Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 223

Camila Davis felt a rush of emotion and immediately accepted the gift. “Thank you, sweetheart. Mommy will put this somewhere special when we get home.”

Lillian nodded earnestly, then picked up the certificate. “This one... I want to give it to Uncle. He’s the one who taught me how to draw.”

Camila smiled. She couldn’t agree more.

Lillian wouldn’t be where she was today if it weren’t for Mr. Williams.

He deserved to share this honor too!

“Of course, honey.”

She grabbed her phone without a second thought. “Let’s call him right now.”

Larry Adams had just finished his closing remarks and was coming off the stage. He overheard her and tried to interject, “Don’t bother, Dennis is probably busy…”

He’d texted Dennis yesterday and still hadn’t gotten a response!

But before he could finish, Camila’s call was already picked up.

Larry blinked in surprise. “Huh?”

Camila was too focused on the call to notice. When she heard that familiar deep voice answer, she quickly said, “Mr. Williams, do you have a minute? Would you mind meeting up for a bit?”

“Is everything alright?” Dennis Williams’s voice was calm and caring.

Camila hurried to reassure him. “No, nothing’s wrong at all. It’s just that...”

She quickly explained Lillian’s art award and how her daughter wanted to give the certificate to him.

“Lillian said it’s all thanks to your teaching. She really wanted you to have it.”

Dennis listened, then chuckled softly. “That’s sweet. I just finished up here, so I can meet you at the school in a bit.”

“Perfect,” Camila said, hanging up.

It was only then that Dennis finally noticed the unread message from his friend.

He raised an eyebrow.

“Daughter?” he thought. “How did a straight-A student suddenly become illiterate?”

He ignored it, slipped his phone into his pocket, and turned to Aaron. “Let’s head to Lillian’s school.”

Aaron nodded and pulled the car around.

When they arrived, Camila and Lillian were already waiting by the front gates.

Lillian’s eyes sparkled. She looked up at her mom, seeking permission. “Can I...?”

Camila was caught off guard. “Mr. Williams, you didn’t have to get her a present! That’s so thoughtful!”

Dennis just shrugged. “It wasn’t much. Lillian’s my first student ever, and she won an award—how could I not celebrate a little?”

He nudged her. “Go on, open it. See if you like it.”

When her mom didn’t object, Lillian immediately lifted the lid.

Inside was a beautiful little dress—her favorite color, pink, with a playful fox pattern, and it was next season’s unreleased design.

Lillian was over the moon. She hugged the box tightly and thanked him in her little voice, “It’s so pretty! Thank you, Uncle!”

Then, without hesitation, she reached out to Dennis. “Can I have a hug?”

Camila froze, reflexively about to stop her.

Even though Mr. Williams was always kind and polite, she’d noticed he wasn’t the touchy-feely type. Even with Lillian, he usually stuck to holding hands or a gentle pat on the head—real hugs were rare, reserved for emergencies.

But before she could say a word, Dennis simply bent down and scooped Lillian up with ease.

Lillian threw her arms around his neck and planted a big kiss on his cheek. “I love my prize, and I love you, Uncle!”