When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 87

Nelly?

Sheila blinked, wondering if she was seeing things. She jumped up and hurried after the woman, but before she could catch up, the figure had already slipped into the house.

At the entrance, security and attendants moved to block her path.

“Sorry, miss, you can’t go in,” one of them said.

Sheila snapped back to reality. She was almost certain she had just seen Nelly. If Nelly was here, why did she get to go in while Sheila was left outside?

“I’m looking for someone. The woman who just went in is my friend,” she said quickly.

The attendant glanced in the direction she pointed, then nodded politely. “Only guests who have been invited by the family are allowed inside. If she’s your friend, you’ll need to have her come out to bring you in.”

Sheila couldn’t wrap her head around it. How could Nelly be a guest of the Watson family? She was probably brought here by someone important, but Garland Inc. hadn’t even received an invitation. Who could Nelly possibly be with?

The questions kept piling up. Sheila scanned the crowd outside. Most guests had someone with them. Was it possible she was just mistaken? That girl did look strikingly like Nelly, but her style and demeanor were completely different.

Meanwhile, Nelly was wandering through the house looking for Jonah, but she couldn’t find him anywhere. Eventually, she pulled out her phone to call him.

Before she could even hit dial, she heard Jonah’s voice behind her. “Why did you come out here too?”

Nelly quickly tucked her phone away. Jonah had changed into another suit. The crystal chandelier overhead cast light across his sharp features, making him look even more handsome and put-together than usual.

But even with all that polished charm, there was a loneliness in his eyes he couldn’t hide.

“I…” Nelly hesitated, not sure how to start.

She was worried about him, but didn’t want her concern to make things weird.

“Dinner’s started. You were taking too long, so I came to check on you,” Jonah said.

“This is the Watson estate. Did you really think I’d get lost?” Nelly tried to tease, and Jonah let out a small, crooked smile. He turned and started walking toward the banquet hall. Nelly followed, quiet and thoughtful.

At the doors to the hall, Jonah paused.

“There’s something I didn’t tell you before,” he said. “Most of the Watsons don’t like me. When you’re here, it’s best if you keep your distance from me. And… maybe stop calling me your cousin.”

He didn’t look back. His voice was gentle, almost too calm, like he was thinking only of her.

But those words stung more than Nelly expected.

“Why should I stay away from you just because they don’t like you? You are my cousin. Why can’t I call you that?” Nelly shot back, her voice trembling with stubbornness.

Jonah’s shoulders stiffened, like he hadn’t expected her to push back.

“I just want to sit with you and have a real meal in this house. If the Watsons hate me for it, then I guess I don’t want their approval. And if Michael decides he hates me too… well, there’s nothing I can do about that.”

Nelly meant every word. She had already made up her mind before she came in. Maybe this first meeting with the Watsons would be a mess, but she wasn’t depending on them to claim what was hers.

Jonah stared at her for a long time, his throat tight. When Nelly realized she was still holding onto him, she let go in a hurry.

“Alright, I’ve said everything I wanted to say. Let’s go in,” she muttered, glancing down, a little embarrassed, then walked ahead into the hall.

Jonah watched her go, dazed for a second, then a gentle smile tugged at his lips. His eyes sparkled, deep and bright, like stars scattered over a dark sea.

When they got back to their seats, the table quieted down again.

To break the ice, Felix quickly suggested that Nelly propose a toast.

With Michael there, everything went smoothly. Even Britney, who had tried to pick a fight earlier, was polite, and her son seemed to have toned it down too.

At the end, Nelly returned to Michael’s side. He was still smiling, his eyes crinkling with warmth.

“You really do look alike.” Michael said suddenly.

Nelly didn’t catch the deeper meaning in his gaze. She just thought he was talking about how much she resembled Christopher. “Really? Uncle Felix always said I take after my mother more.”