When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 141

Sheila also worried that if Nelly tried to rescue her own daughter, Brody might go easy on her. That’s why Sheila went through all this trouble, putting on an entire show. By risking her life to save Carrie, she would make Brody feel like he owed her everything. Meanwhile, Nelly would look like someone who got herself into trouble and dragged Carrie down with her. If she died, people would just say she brought it on herself. So, when Sheila returned to Brody, battered and hurt, he’d stop obsessing over Nelly’s death. Carrie would always remember that Sheila saved her life. It was the perfect plan.

“I’ll slap you a couple of times, make your face look red,” Hank said, looking Sheila over, already understanding what she wanted.

Sheila shook her head and stretched out her arm. “Use a knife.”

“A knife?” Hank stared at her.

Sheila bit down hard and nodded, showing him where to cut. She wanted her arm, thigh, and even her chest slashed, so she’d look like she’d been tortured.

Hank looked at her like she was crazy. He’d never met a rich, beautiful woman who would go this far for a man. She was even more ruthless than the guys he worked for. But he was being paid. So, with steady hands, he cut her just as she asked.

The pain nearly made Sheila black out. Sweat and blood soaked her clothes, and Hank quickly handed her tissues to press against the wounds.

“Is this man really worth it?” he asked, thinking about how Sheila was the same age as his own daughter, and a good friend too. For a moment, he actually felt sorry for her.

Sheila’s eyes were cold and determined. She took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to stay conscious. “He’s worth it. As long as I can have him in the end, it’s all worth it.”

“Then I hope you get what you want,” Hank said, his voice flat as he helped her up from the floor. “Can you stand?”

Sheila was in too much pain to speak, so she just nodded. She glanced at Carrie. Hank offered, “Want me to rough her up, too?”

“Not now.” Sheila shook her head.

“I know what to do.” Hank got it. If this was a performance, it needed an audience.

“One more thing. This has to stay between us,” Sheila said, still not sure if she could trust him. Selina said Hank was good to her, but could someone like him really be trusted?

“Don’t worry. No one’s going to know about this except me.” For a second, Hank looked sad. “But... Take care of Selina for me, will you?”

The mercenaries lowered their guns. “Damn it, he got away…”

Nelly didn’t waste a second. She darted after them, but Brody grabbed her arm.

“Let go! Carrie’s still with them! You ruined everything!” Nelly was furious. Brody didn’t know all the details, but looking around the room, he put it together quickly. He wouldn’t let go. Instead, he held tight to her hand and pulled her along as he chased after the others.

The moment Brody saw Nelly being taken, a fear he’d never felt before hit him hard. He couldn’t even explain it. When Carrie was in trouble, he’d prepared for the worst, but that hadn’t made him feel this helpless and panicked. Now, it was like he lost control. He ran, not caring what anyone thought, and snatched a motorcycle from the street. He sped after the kidnappers, reckless and wild, until they made a sharp turn that sent him crashing to the ground.

He barely felt the pain. He scrambled up and kept running. Brody’s memory was sharp. Even as Nelly’s captors switched cars, he memorized every license plate. The last two digits were always the same. That had to mean something about their group.

Brody called Alan and told him to check. The winding route was just a trick to throw people off. If the kidnappers could keep track of Nelly and the police, they had to be close by.

Brody was right. With his clue, the police quickly found the kidnappers’ hideout. But he couldn’t wait for them. He went in alone. These people were after Nelly. If he was even a second too late… she might not make it.