else.

Nelly felt her chest tighten. She already knew who Carrie was looking for.

“Sheila went home. She’s okay,” Nelly said quietly.

Carrie blinked, surprised, and peeked at Brody with a guilty look. He’d told her ages ago not to tell Mom she was spending time with Ms. Olson, just to avoid trouble.

Carrie really wished Ms. Olson could be her new mom, but even she knew some secrets had to stay hidden.

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