When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 260

Nelly pressed her fingers to her brow, her eyes cold and hard. She tried to laugh, a bitter sound curling at her lips, but nothing came out. Her whole face twisted with frustration. Gregory, Jude, her mom, even herself... Christopher had played them all for fools, like it was some kind of game to him. Was he really just the type who got off on messing with people’s lives?

Gregory could tell something was wrong with Nelly. He swallowed, awkward and unsure, not knowing what to say to make any of this better. Nelly rubbed her forehead, silent for a long time, before finally telling Gregory what had happened in the Underground. Her mom had been the favorite dealer down there, but Christopher had thrown both of them aside for his own gain.

“Christopher told me not to say anything about this. Ever. I think maybe he felt guilty… too guilty to face you,” Gregory said, his voice low.

Gregory took a deep breath, still trying to wrap his head around it. He’d always known Christopher wasn’t a saint, but he never thought he could be that heartless. Still, when they’d met, as much as Christopher had his secrets, Gregory never got the sense he was that kind of monster.

“Guilty?” Nelly almost laughed, her voice sharp. “You really think he knows what guilt is?”

The more she learned about Christopher, the more she hated him. He’d used her mom to get ahead with the Watson family. Of course he’d never want to admit to having a secret daughter. Even all that talk about his will, it probably just meant he wanted to make sure the Watsons didn’t get what they wanted.

“Do you think… everything that happened to you in the Underground was planned by Christopher?” Gregory suddenly asked, his eyes wide.

Nelly shot him a strange look.

“I’m not just making stuff up. Christopher told me, if you ever needed help, I had to be there for you. Isn’t that weird? And look at what happened. You went to the Underground because of Nicholas, and it was like the whole place was set up just for you. Your mom’s friends were there, her whole story was wrapped up in it...”

More than two hours later, the plane touched down on the rooftop of Westhaven Central Hospital. Nelly had already called ahead to Jessie, so as soon as they arrived, Brody was rushed straight to intensive care. Not long after, Alan showed up, and Tina came running with him, panic in her eyes.

Tina had only heard that Brody and Nelly had gotten hurt while they were out together, and she instantly decided it was all Nelly’s fault. The moment she caught sight of Nelly talking to a doctor, all her anger and old grudges boiled over. She stormed over without a second thought.

“Nelly! You bitch! Do you just love to see Brody hurt?” Tina yelled, not caring who was watching.

Nelly was so tired she could barely stand. Seeing Tina coming at her felt like being swarmed by flies. She shot her a cold look and turned to leave, but that just made Tina angrier. Tina rushed forward, blocking her way and refusing to let her go.