When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 57

“Is that so?”

Nelly felt a heaviness in her chest at the mention of her mother. They hadn’t spent much time together. Now, all she had were a few faded photos, and her mother’s face was already slipping from her memory.

“It’s true. Your mother was a real beauty. Your father, well, his whole life revolved around work, but no one ever got to him like she did.”

“Got to him? If he really cared, he wouldn’t have left us.” Nelly’s voice was calm, but Jonah noticed the tears glimmering in her eyes.

“I know you blame your father. He made mistakes. But you’re still his daughter. He’s gone now. Maybe it’s time to let it all go,” Felix said with a tired sigh.

To Nelly, his words stung. “Let it go? Uncle Felix, you’ve got it wrong. I’m not here to make peace or have some family reunion. I’m here for my inheritance. That’s what he owed my mother and me, and I’m taking what’s mine.”

Her voice was cold, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. Watching her, Jonah just felt his heart twist.

“Let’s eat, Father,” Jonah said, cutting Felix off.

He pressed the service bell, and the waiter brought their food. Still, the mood didn’t lighten. Nelly sat at the table, stiff and tense. Whenever the past came up, her emotions ran wild, and she couldn’t even talk to Felix like a normal person. She kept seeing him as Christopher, the father she’d hated and missed, all tangled together.

“The desserts here are really good,” Jonah said, trying to break the tension.

Nelly lowered her gaze as Jonah slid a plate of pastries toward her.

Felix looked at Jonah. Jonah kept his eyes down, pushing his food around.

After a moment, Jonah wiped his mouth and spoke. “What my father means is... getting divorced now could make things harder for you. The Watson family is about to welcome back their long-lost daughter. You need a perfect image.”

Nelly set her spoon down. “This is my business. I’ll figure it out.”

Felix was calm, unhurried. “From what I hear, you and Brody have a prenup. If that ever came out, people in the Watson family would talk. Maybe you don’t care about them, or about gossip, but if you want your inheritance, you need to think about these things.”

His words were gentle, almost soft, but underneath she could feel all the calculations. He wasn’t here for her feelings. Not really.