Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 168

Camila Davis practically sprinted from the front yard, weaving around a garden gnome and nearly tripping over the hose as she raced toward the backyard.

“Lillian? Are you out here?” she called, her voice trembling but loud. “Mommy’s here, sweetheart! Say something if you hear me!”

The only response was the gentle rustling of the maple trees and the distant bark of the neighbor’s dog. A cold pit settled in Camila’s stomach, and she started searching more frantically, peering behind the barbecue, under the porch swing, and around the lilac bushes.

Jordan Smith jogged up behind her, trying to sound reassuring, “Lillian probably didn’t go far. She’s not the type.”

But just as the words left his mouth, Camila darted forward, stooping down to grab something half-hidden under a hydrangea bush—a tiny, pink leather Mary Jane.

Jordan’s face darkened instantly.

It was Lillian’s shoe. He’d helped put them on her before they’d come over tonight.

Camila hadn’t seen these before, but she could tell by the size—they were Lillian’s. Her heart thudded in dread.

She rounded on Jordan, voice sharp, “Is this Lillian’s?”

He hesitated for a split second. That was answer enough.

Panic clawed at Camila’s chest. Why would Lillian’s shoe be off, here, in the darkening garden? Something was very wrong.

She tore around, calling her daughter’s name again and again. No answer.

Just then, the Smith family showed up through the back gate—Sandra Taylor and her son Daniel among them.

The moment Camila saw Daniel, a suspicion flashed through her mind. She glared at him, eyes like daggers. “It was you, wasn’t it? Did you hide Lillian? Where is she?”

Everyone around her froze, faces creasing in shock and disapproval.

Barbara Jones, Daniel’s grandmother, stepped forward, her voice sharp. “Camila, what on earth are you saying? Daniel’s been with us this whole time! How dare you accuse him like that?”

She protectively pulled Daniel behind her.

But Camila was beyond cautious now, fear and frustration making her brash. She pushed past Barbara, closing the gap between her and Daniel, icy voice demanding, “Tell me the truth—was it you? Take me to her. Now!”

Daniel shrank back, clearly startled by the intensity.

Lucas Smith, Jordan’s brother, jumped in, “Camila, have you lost your mind? Your daughter goes missing and you start picking on someone else’s kid?”

Other members of the Smith family chimed in, voices rising.

“The kid’s barely six. How could you accuse him of something like that?”

“She’s always causing drama. The Smiths really drew the short straw with Camila.”

Jordan caught up, breathless. “Daniel meant the back door, not—”

But Camila’s scream cut him off, raw and desperate, “LILLIAN!!!”

Jordan froze.

At the bottom of the pit, maybe eight feet down, lay a tiny, unmoving shape.

Lillian.

Camila didn’t hesitate—she jumped in, ignoring the dirt and the height. The fear was so intense she could barely breathe.

She reached Lillian, who was curled into herself, not moving. The ground was soft, but the fall—Camila couldn’t even let herself imagine.

She knelt, barely daring to touch her daughter. “Lillian, baby, it’s mommy. I’m here now. Where does it hurt? Tell me, please.”

Her voice broke, thick with tears and terror.

To her relief, Lillian stirred—a small, shivering movement in her arms.

Camila checked her over, hands shaking uncontrollably, praying it was just the fright, not something worse.