When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 279

Sheila and Carrie had just arrived at the hospital that afternoon. Brody’s fever had barely broken and he was still wiped out, only managing a quick conversation with Carrie alone.

Tina, not sparing a single thought for Brody’s health, was laser-focused on complaining about Nelly. She went on and on about how Nelly had left with another man the night before, right in front of everyone. To Tina, it wasn’t just humiliating for herself, it was a slap in the face for Brody and the entire Garland family.

Tina was all about drama, laying it on thick because she wanted Brody to cut Nelly off for good this time. She even brought up how diligently Sheila had been looking after Carrie lately. Even if Brody wasn’t exactly sweet to Sheila, Sheila’s care for Carrie was obviously genuine. How could Nelly ever measure up, especially when she always acted on impulse?

When Brody woke up and didn’t see Nelly there, the disappointment hit him hard. He knew Tina loved to exaggerate, and he didn’t take her words at face value, but that part about another man still stung. Did Nelly really hate him so much that she’d flirt with someone else right outside his hospital room?

Brody felt completely drained, both physically and emotionally. He couldn’t even find the energy to argue with Tina. So Tina told Alan to go home and rest, then brought in her own people to stand guard outside the room. If Nelly looked down on the Garland family, then fine, she could just stay away from Brody from now on. For the next few days, Sheila would keep Brody company, and maybe that would give them a chance to grow closer.

“I just came back from the brink of death, and you’re already in such a rush to get rid of me?” Brody ignored Sheila completely. His attention was locked on Nelly, the woman who had crushed his pride and dignity.

Brody’s sudden apparence caught Nelly off guard. He looked awful, his face pale and bloodless. Every word seemed to take all his strength, and the veins in his neck stood out in sharp relief, like they might burst. She couldn’t help but think back to the time in the casino, when he had thrown himself in front of her and taken a bullet without hesitation.

“Selfish and cold-blooded?” Nelly’s eyes were icy as she looked at Tina. “The Garland family may have helped me once, but I paid that debt back a long time ago. Ever since I was able to work part-time, I returned every cent you spent on my tuition. And don’t forget, all those years I stayed with you, I was treated like a maid. Mrs. Garland, have you really forgotten how I used to wait on you? Of course you haven’t. You still look down on me even now.”

“When you decided to sponsor me, it wasn’t out of kindness. You just wanted the tax breaks for being a charitable company. Still, I treated all of you as my benefactors. Garland Inc. is where it is today because I helped Brody, gave everything I had to win clients and fight for the business…”

Nelly let it all out, her words leaving Tina speechless. But she wasn’t finished yet.