Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1001

Barbara Jones had very little patience. After all her pleading, the child remained stubborn. Her frustration boiled over, and her voice sharpened. "Why won't you listen? He's your real father! Just because you call someone else 'daddy' a few times, you're going to disown him? After all, the Smith family raised you for five years! You... you're nothing but an ungrateful little brat!" As Barbara's words grew uglier, Jordan quickly intervened. "Mom, that's enough! Don't go too far!" Lillian looked at him with hurt in her eyes but said nothing. Barbara, however, saw no fault in her actions. "Stop spoiling her," she snapped at Jordan. "This child has been completely brainwashed, that's why she's so distant with us! If you ask me, we should just take her back by force. A few days with me, and I guarantee she'll be perfectly obedient..." Hearing this, Camila was filled with rage. That woman was relentless! When she couldn't sway the adults, she targeted the child. What did she plan to do to Lillian? Camila was about to get up and go get her daughter herself when, suddenly, the little girl spoke up. Her small voice was firm with defiance. "Mommy didn't brainwash me. I saw it myself. Lillian has eyes, and I can see who is good to me. Mommy treated Daddy before, but you were ungrateful. Mommy isn't a child. She has her own thoughts and things she wants to do. Whatever she decides, Lillian will support her, just like she always supports Lillian!" She would never listen to these people and try to persuade her mommy to do something she didn't want to do! "You!" Barbara was stunned that the child not only refused to listen but dared to talk back to her. She slammed her hand on the table in fury. "How dare you! Are you trying to lecture me?!" The impact was loud, and Lillian's small body flinched. But she didn't back down, looking stubbornly at Barbara. "Lillian is not wrong! You are! You were mean to my mommy back then, you hurt her, and you never even apologized. Why should she help you now? That doesn't make any sense!" Barbara glared at the child. "I'm the elder! Why should I apologize to her?!" Who did Camila Davis think she was, to expect her to grovel? Lillian's voice was childish, but her words were clear. "Even grown-ups have to say sorry when they do something wrong. It's basic manners. Grandma, you are very rude." "How dare you say I'm rude?" Barbara's face turned ashen. She was about to explode when Mason cut her off. "That's enough! Have you forgotten what I told you? Are you determined to ruin everything? Lillian is just a child! Why are you arguing with her? You're hopeless!" Scolded by her husband, Barbara's face was a mask of indignation. "I'm doing this for Jordan!" If they had been able to convince Camila, she wouldn't have had to resort to pressuring a child! But Jordan didn't appreciate her efforts. "Enough," he said disapprovingly. "Since Lillian doesn't want to, don't force her. She was right about one thing: Camila is not a child. Even if Lillian begged her, she wouldn't agree. Let's just drop this." Seeing his hopeless expression, Barbara bit her lip, unwilling to give up. Was she supposed to do nothing and just let his leg remain crippled? Her wonderful son was meant to be at the top of the world. How could his life be ruined like this? No, she would never allow it! She had to find a way to make Camila Davis willingly treat her son. Barbara didn't cause any more trouble, but the lunch was thoroughly unpleasant. After that conversation, the little girl lost her appetite. Mason, not wanting to alienate the child further, left with Barbara soon after the meal was over. Lillian sat in her chair, silent and unhappy, like a quiet little doll. Watching her, Jordan felt a pang of guilt. He tried to comfort her. "Lillian, let's forget what just happened. Daddy won't force you to do anything like that. Think about where you want to go this afternoon. I'll take you." Lillian didn't have to think. "Anywhere is fine," she replied softly. Jordan's heart was heavy as he looked at her. He could see how much his daughter had changed. She was now capable of defending her mother with clear logic and a firm tone, a world away from the timid child she had been in Harrisburg. The transformation amazed him, and it was a part of her life he had completely missed. He had ignored her before, and after they separated, he had cut off all contact. Only now did he realize that a child with autism could truly recover. In the places he couldn't see, Lillian had healed so well. Why had he never seen it before? Guilt gnawed at him. He genuinely wanted to make up for his absence, for the love and companionship he had failed to provide. After a moment of thought, he asked, "How about we go to the amusement park this afternoon?"