When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 66

The gift sitting on Brody’s desk was from the event organizers—it had arrived just yesterday. Brody hadn’t wanted it and was about to toss it aside, but then he remembered Sheila, who had missed out on the painting she wanted. It seemed like the perfect way to cheer her up.

He told Alan to drop it off at Sheila’s place and just say it was from the organizers. Easy enough.

But fate had other plans. Sheila showed up at the office today and spotted the gift box right there on Brody’s desk. Her eyes lit up with curiosity. She even asked Alan if it was a present for one of Brody’s clients. Thinking fast, Alan went along with it. He said Brody had picked it out just for her. After all, making Ms. Olson happy was what Brody wanted, and he wouldn’t mind a little white lie.

If only Alan had known what he was walking into.

“Nelly... I didn’t expect to see you here,” Alan said, his voice awkward.

Sheila stiffened, her nerves buzzing. She quickly slid the box behind her back, trying to act casual.

Brody glanced at Nelly, looking like he wanted to say something. Nelly, though, just turned away, pretending he didn’t exist.

Watching Brody and Sheila together, so close and comfortable, was like a punch to Nelly’s chest. She refused to let it show. Instead, she kept her cool and treated them like they were invisible. “Alan, are you just going to stand there? I don’t have all day.”

“Oh, right, sorry!” Alan nearly tripped over himself in his hurry to leave.

Brody noticed Nelly’s icy attitude and didn’t push. He turned to Sheila, his tone easy. “I’m glaf you like it.”

“Thank you... I really do,” Sheila replied, her voice softening as she leaned closer to him.

The way they acted, so openly affectionate, felt like a slap in the face. Nelly clenched her hands, forcing her expression to stay neutral. Without a word, she walked to the far side of the room and sat down, putting as much distance between herself and the happy couple as possible.

They were on the verge of divorce. Losing her cool now would only make her look pathetic, like she still cared too much.

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