When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 221

“Don’t be shy, guys. I don’t want to see him. Kick him out and I’ll pay you for it.”

Nelly jumped up, swinging her purse like she was giving a pack of dogs their marching orders.

Brody’s icy stare didn’t stand a chance against the lure of cash. A few of the bolder men immediately perked up, eager to show off.

“Hey man, you heard her. She doesn’t want you here. Better leave.”

“Yeah, don’t make things weird. Forced love never works. If she cared about you at all, she wouldn’t be hanging out with us for fun…”

The taunts flew at Brody, but he didn’t let them finish. He slipped off his watch and tossed it onto the couch beside Nelly.

His voice was cool. “So it’s all about money? Fine. The watch is yours.”

“Green diamonds!”

Someone gasped, recognizing the custom Patek Philippe right away. The green diamond edition. That watch had to be worth millions.

In a heartbeat, the guys who’d been crowding around Nelly rushed for the watch, forgetting everything else.

Nelly stared, stunned. Brody really didn’t hold back. Even she felt the urge to grab that watch.

“Are you done playing around?”

Brody pulled her close again, his words sharp and deliberate, his eyes locked on her like she was the only thing in the room.

“Brody, what do you want from me? Why can’t you just go back to your perfect little world with Sheila? Why are you still here, bothering me?”

Nelly genuinely didn’t get it. Ever since she’d asked for a divorce, Brody had been everywhere. Before, even if she was dying, he’d be impossible to reach.

“You’re Carrie’s mother,” Brody said, his voice flat.

Nelly was desperate now, saying whatever came to mind as she pushed against Brody’s chest, wanting him to just go.

“Enough.”

Brody pulled her into his arms.

For a second, Nelly froze.

The whole place was loud, music and voices everywhere, but Brody’s words cut right through the chaos, clear and steady.

His voice was soft, gentler than she’d ever heard.

He held her close, his hand on her bare back, not moving. Then he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, wrapping her up.

“If you don’t want me seeing Sheila, I’ll stay away from her. If you want me to care more about you, I will. I promise.”