When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 98

It was probably the medication Jessie gave her. Nelly slept the whole way home. Brody didn’t drive her to Lakeview Estate. Instead, he took her straight to his own place. By the time they got there, it was already three in the morning.

Marian heard the noise and came to open the door. When she saw Brody carrying Nelly, she was instantly wide awake. Before she could say a single word, Brody spoke up, his voice brisk. “Get me some heating pads.” He glanced at Nelly’s hands and feet. They were icy cold.

“Yes, sir… but her bed isn’t made. I’ll go get it ready—”

“No need. She’s sleeping in my room.” Brody didn’t wait for a response. He was already heading upstairs, Nelly secure in his arms.

Brody was always particular about his space. No one else was ever allowed in his room, not even Carrie. On the rare occasion she managed to convince him to let her sleep there, he’d have all the bedding changed the next day. Marian was so surprised, she stood frozen for a second before hurrying off to do as she was told.

Brody tucked Nelly into his bed, careful and gentle, then went to the bathroom for a shower. He turned the water as cold as it would go and stood there, eyes closed, letting the chill cut through him.

He couldn’t get the images out of his head. Nelly in the hotel stairwell, her eyes full of desperate longing, her hands trembling as she reached for him. The way she’d rather dig her nails into her own skin than let him touch her. Every look, every gesture from her tonight replayed in his mind, stirring up feelings he’d always kept under control.

Marian made up a bed in the study for Brody, but he never left his room. He stood by the window, lost in thought, and before he knew it, morning had come.

Nelly slept soundly, not waking until Marian knocked softly on the door. She sat up abruptly, her mind racing back to the night before. It took her a moment to realize where she was. Brody’s room. The space felt both familiar and strange.

“Ma’am, are you awake? Would you like to come down for breakfast? Carrie’s waiting for you.” Marian’s voice floated in from the hallway. When she didn’t get a reply, she started to leave, but Nelly opened the door just in time.

“How did I end up here?” Nelly asked, a little dazed.

Marian looked surprised. “Mr. Garland carried you home last night. You don’t remember?”

Nelly frowned, trying to recall. The last thing she remembered clearly was being at the hotel with Brody. They almost… but everything after that was blank. If she couldn’t remember, then probably nothing happened. At least, she hoped so.

She looked down at her hands. The scratches on her skin had been cleaned, covered with ointment and a neat bandage.

Carrie’s face fell, her mood going downhill in an instant. “When you’re not here, Ms. Olson wakes me up,” she said quietly, a little stiff.

Nelly’s smile froze. Her hand lingered on Carrie’s cheek for a second before she let go. Carrie turned and headed down the rest of the stairs without looking back. Her mom hadn’t come to see her in days. And now, even after Carrie greeted her first, she had to go and say something like that. Did her mom really think she couldn’t manage without her?

Carrie walked into the dining room and slid into her seat. The chair beside her—the one that used to be Nelly’s—was already pulled out, waiting. Marian quickly stepped in, trying to smooth things over. “Don’t take it to heart, ma’am. Carrie was so happy this morning. She said she wanted to have breakfast with you and asked me to wake you up.”

Nelly knew Carrie was just trying to get a reaction out of her by mentioning Ms. Olson. She must have been a lousy mom to end up on the receiving end of her daughter’s silent sulking. Still, this was her child, and she only got to see her so rarely. Pushing her feelings aside, Nelly took the seat next to Carrie and joined her for breakfast.

Carrie brightened as soon as her mother sat down. She waited, hoping Nelly would say something, but Nelly just ate in silence. Carrie grew impatient. She shoved her bowl across the table toward her mother. “I want some eggs.”

The eggs were right next to her, but Carrie wanted Nelly to serve her, just like she used to, like nothing had changed between them.