When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 4

Nelly’s smile grew, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Now she got it. The house she’d called home for five years was just a copy, a replica built from Brody’s longing for someone else. The girl he loved was finally back, and that meant Brody could stop living in a world made for someone who wasn’t even there.-

Sheila walked in, still holding her phone, and handed Nelly a glass of water.

“Here, have some water. And don’t worry about the car. You don’t have to pay for anything.”

Nelly hesitated, taking the glass but not drinking. “I can’t just let it go like that.”

“It’s not about you,” Sheila said gently. “He just hates dealing with people. Seriously, you don’t need to feel bad.”

Every time Sheila mentioned Brody, her face seemed to soften a little more. She was someone who glowed with the kind of gentle kindness that only comes from being deeply in love.

Nelly pressed her lips together and looked around the living room. On the wooden table sat a half-eaten cake and a pile of expensive gifts. Ignoring Sheila’s curious glance, she walked straight over.

Among all the luxury boxes, two things stood out. One was a framed drawing of a family of three having dinner together. Nelly recognized it immediately. Her daughter had drawn it.

The other was a handmade cup sparkling with little diamonds. Nelly had seen that cup at Selina’s place. Selina said it was a birthday present for a friend, and she’d even brought it with her when they visited the cemetery today.

A quiet, bitter laugh slipped out. Her husband, her daughter, even her longtime friend… It seemed like everyone else was in on something she’d never knew. She was the only fool here!

“Oh, it’s my birthday today. Do you want some cake? It’s really good, if you don’t mind that a few pieces are already gone…” Sheila’s voice trailed off when she saw the look on Nelly’s face. For a second, Nelly wanted to scream or break something, but she swallowed it down.

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