When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 269

Now that Ben was away, the Brown family had no one left to carry on their name. Their house felt empty, their influence fading more each day. Nicholas was the only one quietly looking after Sandy’s parents and grandparents, making sure they had what they needed.

“Yeah,” Nicholas said, his tone calm as he looked at Nelly and Jonah.

It was like a knot in his chest, one he’d carried for years, had finally loosened just a little.

Ben had blamed him for what happened to Sandy. Nicholas had always worried Ben might try to get back at him, but all this time, his secret had stayed safe. Deep down, Nicholas knew Ben hadn’t really left because of him, but that didn’t stop the years of restless nights.

“One more thing. Leave Nelly out of this.”

Nicholas gave a short, almost mocking smile. “What’s this? Feeling protective all of a sudden?”

“I’m not as emotional as you or my sister. But Nelly has someone powerful behind her, someone you don’t want to mess with. I’m warning you because of my sister, not because I care about Nelly.”

Ben hung up right after, leaving Nicholas staring at the phone. The dial tone droned on for a while before he finally set it down.

The study was quiet. Nicholas’s hand stayed on the phone, his knuckles pale, his back tense and rigid as he faced away from Nelly and Jonah.

Nelly glanced at Jonah, who gave her a tiny shake of his head, telling her to wait and see what would happen.

At last, Nicholas turned around. The anger was gone from his face, replaced by something heavier and more tired.

“You win,” he said, his voice softer than before. “About our agreement…”

Nelly held her breath.

“I’ll keep my promise. I’ll step aside, but only until your brand officially launches.”

Nicholas went to his desk, pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, and wrote a quick agreement.

Nelly skimmed what he’d written, a smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you, Uncle Nicholas. That’s very straightforward.”

Nicholas didn’t look happy about it, but he still liked the compliment. “I always keep my word. Since you’ve held up your end, I’m not about to break mine.”

Jonah, standing close by, gave a small, knowing smile. “Uncle Nicholas, you have real integrity. It’s impressive.”

Nicholas fixed his sharp eyes on Jonah. “Seems Felix taught you well.”

“Thank you. My father would be glad to hear you say that,” Jonah replied, bowing slightly. He was respectful, but there wasn’t a hint of fear.

Nicholas let out a short huff. Jonah’s quick tongue was grating, but Nicholas wasn’t interested in arguing anymore.

He pressed the call button on his desk, and the butler entered right away.

“See them out.”

Just like that, it was over.

Nelly folded up the written agreement and tucked it away. She nodded at Nicholas one more time, then left the study with Jonah.

They had just reached the doorway when a small figure came running from down the hall.

Nelly was from the Watson family too, and they’d argued over April before. If Nicholas found out about that, who knew what kind of trouble she and her son might get into?

So, before April could see Nelly, Victoria acted fast and carried her away.

“Mom…” April saw the look on Victoria’s face and tried to make her happy, but Victoria just pushed her away.

“Are you proud of yourself, having your mother here waiting on you?” Victoria’s voice was cold. Seeing April’s innocent face made her even more upset. Like father, like daughter, she thought. Both of them so fake, it was sickening.

“No, Mom… I…” April didn’t know what to say. She was scared of Victoria, but she also loved her.

“April!” Nicholas’s voice called from behind.

He’d just left the study when someone told him Victoria had taken April. He rushed over, annoyed.

Nicholas had made it clear to Victoria that she wasn’t allowed to be with April unless April wanted to see her, and only if Nicholas was there too.

“Who told you you could touch April?”

He held April close, like she was something precious, and his eyes were icy as he glared at Victoria. His voice was so cold it could cut.

Victoria’s face went pale. She wanted to argue, but when she thought of her son, she bit back her words. “She was running around. I was just worried she’d get hurt. I only brought her back to help.”

April spoke up quietly. “I was running around… Dad, don’t be mad at Mom.”