When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 8

“Then Carrie can sleep at my place tonight,” Sheila said quietly, her cheeks pink. “You don’t have to go home, either…”

Brody just looked at Sheila, staying silent. Sheila knew what Brody’s silence meant. He never said no to his daughter’s face.

Sheila glanced at Carrie, giving her a look. Carrie got it right away and jumped in.

“Daddy, I want to watch a movie with Ms. Olson. I don’t want to go home,” she begged. “Please…”

She clung to Brody’s hand, pouting in a way only she could get away with. Nobody else would push their luck with him like this.

“You’ve never stayed out before. Your mom will worry.” Brody bent down so his eyes met Carrie’s, his voice calm as he tried to reason with her. Usually, that was enough for Carrie to listen.

But not tonight.

She was still mad at Nelly. She really didn’t want to go home.

“Just tonight… I just want to be with Ms. Olson,” Carrie mumbled, her head down, eyes teary and stubborn.

“Okay, okay. Your dad’s right. Maybe next time,” Sheila said quickly, trying to ease the tension. She turned to Brody and leaned in, her voice low. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have suggested it. It’s just, you’ve been so busy, and I wanted to spend a little more time with you… And Carrie didn’t seem happy today, so I thought…”

“Just for tonight. Not again,” Brody interrupted, his voice suddenly carrying across the room to Carrie.

Carrie blinked in surprise, her sad face lighting up in an instant. “Thank you, Daddy!”

Back at home, Nelly sat in the living room, divorce papers on the table, waiting. It was already ten thirty. She was just about to call Brody when her phone rang.

“Brody, I want to talk—”

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