Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 140

Larry Adams was always up for anything. “Alright then, looks like I’m in. Over the next few days, just swing by the school when you have time, and we’ll rehearse together!”

“Sounds good!” Camila Davis agreed easily.

Once they set things up, Camila started bringing her little one, Lillian, to school for rehearsals every morning after drop-off.

This time, the play was “Little Red Riding Hood.” Camila was cast as Grandma, and Larry would play the Big Bad Wolf.

The wolf needed a headpiece, but the school had all the costumes, props, and scripts ready to go.

At first, Camila worried Lillian might get stage fright or, worse, freeze up or forget her lines halfway through. Maybe she’d get too anxious to focus.

But to her surprise, her little girl was totally into it.

Even more shocking: Lillian memorized her lines after just two run-throughs. Sure, she still had that sweet, little-kid voice, but she nailed it.

Larry couldn’t help but praise her. “This kid’s got real talent!”

Camila didn’t deny it—she’d seen it herself. Whether it was painting, music, or now acting, Lillian picked up everything so quickly it sometimes left Camila speechless.

Before they knew it, Friday rolled around.

That morning, the school was buzzing with excitement. Tons of parents were there, hand-in-hand with their kids, ready for the big show.

Camila worried that seeing so many families together might make Lillian sad, but she needn’t have feared. The room was filled with so much energy, Lillian was completely distracted.

Larry, as the event MC, made sure to get all the kids involved, leading singalongs and silly games. Lillian was having too much fun to notice whether her own dad was there or not.

She was so hyped, she even jumped up and cheered a few times.

Their performance was slotted for later, so during intermission, Camila hurried to grab Lillian’s water bottle.

Just then, as Lillian looked down to take a sip, the big screen at the front of the gym started showing a montage of school events from around the district.

Suddenly, a scene from Harrisburg’s prestigious private school popped up. There was Jordan Smith, dressed to the nines in a tailored suit, standing onstage with Sandra Taylor and her son, Daniel, holding a shining trophy.

The teacher’s voice boomed, “Daniel did an outstanding job! Mr. Smith, do you have anything to say to your son?”

Jordan smiled into the camera, calm and proud. “Couldn’t be prouder.”

Camila’s face went pale—she quickly stepped in front of Lillian to block her view.

Lillian, hearing her dad’s voice, looked up in confusion, glancing around the room.

Larry Adams recognized Jordan, too, and quickly switched off the slideshow. He glanced at Camila’s back, noting her shaking shoulders.

“Oh my gosh, look at those rosy cheeks! She is Little Red Riding Hood!”

“My heart is melting! I want to take her home!”

“Watch out, sweetheart! There’s a Big Bad Wolf in those woods—maybe you should go home with Camila instead!”

Parents were practically swooning in their seats. The teacher laughed, “Alright, folks, I know you love Little Red, but let’s let her finish the show! Maybe afterwards, she’ll take a picture with you. And honestly, the way you’re acting, you’re more like the Big Bad Wolf yourselves!”

With some good-natured laughter, the crowd settled down.

Lillian dove right into her part, unfazed by the earlier incident. Her memory was sharp, and she was so caught up in the story, nothing could distract her.

She crossed the forest and met the Big Bad Wolf…

Backstage, Camila was still trying to shake her bad mood. But when the wolf arrived at Grandma’s house, something seemed… off.

Was the wolf always this tall? Was it just the headpiece? She couldn’t put her finger on it.

But she didn’t dwell—she had her own cue. The wolf, pretending to be Little Red, tricked Grandma into opening the door, and gobbled her up. Their scene was short, with little interaction.

And the show went on…