When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 131

Brody froze up.

His mind jumped back to that man he’d seen downstairs. The guy was ridiculously good-looking. He's got that reserved, distant vibe, but under it all, there was something fierce about him.

After that, Brody barely registered anything Alan said. He just sat there, gripping his phone so tight it felt like his bones might snap. Memories started rushing in.

Back when Nelly was still a student, she was always trailing after him. She’d say again and again how she just wanted to stay by his side. He never took it seriously.

Nobody sticks around forever. No feeling lasts. He’d always told himself that. But for a second, he’d almost believed she might be the exception.

“Brody, are you really going to marry me?”

“Sign the prenup and we’ll get married. But there’s no love between us, just obligations. Think carefully if you really want this title.”

“I’ve thought about it. As long as I’m with you, nothing else matters.”

Brody snapped out of it, a cold little sneer escaping him.

Nelly.

It’s only been days since we split, and you’re already moving on?

…

Nelly and Jonah didn’t make it to the mountain until the middle of the night. The darkness was thick as paint, making the stars seem even brighter. The wind was freezing, but Nelly didn’t care. She just stared up at those faraway stars, lost in thought.

“Is it as beautiful as you imagined?” Jonah asked, draping a blanket over her shoulders. He looked up at the sky, too.

“Not really,” Nelly admitted.

The things you picture in your head are always perfect. Sure, the mountain was stunning, and there were so many stars, all of them bright and romantic, but real life is never quite like your imagination.

“Some things only turn beautiful once they become memories,” Jonah said, as if he could read her mind.

They watched the stars for a while, both of them starting to feel tired. Jonah picked a spot, spread out a blanket, set up a little heater, and sat down with Nelly.

He handed her a bottle of water. “If you get sleepy, go nap in the car. Sunrise is still a ways off.”

“Okay.” Nelly felt safe with him there.

She looked at Jonah, her gaze suddenly steady and intense.

He gave her a shy smile. “What’s with the staring?”

“I was just thinking... you take such good care of me. What if I get used to it? What if I start to depend on you?”

Her words caught him off guard.

After a moment, he looked back at her. “Is it so bad, having someone to lean on?”

“What about you, Jonah? Any wishes?” she asked.

Jonah hesitated, his eyes on the stars. After a while, he said quietly, “I doubt the stars would listen to me.”

“They will,” Nelly said. “And if they don’t, I’ll share the stars that heard my wish with you.”

Her voice was soft and light. The words were childish, but she made them sound so genuine, like she really believed it.

Soon Nelly grew sleepy. Jonah was still pointing out constellations when her head dropped and she nodded off against his shoulder.

He stopped talking. He sat perfectly still until she was deep asleep, then gently carried her back to the car.

The next thing Nelly knew, Jonah was nudging her awake. When she opened her eyes, the sky was painted with fiery clouds, streaks of red and orange spilling across the horizon like a giant canvas.

“Sunrise…” she breathed, instantly awake. She pushed open the car door and stepped outside.

The view was wide open, and sunlight poured over everything, warm and golden.

Jonah walked over, the morning light making him look almost otherworldly. For a second, Nelly just stared. She wasn’t really looking at the sunrise. She was looking at Jonah, realizing he’d been watching her all along.

On the way home, Nelly tried to convince Jonah to let her drive so he could rest, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He said she looked more tired and should get some more sleep.

All the way down the mountain, Nelly watched as the sun’s gentle glow slowly faded, holding on to the warmth as long as she could.