When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 15

Jonah’s lips moved as if he was about to say something, but then he noticed Nelly coming over. He quickly ended the call.

“Your phone,” he said, handing it back to her. “I accidentally hung it up.”

Nelly hesitated for a second, set down the little pot of simmering pork rib soup, then took the phone from him. Sure enough, it was Brody calling. It had been a day and a night already. Was he just now realizing she wasn’t there?

She gave a little cold smile and set the phone aside without a second thought.

Jonah asked, sounding casual, “Not going to call him back?”

Nelly glanced at him with a hint of amusement. “You saw who it was, didn’t you? That’s why you hung up.”

Jonah just nodded, not really confirming or denying it.

“I just didn’t want you to give in,” he said.

“Don’t worry about me. Once I make up my mind, I never look back.”

Her face was calm, her whole vibe collected. Jonah couldn’t see even a bit of leftover emotion. Still, five years was a long time to love someone that deeply. If Brody came back, could she really stay this strong? The thought barely crossed his mind before he found it ridiculous. Since when did he care so much about other people’s business? Technically they were family, but they’d only known each other a few days.

Nelly had put together a nice dinner, three dishes and a soup, a mix of meat and veggies that looked and smelled amazing.

Jonah didn’t usually eat this kind of home-cooked food, but out of politeness, he tried a bit of everything.

“You’re a really good cook,” he told her.

“Of course I am. I spent five years cooking with our family’s private chef.”

She seemed proud for a moment, but the smile faded, leaving her looking a little sad. The room suddenly felt heavier.

After a while, Jonah said softly, “You don’t have to do all this anymore.”

“Okay.” Nelly lowered her head and quietly ladled some soup into a bowl for him.

When Jonah reached out to take the bowl, his hand brushed against hers. Her wedding ring was hard to miss, big and sparkling. Both of them looked down at it.

He picked up the bowl and finished all the soup in one go.

Nelly watched him expectantly, and he played along. “It’s really good.”

She laughed. “You know, on the outside you look all cold and unapproachable, but deep down, you’re actually just a good guy.”

Jonah looked confused, like he thought he’d done something wrong. “Did I do something?”

Nelly shook her head, a little amused by his reaction. “No, nothing at all.”

Then she noticed his bowl. The soup was gone, but the ingredients were untouched.

“You… don’t like these veggies?”

A hint of embarrassment crossed Jonah’s face, like he just realized he was supposed to eat the veggies too.

Nelly stared at him, genuinely shocked. “Wait, don’t tell me that in your family, you stew a whole pot of soup and only drink the soup?”