Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 251

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were over the moon. “That’s my girl!” Mrs. Taylor beamed. “You’ve really got what it takes! But listen, just because you’re in with the Smiths now doesn’t mean you can get complacent. Jordan’s just gone through a divorce—he’s probably a mess inside. Be gentle with him, don’t push his buttons…”

“If you play the sweet, caring type, he’ll be wrapped around your finger,” Mr. Taylor added, winking.

Sandra Taylor tossed her hair, confidence radiating from her. “Relax, Mom, he’s totally into me. There’s no way he’d ever get mad at me now.”

Honestly, every time they were together, she made sure he was more than satisfied. A little flirting and he was putty in her hands—the kind of guy who’d keep her up all night just to be close.

In her eyes, landing a future Smith baby was going to be a piece of cake.

“Just watch,” she said smugly. “Before long, I’ll be the next Mrs. Smith—and no one will have a fancier title in town!”

That evening, the Smith estate was bustling. Both families had gathered at the grand old house.

Barbara Jones, the family matriarch, had instructed the chef to whip up a massive dinner—roast beef, mashed potatoes, apple pie—the works. It felt like Thanksgiving had come early.

Barbara, positively glowing, kept talking about how relieved she was now that Camila Davis was out of the picture. “Finally, some peace of mind,” she declared. “That woman was nothing but trouble—always stirring the pot, dragging the Smith name through the mud. Never did anything useful, always causing drama. Sandra is a hundred times better. Honestly, I never liked Camila from the start.”

She sniffed, then turned her attention to Daniel, who was grinning in the corner. “And don’t get me started on her daughter. After all these years eating at our table, she still felt like an outsider. Not like Daniel—he’s family, through and through.”

Daniel, always eager to please, piped up, “Grandma Barbara, guess what? I got first place at school today! My teacher said I’m super smart, and I’ve already started learning next year’s classes on my own…”

Barbara’s eyes sparkled. “That’s my boy! Sharp as a tack—must take after his mom, right?”

She glanced at Lillian, feeling a wave of disappointment. That girl was nothing like a Smith. Honestly, Barbara still suspected Camila hadn’t been faithful—why else would she have refused the DNA test?

Kicking them out had been the right call.

As everyone dug into the feast, Lucas Smith, Jordan’s younger brother, sat quietly, swirling his whiskey. On the surface, he was happy about Jordan’s divorce—Camila had never fit in. But seeing Sandra move into Jordan’s life left a bitter taste in his mouth.

His secret crush, gone forever. He downed his drink, but no one noticed.

Later, as the meal wound down, the conversation turned to Sandra and Jordan’s upcoming nuptials.

“As soon as the dust settles, we’ll set a date,” Mr. Taylor announced. “Smiths and Taylors together? No one in Harrisburg will dare underestimate us!”

Everyone cheered and laughed, already dreaming of the power their families would hold.

Walter chuckled. “If this works, our lab’s value will double. You’ll be one of the city’s hottest young businesswomen—maybe even a millionaire.”

He held out his hand, and Camila shook it lightly. “Let’s not jinx it. But hey, here’s to getting rich together.”

Their hands parted almost instantly, but Walter lingered for a second, savoring the touch. He’d always kept his distance while she was married, but maybe now…

***

Afterwards, Camila headed out to pick up Lillian from school. She didn’t expect to run into Jordan Smith at the gate.

They hadn’t seen each other since the divorce, and honestly, Camila had almost forgotten about him. But there he was, standing stiff and awkward, watching her approach.

She raised her brows, cool and unreadable, not in the mood for small talk.

Jordan was taken aback. He’d assumed Camila would be devastated after the split. But looking at her now—she seemed more radiant than ever. Her sundress and coat hugged her figure, her makeup was perfect, and every step she took radiated confidence.

He couldn’t help but wonder—had he ever really seen her before?