When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 144

Nelly’s heart almost stopped. If they wanted to cross the border, it would mean three days of driving without a break.

Behind her, Carrie’s sobs filled the car. Watching her mother take the brunt of all this, Carrie felt nothing but guilt and fear. For so long, she’d thought that if Nelly didn’t dote on her, it meant her mom didn’t love her. Now she realized how wrong she’d been. She was the selfish one, the one without a heart.

“Shut up!” Hank snapped, his patience gone. His hand shot out and smacked Carrie across the face.

The slap stunned her. She didn’t dare make a sound, but tears kept streaming down her cheeks. The sound of it tore at Nelly’s heart.

“If you touch my daughter again, I swear we all go down together.” Nelly’s voice was steady, but her hands were shaking as she slammed her foot on the gas. The car jerked forward, nearly knocking Hank over.

Hank glared, his face twisted with anger. “Then you can go to hell first!”

He lunged, but Nelly stomped the brakes. His body lurched to the side. A knife grazed her neck, drawing blood, but she managed to push the gun away from him. Hank had thrown himself forward with too much force, and now he was thrown into the door by the momentum.

“Damn it!” he shouted, fumbling for the gun again.

He barely had time to react before the entire car shuddered from a massive impact. Out of nowhere, a black Rolls-Royce slammed into them, hitting the side where Hank sat. The timing was perfect.

The glass shattered. The force sent Hank flying, and he hit his head, knocked out cold. The car rocked, then tipped onto its side.

Nelly’s seat had shielded her from the worst of it, but the blow left her dizzy. Warm blood trickled down her forehead.

Carrie’s corner of the car had formed a tiny safe space. She wasn’t hurt, but the shock left her frozen and breathless. After a long moment, she finally gasped for air and let out a wail.

“Mom… Mom… ah, ah…” Carrie's desperate cries snapped Nelly back to herself. Smoke filled the car now. The engine was probably on fire. Nelly tried to move, but she was pinned by the crushed metal.

“Carrie… Carrie, it’s okay. Don’t be scared. I’m here. Mommy’s right here. The police are on their way. Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.” Nelly forced herself to sound calm, even as she tried to wriggle free.

Suddenly, there was a banging at the door. Someone was trying to get in.

Jonah finally managed to wrench the door open enough for Nelly to squeeze out. She collapsed into his arms.

“It’s alright… You’re safe,” Jonah whispered, holding her up with his forearms. He tried not to touch her with his bloody hands.

Nelly reached for him anyway, gripping his hand tightly. “Jonah… I think I really need your help this time…”

She was fading fast. The words barely left her lips before she passed out.

Her last glimpse was of Carrie running toward her, still crying. Her tiny body, wild hair, streaked and dirty face… In the glow of the fire, she looked just like a scared little kitten. Just like when she was small, learning to walk, stumbling and crying, always running into Nelly’s arms. Back then, Carrie needed her for everything.

Seeing Nelly so weak now, Jonah’s eyes went cold. He glanced back at Hank, rage boiling up inside him. The urge to finish him off was hard to fight down.

Jonah gathered Nelly into his arms. Part of him wanted to take her away and never let her go, to hide her somewhere safe where no one could hurt her again, where she’d never have to see any of these people. But reason and anger held him back. Nelly had suffered for Brody and Carrie for so much. It was time for everyone to see what she’d gone through.