Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 203

It was only then that Camila realized—back in the chaos, it was Dennis Williams who’d protected her.

He hadn’t just yanked her out of harm’s way; he’d thrown his own arm in front of the blazing grill.

Now, the back of Dennis’s hand—that same hand that always wore a simple leather bracelet—was angry red from the burn, standing out starkly against his pale skin.

“You’re hurt?”

Camila reacted on pure instinct, grabbing his wrist before he could pull away.

Dennis blinked, a little surprised, and replied automatically, “Just a scratch. It’s nothing.”

Camila, of course, didn’t see it that way.

That kind of burn, already so red, would definitely blister if left untreated. And with her training, there was no way she could just ignore it.

Without a second thought, she tugged Dennis behind her. “Come with me!”

Dennis had no choice but to follow, his handsome brow arching in amusement. His deep-set eyes lingered on where she clutched his wrist, the look in them unreadable.

Camila didn’t notice at all. Once in the kitchen, she flipped on the faucet and guided his hand under a stream of cold water. Her sharp eyes focused on the burn.

It wasn’t huge, but the top layer of skin was clearly scorched.

“Keep it under the water for a few minutes,” she said, not looking up. “I’ll put something on it after—won’t even leave a scar.”

Dennis chuckled softly. “I don’t really mind a scar, you know.”

Camila thought: How could he not care? Such beautiful hands—what a shame it’d be!

His long, slender fingers, the strong knuckles and fair skin, looked more like a pianist’s than a regular guy’s. To her, a scar would be like scratching a perfect marble statue.

Just then, the Adamses hurried in, their faces full of concern.

“Dennis, are you alright? Is it really bad? I’m so sorry—I never imagined it’d go like this. It’s all my fault,” Mr. Adams blurted, wringing his hands.

She pulled out a small glass jar and popped the lid. Inside was a pale green salve that smelled faintly herbal—like something you’d find at an old-time pharmacy.

She dabbed some onto a cotton swab and carefully applied it to his burn.

At first, Dennis still felt the sting, but in seconds the pain faded, replaced by a soothing coolness.

He couldn’t help being impressed. “Wow. That stuff works like a charm. You could sell this for a fortune!”

Camila just smiled, tossing the cotton away and handing him the jar. “Keep it. Just make sure you don’t get it wet, and use it once a day. You’ll be good as new in no time.”

Dennis accepted the salve, his gaze lingering on her a little longer than necessary.

This woman, he thought, was truly extraordinary—her skills, her confidence, her touch. Hard to believe anyone could fail to notice.

That Mr. Smith… clearly had no idea what he was missing.