When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 367

“I know you’re not him. I just… I couldn’t let it go. I’m sorry for putting you through all this today.”

“Dr. Morton…”

Teddy’s chest tightened, a dull ache spreading through him. For some reason, seeing Jessie so upset made him feel like he was falling apart inside.

“Jessie, maybe we should slow down and think about this. There could be some explanation. Maybe Teddy doesn’t know he has a twin brother?” Nelly jumped in, her voice gentle as she tried to comfort Jessie.

But Jessie only shook her head. “It’s not him. I’m sure.”

“At the bakery, I ordered the lemon cake on purpose,” she said softly.

“Casey was allergic to lemons. Even the smallest bite would give him a rash…”

She looked back at Teddy. “But you had it and nothing happened.”

If he really were Casey, allergies like that wouldn’t just disappear, right? So Teddy wasn’t Casey. All of this was just her not wanting to let go.

The room went quiet again.

Nelly glanced at Jessie’s tear-filled eyes, feeling a mess of emotions herself.

“So…” Jessie lowered her head, her shoulders trembling as she forced a small, sad smile. “You really aren’t him.”

“Nelly, thank you for today. I think I’m going to head home.”

After she said it, it was like all the energy left her. She picked up her things and walked toward the door.

“Jessie!”

Teddy reached out without thinking and caught her wrist. He didn’t even know what he was trying to do. He just couldn’t watch her walk away like that.

He took a breath, his voice soft and low. “I’m sorry I let you down.”

Teddy knew she was right. He sighed, the sound heavy in the quiet.

By the time Teddy drove Nelly and Carrie home, it was already getting dark.

Carrie was fast asleep in the back seat, completely wiped out by the day.

“Teddy, can I ask you something? It’s about Jonah,” Nelly said after a long pause.

Teddy glanced over. “About Jonah? Sure, what is it?”

Honestly, he thought, Jonah seemed way more interested in Nelly than the other way around. What could she possibly want to ask?

“Do you know what’s going on between him and Nancy?” Nelly asked, choosing her words carefully and watching his face for a reaction.

She’d been wanting to talk to Teddy about this for a while. Jonah hardly had any close friends. Other than Felix, Teddy was probably the only one who really knew anything about his past.