When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 374

“Brody…” Sheila’s voice wavered, thick with reluctance. She glanced at Nelly, then forced herself to put on a brave face. “Nelly, please don’t get the wrong idea. Honestly, I hope you and Brody can work things out. Don’t let me be the reason—”

Nelly cut her off, her lips curling into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Perfect. If you leave, we’ll be just fine.”

Sheila’s tears froze in her eyes, nowhere to go. Brody stepped in, his tone gentle but firm. “It’s late, Sheila. You should head home.”

Sheila bit her lip, clearly unwilling, but she knew that staying would only make things worse for herself. She nodded, looking as pitiful as she could, and wiped her eyes with her hand. She walked away, turning back every few steps with a sorrowful look.

But the second she stepped out of the room, her act disappeared. Sheila straightened her back, rubbing the cheek where Nelly had slapped her. The vulnerability in her eyes hardened into something cold and sharp.

Nelly really had some nerve. One day, she’d make Nelly pay for this humiliation.

As Sheila started down the stairs, Marian appeared with two bodyguards, blocking her path.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Sheila’s eyes flashed with surprise and anger.

“We’re just following Mrs. Garland’s instructions. She wants you to wait here for the police.” Marian’s usual kindness was still in her smile, but her words left no room for argument.

Sheila took a few steps back, then spun around, ready to rush back to Brody’s room. The bodyguards grabbed her arms before she got far.

She twisted in their grip, trying to glare Marian down. “Are you crazy? You’re just the help. Brody’s the real master here. Do you actually believe you should be listening to Nelly?”

Now Brody just felt tired, body and soul. He didn’t have the energy to argue. He looked over the fresh terms Nelly was adding, and a strange laugh bubbled up in his chest.

When they got married, he was the one insisting their relationship stay a secret. Now, at the end, she was the one demanding they keep it quiet. The whole thing was almost funny, in a sad way.

“Nelly, you’re not getting custody of our daughter,” Brody said, pressing the agreement flat on the desk. His voice was cold and steady.

“Alright. Let’s let Carrie choose for herself. If she picks you, I won’t fight it,” Nelly replied, giving a little ground. It wasn’t for Brody’s sake. She just wanted Carrie to have a say.

“But if you do get custody,” she continued, “we need to add something else. You can never marry Sheila. And if you want to remarry, you have to wait until Carrie is an adult. No one else moves into this house before then. Tina gets no say over Carrie. I’ll choose our daughter’s guardians and teachers.”