When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 99

Nelly paused for a moment, then placed an egg into Carrie's bowl.

Carrie dug in, looking pretty pleased with herself. But then, Nelly pushed her own bowl over with a quiet look.

“I want some milk,” she said, eyeing the jar next to Carrie.

Carrie blinked, a little surprised. Nelly never asked her for anything, ever.

Marian noticed and hurried over to help, but Nelly waved her off and turned to Carrie instead. “I served you breakfast. Can't you get Mommy some milk?”

Her voice was soft, but Carrie’s mood instantly soured. Was this some kind of trade now? Nelly wasn’t just doing things for her anymore.

But Nelly sounded so reasonable, Carrie couldn’t argue. She handed Nelly a glass of milk.

Nelly beamed. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Carrie just stared at her, not saying a word.

The rest of breakfast, Carrie ate in a sulk, making as much noise as she could.

Nelly acted like she didn’t even notice. When Carrie knocked over her cup, it’s Marian who came over to clean up, while Nelly simply finished her meal.

When everyone was almost done, Nelly wiped her mouth and got ready to leave the table.

Carrie shot her a cold look. “Are you picking me up tonight?”

“Tonight? Is something going on?”

Nelly already knew Sheila and Alan had been picking up Carrie lately. Still, hearing Carrie ask, she couldn’t help feeling a little hopeful.

“It’s nothing. I just saw you were back, so I thought I’d ask.”

Carrie cleared her throat, glancing away. “Also, I haven’t done my calligraphy in a while. If you want me to, I guess I could practice a little tonight.”

Usually, when Nelly picked her up, she’d sit with Carrie, work on some hobbies together, nothing too long or forced.

But if Nelly wanted her to stick with something that took real effort, Carrie would treat it like a chore and just ignored.

No one likes being pushed every day. Nelly didn’t even have any special skills herself, yet she always wanted Carrie to learn everything.

Ms. Olson never made her practice painting daily. She just cared if Carrie was happy.

Still, Carrie had to admit, after Nelly left, she kind of missed those evenings... the feeling of Nelly sitting beside her while she practiced.

And yesterday, when she showed off her calligraphy in class, she realized how out of practice she was.

“Tonight...” Nelly hesitated, and Carrie’s face instantly fell.

“If you can’t, then whatever. Ms. Olson has plans tonight, so I finally have some time,” she said, her voice icy.

When Brody heard about Carrie’s latest tantrum, he didn’t have any patience left.

He told Alan to take Carrie to Tina’s house instead.

Tina was strict. There were more rules, and Carrie wouldn't get away with anything.

If everyone else was going to spoil her, Brody figured it was time to let someone who could handle her take over.

The second Carrie realized her dad wanted to send her away too, she broke down, clinging to Sheila and refusing to leave.

Sheila tried to plead her case. “Brody, Carrie had her reasons today. Even if she made a mistake, can’t you wait until she’s calmed down?”

“Letting her act out only encourages her. She’s my daughter. I know what she needs.”

Brody’s answer left Sheila speechless.

He didn’t give in, no matter how much Carrie cried. He nodded to Alan, and Carrie was carried out the door.

Once Carrie was gone, Brody turned to Sheila. “It’s late. You should go home.”

“For now, just stick to teaching her lessons. She needs time on her own to think about things.”

Sheila could hear the distance in his voice and called out after him, not ready to let things end like that.