When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 85

Carrie was already gazing at Sheila, her words modest but her tone unmistakably proud.

Nelly stood off to the side, hand tightening around her shopping bag as she watched. After a moment, she just turned and walked away.

Carrie wanted Sheila to be her mom, and Sheila clearly wanted to be a good one. Nelly figured there was no point getting involved or making things awkward for herself.

She hurried down the hall, only realizing she’d gone the wrong way when she reached the end.

Posters for the family activity day were plastered all over the walls. Every classroom doorway was crowded with parents and kids signing up, everyone buzzing with excitement.

But outside one classroom, a little girl stood alone, looking out of place without a parent by her side.

Nelly recognized her instantly.

“April?”

She called the girl’s name, and April turned toward her.

There was something about April’s face, so much like Finn’s, that always pulled at Nelly’s heart.

Nelly crouched down and offered the shopping bag she’d just bought for Carrie. “Look, I have all these snacks and treats. Want some?”

April remembered Nelly, especially the cute toy she’d given her at the hospital.

“Thank you, but I can’t take them. Mommy says I’m not allowed to have snacks.”

April’s eyes lingered on the candy and snacks in the bag, and she licked her lips. She didn’t seem as wary of Nelly as before, her voice soft and quiet.

“It’s okay, it’s just a little treat. I’ll talk to your mom for you. Where is she anyway?”

Nelly glanced around but didn’t see anyone who looked like April’s mom.

“My mom’s not here,” April replied.

“She hasn’t come to pick you up yet?” Nelly asked.

April shook her head. “I stay at school. Mommy only comes on weekends.”

That surprised Nelly. Not many kids stayed overnight at kindergarten, and April seemed so sensetive.

She’d seen how worried Victoria was about April at the hospital and had assumed she was always nearby.

“It’s fine, you can have them. I won’t tell your mom, I promise.”

Nelly smiled and made a playful shushing motion. April didn’t refuse this time.

She was clearly tempted. April rarely got snacks like these, always watching other kids have them.

Nelly gently patted her cheek and started to leave, but April tugged at her sleeve.

“What’s up?”

April glanced at the registration area, hesitated, then let go and shook her head.

“Do you want to join the family day?” Nelly asked, picking up on her thoughts. “Can’t your mom do it with you?”

He felt bad about the Garland Inc. deal falling through. Remembering Sheila’s interest in meeting the famous Watson heiress, he reserved his plus one just for her.

Carlos wasn’t one of the main hosts, though, so they were seated at a table off to the side. If Sheila wanted to meet the heiress, she’d have to wait until the dinner was over.

She didn’t mind waiting. To make a good impression, she’d brought one of her own paintings and a custom jewelry set inspired by the artwork as a gift.

She remembered how easily Ms. Watson at the exhibition had helped Carrie out of trouble.

Ms. Watson was clearly into art and design, just like Sheila. With so much in common, Sheila figured they’d get along fine.

It was always smarter to make friends than enemies.

If she could get close to Ms. Watson, she’d not only be able to help Brody, but she’d have a real connection to the Watson family.

As night fell, the Watson estate was glittering with lights. The mansion was massive, easily a thousand square meters, and the garden was set up with long tables for guests. After Carlos brought Sheila in, he got busy mingling, leaving Sheila to wander and nibble on appetizers.

She looked out at the main house in the distance, its castle-like silhouette looming over everything. Even though she was used to luxury, the Watsons’ wealth was on another level.

Ms. Watson really was born lucky.

Inside the dining hall, the seats were already filled. There were five big tables. Every member of the Watson family was there, more than sixty people in all.

Felix and Nelly sat at the first table. The seat next to him, reserved for the family patriarch Michael, was still empty.

Across from Nelly sat Christopher’s younger brother and sister, her uncle and aunt, along with their kids.

Felix had already introduced everyone. They were polite enough, but the way they looked at Nelly wasn’t how family looked at each other. Their eyes were wary and full of judgment, as if she was a stranger who didn’t belong.