When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 271

Before she could finish her sentence, she covered her face and broke down, tears streaming silently.

Nicholas’s face softened for a split second, but the coldness returned almost instantly. “I don’t want to talk about the past,” he said flatly.

“Just remember this. If April ever gets hurt, even a little, I won’t let it slide.”

He turned to leave, but Victoria called out to him, her voice trembling. “What about my son? If we can’t find a kidney donor soon, he… he only has about six months left…”

“I already have people searching,” Nicholas cut her off, his voice void of any warmth. “If nothing turns up, then that’s just his fate.” Without another word, he walked away, not looking back.

Outside, the night was thick and heavy, not a glimmer of light anywhere.

Nicholas wasn’t tired at all. He stood alone in the courtyard for what felt like forever, letting the cold seep into his bones before finally heading back inside.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a text from Sheila.

She had to fly back home urgently, and Nicholas had arranged a private jet for her. Now she was on the plane, sending a message to thank him.

He was feeling restless and lost, but seeing Sheila’s text made something flicker in his eyes, like he’d just remembered something important.

…

After Nelly and Jonah left Nicholas’s villa, the tension that had been wrapping around them finally loosened.

As the car blended into the city’s sea of neon lights, Nelly slumped against her seat, exhaustion washing over her in waves.

She closed her eyes, barely noticing.

“Tired?” Jonah’s voice was soft, almost featherlight in the quiet car.

Nelly mumbled something, still replaying everything that had happened at Nicholas’s place.

“That call earlier was Ben, wasn’t it?”

Jonah nodded. “Yeah.”

“Really?” Nelly whispered. “You didn’t look like you were bluffing. I actually thought… you had him right where you wanted him…”

Jonah didn’t answer right away. As Nelly drifted off, she felt a warm hand gently brushing her hair away from her forehead, tucking it behind her ear.

His touch was so gentle, she slipped easily into sleep.

Jonah watched her breathing slow and deepen, then whispered, almost to himself, “As long as I’m here, no one’s going to hurt you again.”

The car glided smoothly through the night.

When they reached Nelly’s apartment building, she was still fast asleep.

Jonah didn’t wake her. He just sat there quietly, watching her.

Moonlight spilled through the window, washing over her face, softening the lines of exhaustion and giving her a peaceful, almost angelic beauty.