When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 349

Britney was never the type to just sit back and let things happen. That’s why her absence today felt so off.

“Maybe Rudy’s gone missing on purpose,” Nelly said, thinking out loud.

Nancy’s anxiety spiked. “But what if they keep hiding? Doesn’t that mean this whole thing just… fizzles out?”

“It might,” Nelly admitted, her voice steady after everything she’d been through. “But honestly, if they stay out of the picture, that’s not bad for us. At least no one’s messing with our plans.”

Nancy hesitated, realizing Nelly had a point.

“We’ll just deal with whatever comes next. No use worrying too much now,” Nelly said, giving Nancy’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Nancy still felt jittery. Ever since that mess with Rudy, she’d been on edge, like she couldn’t quite shake off the shadows it left behind.

“Today…” Nancy started, but the words stuck in her throat. She pressed her lips together and fell silent.

“If you’ve got something to say, just say it,” Nelly encouraged, her gaze warm and understanding. She could see the worry written all over Nancy’s face.

“It’s nothing. Really.”

Nelly didn’t push. She already knew what Nancy wasn’t saying.

It wasn’t just Britney who’d been avoiding them today. Jonah was too.

Nancy knew her rescue wasn’t just luck, but she’d never dared to ask Nelly if it was really Jonah who’d helped her. Deep down, she was scared of the answer, even though there really wasn’t anyone else it could have been.

But so what if Jonah had saved her? It was probably only because of Nelly and Felix, nothing more.

She’d been thinking about bringing Carrie to stay with her as soon as work calmed down, but hadn’t expected her daughter to show up on her own.

It felt like they’d both been waiting for this moment.

“I’m not mad anymore! I just want you!” Carrie shook her head so hard her hair bounced, looking extra cute.

“And I only want you yoo.” Nelly was so moved, she planted two smacking kisses on Carrie’s soft cheeks.

Just as she was about to head inside with her daughter, she noticed someone standing by the door.

Brody was there, out of his usual suit and dressed in comfortable, expensive-looking casual clothes. His arms were full with two big bags of groceries.

“Mommy! Daddy brought me to see you. I want to eat your food, and Daddy bought lots of yummy things!” Carrie chirped, her voice bubbling with excitement, though she kept glancing up at Nelly to see how she’d react.