When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 27

Nelly spoke softly, but the disappointment and sadness on her face were impossible to miss. Carrie opened her mouth, ready to argue, but the words fizzled before she could get them out. She just didn’t have it in her.

It had never occurred to her that Nelly could actually get hurt. To Carrie, her mom was just supposed to be there, always giving, always putting everyone else first, never complaining. Nelly’s whole life seemed to revolve around her and Dad. As long as they were happy, that should be enough, right? There was no reason for her to be upset.

Carrie had never pictured a day when her mom would be disappointed in her. That thought just made Carrie feel more hurt. She turned her head away and ignored Nelly altogether.

“Carrie, your mom hasn’t been feeling well lately. She needs her rest too.” For once, Brody actually said something reasonable.

Nelly didn’t even acknowledge him. She just patted Carrie’s hand gently, stood up without looking at Brody, and walked out of the room.

There was a burning in her stomach that only got worse as she hurried down the hallway, her steps picking up speed until she practically ran into the restroom. She barely made it into a stall before she started vomiting, her body convulsing until there was nothing left in her stomach but bitter bile streaked with blood.

Her hands shook as she clung to the toilet. She was so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open. For so long, she’d ignored her health for her family’s sake. Now she was just scared. People always said only those who hadn’t really lived were afraid of dying, and right now, fear was all she felt. She was terrified of leaving this world without anything to show for it.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door of her stall. Nelly forced herself upright, thinking someone must be waiting for her to finish. But when she opened the door, she found Brody standing there.

“Brody, what are you doing in here? This is the ladies’ room...” Nelly was so stunned she almost forgot what she was saying. Before she could finish, Brody grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the stall.

She was too weak to resist, and he easily lifted her off her feet. Then, without warning, he wrapped his arm around her legs and swept her up into his arms.

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