When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 418

“Yes, I’m finished.”

Nelly turned away, her tone cool and even.

Brody stood up, smoothing his jacket. “Great, just in time. I’ll have Alan pick us up. We’ll get Carrie first, then head to dinner. I’ve already made a reservation.”

Nelly wanted to say no. She only wanted to pick up Carrie. Going anywhere with Brody was already more than she cared for. Eating dinner together? Not a chance. Before she could even get the words out, her phone started to ring. It was Carrie.

“Carrie.”

Hearing her daughter’s sweet voice, Nelly finally let a small smile slip across her face.

On the other end, Carrie was full of excitement, her little voice bubbling as she asked which restaurant Nelly wanted for dinner. She even rattled off three choices.

Nelly glanced at Brody. He looked calm, but his eyes told another story, confident and knowing. Clearly, he’d already talked to Carrie and set up this family dinner behind her back.

Carrie had been looking forward to this all day. Nelly couldn’t say no to her daughter, so she just told Carrie to pick her favorite place and hung up.

“Don’t use our daughter to get to me again.” Nelly’s voice was cold as she spoke to Brody. He didn’t bother to reply. As they stepped out of the office, he caught up to her and grabbed her hand.

“Bro—”

“People are watching,” he whispered close to her ear before she could pull away.

Brody spoke up beside her, sitting straight and calm. He didn’t even need to look to know what was happening online.

Nelly locked her screen, feeling a little sour. It seemed Brody was enjoying all this. She didn’t answer, and he didn’t push it. The rest of the ride was quiet.

After they picked up Carrie, the mood in the car finally lightened. Even though she was just a little kid, Carrie had already heard about the news. Her teachers at kindergarten were talking about the Garland family and Ms. Watson.

Before today, teachers and parents at the school knew Carrie as the Garland family’s little princess, but most didn’t know much about her mom. Nelly had always kept to herself, so people only talked about what a great dad Carrie had. No one realized her mom was just as impressive.

Now that the news was out, everyone looked at things differently. Comparing what they’d seen of Nelly before to what they were reading online, it was obvious she was smart, low-key, and humble. A woman with real depth.