Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 172

Sandra Taylor had half-expected to see him lose his temper—maybe even use it as a reason to kick Camila Davis out on the spot.

But instead, he turned around and demanded Daniel apologize.

She was stunned—and furious.

Jordan really had changed.

He wasn’t the man who’d always take her side, no matter what, shielding Daniel from any blame.

Daniel himself felt incredibly wronged.

That dumb girl was just fine—so why was Dad Jordan making him apologize?

He pouted, sulking, lips pushed out in a stubborn line.

Jordan Smith’s brow furrowed. “Daniel. Apologize. Now.”

Daniel flinched. Jordan sounded genuinely angry. After a long moment, he mumbled, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Camila Davis caught the half-hearted apology and the resentful glare Daniel shot her way. Her face hardened.

What a rotten little brat.

Even after being scolded, he didn’t show the slightest hint of regret.

He’d given Lillian trouble before, but this time he’d actually hurt her. Next time, who knows—maybe he’d grab a kitchen knife…

Unforgivable.

Camila’s voice was icy. “You know what? Keep your fake apology. Neither Lillian nor I want it. And what happened today? That isn’t something you can just brush off with a quick ‘sorry’.”

Her little girl had suffered so much—there was no way a careless apology could make up for that.

Camila was determined: Daniel was going to learn what consequences felt like.

Jordan Smith saw the fire in Camila’s eyes and started to ask, “So what do you want—?”

But before he could finish, Camila was already moving.

Before anyone could react, she strode over, scooped Daniel up—ignoring his kicking—and marched straight toward the side wing of the big country house.

“Camila Davis, what the hell are you doing?” Sandra Taylor shouted.

The whole Smith family and a gaggle of guests joined in, calls of “Camila!” echoing through the house.

But Camila didn’t even flinch.

The Smiths glared at her, voices rising.

Camila met their stares, cold and unblinking. “Why can’t I bring him here? That brat almost hurt the Smith family’s own blood tonight. Let him reflect on his actions in front of the ancestors! If no one else in this family will protect Lillian, then maybe the old folks on the walls will. As for you—standing here, defending a little tyrant while ignoring your own granddaughter’s suffering—do you really think you could face your ancestors with a straight face?”

The Smiths were silent, stung by her words.

Even Barbara and Mason Smith had nothing to say.

Sandra’s heart sank. Tears prickled at her eyes. “You’re out of line, Camila! Daniel’s only four years old! How could you be so cruel to a child?”

From the back, Sarah Brown scoffed. “Cruel? Really? Where was your outrage when your precious son pushed Lillian into a six-foot pit? Didn’t see you crying then. In fact, you seemed pretty pleased with yourself at the party—downing champagne and chatting up the guests. I guess as long as it’s not your own kid getting hurt, you just don’t care, do you?”

“That’s not true! I would never—” Sandra sputtered, but some of the guests were already whispering.

“She was smiling all through dinner, parading Daniel around like he was the guest of honor. For a second, I thought she was the real Mrs. Smith.”

“Wait, so that kid actually pushed Jordan’s daughter into a ditch?”

“He’s only four and already doing stuff like this? What’s he going to be like when he’s older—some kind of criminal?”

“Maybe he’s not actually evil—maybe his parents put him up to it…”

Sandra’s panic grew as the rumors spread. These idiots were just making things worse!