When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 150

Brody was all ice and distance. Nelly, though, was pure warmth and heart. Somehow, the two of them just made sense together, like fire and snow melting into something unexpected.

“I heard you went toe-to-toe with the kidnappers to save your daughter. You’re seriously brave,” Jessie teased, grinning at Nelly.

Nelly laughed, but it was soft and shaky. “Honestly? I was scared out of my mind.”

“At least you are safe. Or I think someone would be drowning in regret right about now.”

Nelly just blinked at her, not sure how to answer. Jessie was obviously talking about Brody, but what was with everyone today? First Alan, now Jessie—did they really think Brody would regret anything when it came to her? That had to be the funniest thing Nelly had heard in ages.

“Dr. Reed, where’s my daddy?” Carrie piped up, her little voice sweet and hopeful.

Jessie looked around, thinking. “He’s not in the nurse’s office? Maybe he went back to his room?”

But before she could finish, Carrie’s voice rang out, “Daddy…”

Then she glanced anxiously at Nelly, her face worried and a little guilty.

Jessie turned, and there was Brody. Right beside him, pressed close, was Sheila.

Sheila was wearing a patient’s gown, her dark hair hanging loose, her face pale and tired. She clung to Brody’s arm, somewhere between needing support and just wanting to be close.

The moment Sheila saw Nelly, she froze up. Brody’s eyes lit up with surprise, then immediately locked onto the food container in Nelly’s hand.

He headed toward them, but the movement made him wince in pain. Sheila tightened her grip on him. “Brody, careful. Go slow.”

Brody squeezed her hand in return.

And just like that, Nelly’s mind flashed back to that awful scene at the hotel—the way Brody and Sheila had kissed when he was drunk.

Brody finally reached them. He looked right at Nelly, though he pretended to address his daughter. “You’re both awake. Have you had your meal?”

The awkwardness was thick. Jessie made her escape, but not before giving Nelly’s hand a squeeze and whispering in her ear, “Brody’s still your husband. Don’t let her take him.”

Carrie’s eyes flickered. She vaguely remembered Sheila being there when she was taken, but everything had been so terrifying she hadn’t noticed anything else.

Sheila nodded gently. “Don’t you remember? We were tied up together. I was worried the kidnappers would hurt you, so I argued with them…”

Carrie stared at Sheila, puzzled. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t remember. Maybe she’d been too scared.

Brody spoke up. “Ms. Olson protected you, that’s why you’re safe, Carrie. Say thank you.”

He was talking to Carrie, but he was really speaking to Nelly, too. The way Nelly was looking at him was cold, distant. Brody figured she was jumping to conclusions about him and Sheila again. He knew Sheila had been hurt for Carrie’s sake, but he’d been so caught up in worrying about Nelly he’d nearly forgotten. Sheila had called him from the hospital, covered in cuts and bruises, waiting for news about him and Carrie. She didn’t even have anyone there to help her. She hadn’t had any food either.

“Thank you, Ms. Olson,” Carrie said, her voice small but sincere. She still didn’t remember what happened, but the bandages looked painful, and Ms. Olson had always been kind to her. Thinking about how she’d promised to let Ms. Olson be her new mom made Carrie feel even worse.

Sheila smiled, standing up slowly. She turned to Nelly and bowed her head. “Ms. Stewart, I’m sorry. I couldn’t save Carrie. Because of me, you had to…”

Nelly’s glare was sharp enough to cut. Brody saw it and jumped in before she could say something harsh. “You don’t need to apologize. You did more than enough. We should be thanking you.”