When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 291

A corner of his shirt was pulled up, showing a jagged scar stretching across his lower abdomen. It’s that scar he’d gotten when taking a knife for her.

Jonah struggled to sit up, bracing himself with his good hand. “Nancy, you promised me. Don’t go back on your word.” He locked eyes with her. “You can’t say a thing about Nelly’s secret. Not a word.”

Nancy jumped to her feet, tears sparkling in the light. “Fine. Great!” She took a few steps back, her voice shaking. “You’ll risk your life for her? Let’s see how far she’d go for you.”

She spun around to leave, but Jonah’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. His palm was burning hot, his grip so tight it hurt.

“Nancy.” His voice was low, almost thunderous. “Stop this. Don’t let hate take over your life. And you shouldn’t be with Rudy anymore. You know that.”

“I don’t need you telling me what to do!” Nancy yanked her hand free, her laugh cold and sharp. “What’s this? Afraid I’ll tell Nelly what kind of person you really are? Or are you scared I’ll tell her that the man she treats like family is actually obsessed with her? That you’d even jump off a building for her?”

“Nancy!” Jonah tried to block her again, but his body gave out. He dropped to his knees.

This time, Nancy didn’t even glance back. She walked straight through the crowd and out of the bar.

She ran down the street, the night wind drying her tears and stinging her cheeks. Finding a quiet corner, she slumped against a wall, fishing a pack of cigarettes from her purse. Her hands shook so badly she could barely light one.

A voice cut through the darkness behind her, cool and mocking. “Well? Feeling sorry for him already?”

Rudy stepped out from the shadows, his white suit almost glowing, gold-rimmed glasses catching the light. His eyes were cold and sharp, like a snake’s.

Nancy took a long drag, steadying her nerves. “What took you so long? You saw everything, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss a good drama.” Rudy gave a soft laugh. “But I really misjudged Jonah. The reporter you asked me to contact ghosted me. He’s not answering his phone, and someone followed me here. If I’d gone inside, Jonah probably would have dragged me straight to my grandfather for punishment.”

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