When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 23

Brody barely had time to answer before Sheila’s voice came through, tight with panic.

“I’m on my way.”

He ended the call in a rush. Nelly had caught the name “Carrie” and it sent a chill straight through her. Something was wrong. She reached out and grabbed Brody’s arm.

“What happened to Carrie?”

His eyes were cold, sharp as glass. She felt her heart sink. “She’s been in an accident.”

Brody hit the gas, weaving through traffic. He looked calm enough, but he almost ran a red light twice. His grip on the steering wheel was so tight his knuckles stood out bone-pale.

Nelly’s thoughts spun out of control. She couldn’t help but remember the day their son was rushed into emergency. She’d been at work, stuck late with a project, and by the time she and Brody made it to the hospital, the worst news was already waiting for them…

“Carrie will be okay.”

Brody’s voice broke through her panic just when her chest felt too tight to breathe. He stared straight ahead, the passing streetlights tracing the lines of his face, making him look almost untouchable. Handsome, but so far away.

He was always like this, calm no matter what. That night years ago, when their son died, she had passed out again and again, but Brody just kept it together. She remembered waking up in the hospital hallway, seeing him talking business with someone on the phone, his voice steady. He’d handled everything for their son’s funeral, every detail, without ever breaking down.

He’d let her grieve, but his steady calm only reminded her how little she seemed to matter to him. Even their child couldn’t break through his walls. He always seemed to stand on the sidelines, untouched.

But this was different. Carrie wasn’t just anyone. She was close to the girl Brody loved, and suddenly he seemed to care a lot more.

They reached the hospital in no time. Nelly jumped from the car, her knees threatening to give out. She nearly fell, but Brody grabbed her arm, steadying her.

“Watch your step.”

“Brody, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I just wanted to take Carrie out for a little while. I never thought something like this would happen…”

“It was just an accident. Don’t blame yourself,” Brody said, his voice calm. He looked her over, noticing her torn shirt and the angry red scrapes on her arm. “Are you hurt?”

Sheila shook her head, eyes wet, her whole body shivering. She looked so small and helpless that it was hard to be angry at her.

Nelly didn’t care. She stormed over, her heels striking the floor in quick, angry steps.

Sheila tried to move away, but Nelly caught her arm with a grip that surprised them both. Sheila struggled, and Nelly held her tight, her fingers digging in.

Nelly’s hand came up, ready to slap her, and Sheila squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the blow.