When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 46

Carrie just couldn’t wrap her head around it. No matter how upset she got, she always came home in the end. So why was it that her mom could just not come home at all?

Before Brody got back, Carrie had turned to Marian with the same question. Why hadn’t Mom been home these past few days?

Marian remembered Brody’s warning. She wasn’t supposed to mention the divorce or that Nelly had moved out. All she could do was dodge the question, mumbling something about how she had just been really busy lately.

Carrie wasn’t fooled for a second. She knew it was just an excuse.

Brody saw the tears welling up in his daughter’s eyes, and he started to feel bad for her.

“There are going to be a lot of people at this event. It’ll probably go on for a while, and you might get a little bored,” he said gently.

“It’s okay! I promise I’ll behave!” Carrie perked up the moment she caught a hint of hesitation in his voice. She dashed to the entryway to put on her shoes.

So Brody gave in and took her along.

When Sheila saw Carrie walking in, she paused for just a moment, then her eyes lit up with a smile.

“Ms. Olson!”

“Carrie, you’re here too! That’s great. With you around tonight, I know everything will turn out just fine.”

Carrie slipped her arm through Sheila’s, and all those heavy feelings seemed to melt away.

All she wanted was her mom and a happy family. Even if Nelly didn’t want her anymore, maybe that would still be enough.

By eight o’clock that night, the street outside the exhibition hall was packed with high-end cars, and reporters were everywhere.

A Rolls-Royce rolled up through the crowd, cameras flashing in every direction. The buzz instantly reached a fever pitch.

“Did you hear? There’s a huge mystery guest tonight!”

“Who is it? I heard it’s some top-tier socialite, Miss X or something!”

“I got it from someone who knows—this Miss X is actually Christopher Watson’s only daughter!”

“Word is, she’s Christopher’s illegitimate daughter. The Watsons never said a word about her before. Their family is super strict, so she probably can’t just show up in public whenever she wants.”

“Families like that always have a million rules…”

The gossip followed Nelly as she was led straight inside, where the event organizers personally escorted her to the best seat in the house.

Her spot was a private box at the front of the second floor, with a perfect view of the stage below. The seats were right under the spotlights, front and center, with the best view of everything.

Nelly stepped into the box. The table was already set with pastries and tea.

One of the staff bowed politely. “Ms. Watson, if you need anything at all, please let us know. The auction will start in ten minutes. We hope you enjoy your evening.”

Nelly gave a gentle smile. “Thank you.”

Once the staff left, her bodyguards slipped out too. A moment later, Jonah and Gina came in.