When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 281

Sheila’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressed together in frustration. Even now, Brody was still taking Nelly’s side? Was he out of his mind? Their eyes met, and the awkwardness in the hallway thickened. Sheila opened her mouth to speak, but Brody stopped her. “You should leave. There’s nothing for you here.”

Before she could respond, Brody started coughing violently. He leaned against the wall, his knuckles white as he struggled to catch his breath. Both Sheila and Nelly moved to help him, but Sheila reached him first, slipping her arms around his waist. Nelly hesitated, her hands balling into fists before she quickly lowered her gaze.

Brody was still so weak, his face pale with exhaustion. Even standing seemed like too much for him. Still, he pushed Sheila away the moment he could. Sheila shot Nelly a quick look, realizing how pointless it would be to stay any longer. She nodded and turned to leave, but as she passed Nelly, her voice softened. “Ms. Stewart, Brody’s still not well. I hope you’ll look after him.”

“Look after him?” Nelly couldn’t help but laugh. Sheila made it sound like Nelly was the intruder here, as if she was stealing Brody away.

Then Sheila leaned in, dropping her voice to a whisper right by Nelly’s ear. “Nelly, I know the Watsons aren’t like the Garlands. They’d never accept a woman who’s not wanted. Don’t you think it’s time to let go of Brody? Have some pride. Don’t go back to what you’ve already lost.”

The fake sweetness in Sheila’s tone was the last straw. Nelly’s hand shot out, smacking Sheila across the face. The slap rang out in the quiet corridor. Sheila stumbled back, clutching her cheek, her eyes wide with shock.

“That was for you,” Nelly said, shaking out her tingling hand. “Maybe now you’ll learn to say what you really mean.” She looked Sheila up and down, her patience worn thin. Nelly never liked resorting to violence, but today she was at her limit, and Sheila had pushed her too far.

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