When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 432

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Nelly mumbled, eyes fixed on the floor.

Jonah studied her, his voice gentle. “Did you need something from me?”

“That’s my line.” Nelly still didn’t look up. “Are you avoiding me for a reason?”

He hesitated, his words soft. “I just... I don’t want to weigh you down. But I’ve told you before, if you ever need me, I’ll always be here.”

She met his gaze, her tone steady. “But acting like this, Jonah, it puts even more pressure on me.”

A heavy silence settled between them. When Nelly finally lifted her eyes, something had shifted. The truth that hovered in the air had always been there, just waiting for one of them to reach for it.

She should have seen it sooner. It looked like she’d been the one to pull away for Nancy’s sake, but really, Jonah had been guiding it all along. He didn’t want her to see his real feelings, even if it meant letting her misunderstand him. Still, he was always there, quietly supporting her from behind the scenes.

Nancy had called out Jonah’s feelings before, but Nelly didn’t want to believe it. Maybe it was just that she was scared. If she admitted it was true, she had no idea how she’d face her own heart, or if she’d ever be able to fix things between them.

“Nancy says you like me,” Nelly said quietly, tilting her head away.

Jonah pressed his lips together, silent for a long moment. The quiet stretched until Nelly couldn’t take it anymore and turned to leave.

He spoke up, stopping her. “Is that what Nancy said, or... do you think so too? You don’t have to answer, but... I hope we can still be family after this.”

Nelly’s thoughts started spinning. She wanted to escape.

For a few seconds, her mind went blank. She pushed Jonah away, and he didn’t try to stop her. Still, her feet wouldn’t let her leave.

“If you like me, why’d you want me to be with Brody?”

Jonah’s answer was honest. “Because I thought you’d never really let him go. If you’re happy, I’d do anything for you. Even if it means sending you back to someone else.”

But that was only part of the truth. Deep down, his struggle was as real as hers. The difference was, Nelly had already fallen in love once and risked everything. For Jonah, this was the first time he’d ever loved someone.

He never wanted to be so logical about it.

Nelly glanced back at him, her heart aching. The truth was, Jonah was just as impossible to move on from. He was the family who showed up when she had nothing left, the friend who stuck by her side no matter what, the one person who made her feel safe enough to be herself.