When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 359

“You could say that.” Brody’s answer was soft, almost dismissive. He could tell Nelly was making fun of him, but he didn’t rise to the bait. Usually, he never believed in fate or luck. He only trusted himself. Still, sometimes fate demanded a little respect, whether he liked it or not.

Nelly pressed her lips together and let the moment pass. The evening breeze lifted Brody’s hair, and with his tall, straight build, he looked distant, a little sad even. In all these years, Nelly had only ever seen him as cold and numb to everything. Maybe it was just something about tonight, the way the air felt heavy with possibility, that made him seem almost… human.

After they set their lamp adrift, Nelly took Carrie for a walk around the square. Carrie spotted some kids on the swings and ran over, her eyes bright with excitement. There were only two swings, but three girls were taking turns. Nelly figured Carrie would have to wait, but the girls were sweet, and when they saw she was the youngest, they let her go first. The oldest girl even gave Carrie a push, making her giggle.

Nelly watched them play, a little smile tugging at her lips. She took a seat on a bench across from the swings to wait. Brody sat down beside her. Instinctively, Nelly shifted away, keeping a careful gap between them.

“I haven’t seen Carrie this happy in a long time. I guess she really is happiest with her mom,” Brody said. His voice was low and warm, gentle in the quiet night.

Nelly didn’t bother to look at him. “Oh? So does that mean I get custody?”

Brody glanced over at her, his expression unreadable. “If you’re still angry about last time, I can apologize.”

She shot him a cold look. “I don’t need an apology you don’t mean.”

“You have your feelings, but I do too.” His voice was tight. They weren’t even divorced yet, and she was already getting close with that Watson guy. She’d said things that cut him deep, and Brody was honestly surprised at how much restraint he’d shown. He was still here, trying to make things right.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify