Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 167

She’d honestly thought tonight she could stand next to Daniel—finally, as the hostess—right there by his side.

But then... this little brat had to ruin everything. Again.

A flash of cold anger crossed her eyes.

Next to her, Daniel looked even less pleased.

What the heck? Why did this dumb kid get to be the one Dad Jordan carried?

Jordan Miller didn’t seem to notice the tension. He just said, “It’s Dad’s birthday today, so I brought her to wish Mr. Williams a happy one.”

For once, he actually softened a little as he looked down at the girl in his arms. “Ellie, why don’t you wish Mr. Williams a happy birthday?”

Ellie, sweet as ever, piped up in her tiny voice, “Happy birthday, Mr. Williams!”

Mr. Williams didn’t particularly care for her, but on his birthday, he wasn’t about to rain on a kid’s parade.

He nodded and replied, “Good girl.”

Then, he handed her a little red envelope—well, in this case, a birthday card with money tucked inside.

Ellie blinked, hesitating. Instead of grabbing it, she glanced at Jordan.

Jordan immediately took it for her, stuffed it into her hand, and said, “Hold onto that, Ellie. That’s from Mr. Williams just for you.”

She nodded seriously, clutching it tight.

Once the birthday wishes were over, the party rolled on.

Jordan kept Ellie close all evening, introducing her around to the other guests.

And when it came time to cut the birthday cake—maybe to make up for missing her last birthday, or maybe for another reason—he handed her the very first slice.

Daniel was fuming.

On his birthday, Dad Jordan always gave him the first piece of cake. Tonight, Dad didn’t even look his way!

He shot a jealous glare at Ellie, his eyes full of resentment.

Partway through the night, Jordan got called away for a work call. He asked Barbara Jones to keep an eye on Ellie.

But Barbara was busy chatting with the other ladies. She barely had time to toss Ellie onto a couch in the lounge area. “Wait here for your dad,” she said, and then hurried back to her friends.

Daniel saw his chance. He strolled over, grinning. “Hey, Ellie, want to go play?”

Ellie shook her head. “Mommy said I’m not supposed to play with you.”

This kid was nothing but trouble!

Daniel’s eyes darkened. He tried coaxing her, “But I just saw your puppy outside in the backyard.”

Ellie looked up at him, skeptical. “Really?”

“Yeah, really,” he insisted. “If you don’t believe me, come see for yourself!”

But Ellie was smart too. She frowned. “No, Lightning stayed at home. Daddy didn’t bring him, and Mommy’s not here. So Lightning can’t be here!”

Jordan scowled. “I’ve got everyone searching already! The house isn’t that big. We’ll find her soon.”

Before he could finish, Sandra Taylor hurried out from the party. “Jordan, I heard you’re looking for Ellie—”

She stopped short when she saw Camila on the porch.

Camila’s gut twisted with dread. She remembered seeing Daniel a moment ago, looking way too smug, and suddenly a terrible suspicion hit her.

She rounded on Jordan. “Did you leave Ellie alone with Daniel again?”

Jordan shook his head, “No—” But Camila didn’t wait for an answer.

Her fear spiked. Maybe it was mother’s intuition, but she bolted straight for the backyard.

Jordan hurried after her.

With all the commotion, several people from inside the party started to notice.

Barbara and her husband, along with some of the extended Miller family, came out to see what was going on.

A couple of other guests wandered over too.

“What’s happening?”

“Did someone lose a kid?”

---