When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 97

A tear from Nelly landed softly at the corner of Brody’s mouth.

That was it. He just couldn’t keep going.

The moment he let her go, Nelly curled up on the bed, hugging her knees, sobbing until she could barely breathe. She bit down, trying to hold it all in, and it was the kind of sound that made your heart break just listening.

Brody found the whole situation almost ridiculous. He didn’t know what he was feeling. All he could taste was the bitterness of her tears, so sharp it felt like it could burn straight through him.

After a long, heavy silence, Brody pushed himself up and went into the bathroom, closing the door and leaning his weight against it. He stared at his reflection and was surprised to see he looked just as wrecked.

Jessie showed up soon after, arms full of supplies. She barely glanced at him before telling him to wait outside.

Brody ended up pacing the hallway for nearly an hour before Jessie finally opened the door again.

Nelly was asleep at last. There was a glass of water on the nightstand, a few pills scattered nearby. Her clothes had been changed, and Jessie looked exhausted, hair sticking to her forehead, her jacket tossed aside so she was left in just a thin tee.

“Who would do something so nasty? The dose was way too high. If I hadn’t gotten her to throw up in time, she’d be in the ER right now.” Jessie’s voice was sharp, and her glare made it clear she was furious. You’d think Brody had been the one to hurt Nelly.

Brody didn’t react. He just went to check on Nelly, who looked so pale and fragile, like she’d shrunk into herself. At least now, she was finally resting.

“She really was drugged,” he said quietly.

“Of course she was.” Jessie rolled her eyes, trying to keep her temper in check. “She has always been nothing but honest with you. I know you don’t trust anyone, but do you really have to doubt her when she’s sick?”

Brody glanced at her. “Last time, when she had the stomach bleed… was that real?”

Jessie stared at him. “What do you mean? It’s in her medical records.”

“Records can be faked,” Brody said, eyes narrowing. “You seem pretty close to her.”

Jessie finally got it. He thought she’d helped Nelly lie. She forced herself to breathe deeply so she wouldn’t wake Nelly.

“I consider Nelly a friend, but we’re not that close. I work for your family, you know. If you want to doubt her, there’s nothing I can say. But if you’re doubting my work, then I’ll gladly go to the hospital with you to prove everything.”

Brody looked at Nelly, his face unreadable, eyes dark. He remembered how he’d been so angry over Sheila’s accident that he hadn’t even bothered to check the facts—just decided Nelly was lying.

But now that he started to think about it, even if Nelly had gotten Jessie to help her, she had to know she couldn’t keep it from him forever. She’d been around him long enough to understand that.

“As soon as Nelly’s settled, we can go get her records right now. You can call in any doctor you want to confirm,” Jessie offered.

“That’s not necessary.”

Brody cut her off, his voice cold and tight. Jessie gave up arguing.

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