When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 435

Love that wasn't returned, yet couldn’t be let go, was always hardest on Jessie.

“I’m fine,” Jessie said, forcing a smile, but her eyes slid away from Nelly’s. “I’ve thought about it. If I can’t stop myself from caring about him, then maybe I should just stay by his side for now. Even if we’re only friends, I’m okay with that.”

Nelly hesitated, knowing she probably shouldn’t, but still couldn’t help herself. “But what if you keep falling for him? What if it still ends with nothing?”

Jessie’s voice went soft. “I don’t know. I’ll probably be really sad.”

Nelly’s heart ached. She almost blurted out that Teddy was engaged, but Jessie kept going. “Even if it hurts, I want to be with him a little longer. After we finish delivering these supplies, he’s getting transferred. After that… I don’t think we’ll ever talk again.”

Nelly pressed her lips together, swallowing her words. She knew. Feelings weren’t logical or easy to control. Who would knowingly walk into heartbreak? Only someone who couldn’t let go. As long as hope was alive, people kept moving forward, no matter the pain.

Because of Jessie, Nelly found herself acting a little colder toward Teddy.

The day after they arrived in Country C, the group drove out to the disaster area. After distributing the supplies, reporters interviewed Nelly and Brody. Technically, their job was done. But when Nelly stepped out of the van, she saw Teddy and Jessie changing into protective gear. They wanted to hand out supplies themselves and check on the people who’d been affected. Nelly didn’t even hesitate. She grabbed a suit and joined them.

Sure, she wanted Never’s reputation to shine, but the chance to actually help people for once mattered even more to her.

As soon as Nelly reached for the protective gear, Brody stopped her. “The disaster zone’s up in the mountains. The roads are rough, and the virus is dangerous. It’s not safe for you.”

Nelly glanced at him. Even here, Brody was perfectly put together in a suit, looking like he didn’t belong at all.

Jessie was sitting with a frail, white-haired old woman, her body small and bent, lost inside a baggy t-shirt. The woman was all alone now. When she saw Nelly and Jessie, girls about the age of the granddaughter she’d lost in the disaster, she clung to their hands and cried. Watching her break down, Jessie and Nelly couldn’t help but feel the pain too, so they stayed, comforting her as long as they could.

But eventually, it got too late, and they had to say goodbye. They left the old woman’s shelter with heavy hearts.

Jessie was the quietest, tears still streaming down her face. Nelly kept handing her tissues, doing her best to comfort her. Teddy looked like he wanted to say something but just walked quietly behind Jessie, worried.

The night was cold. After taking off the protective suits, Brody slipped off his jacket and draped it over Nelly’s shoulders. Her first instinct was to give it back, but she saw Brody shivering in just his short-sleeved shirt, goosebumps rising on his arms. Besides, her own heart felt so heavy she didn’t have the energy to protest. She let the jacket stay.

As they walked back toward the rescue vehicles, voices rose up nearby. Someone was arguing in the darkness.