Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 353

About twenty minutes later, Camila Davis finally pulled up outside the school.

As she got out of her car, she immediately spotted Jordan Smith’s tall figure, being held up by someone just outside the school gates.

Camila shot him a cold glance, didn’t bother to acknowledge him, and headed straight inside to pick up Lillian.

The little one finally peeked out as soon as she saw her mom.

“Mommy!”

She ran over with her tiny, excited steps and grabbed her mom’s hand.

Camila’s expression instantly softened the moment she saw her little girl.

Lillian started chattering away, animatedly telling her mom all about her day at school.

“It was Amelia’s birthday today, so we had cake together! I drew her a picture, and she was really happy. Later, she gave me some candy, but I didn’t eat it. I saved it for you, Mommy!”

With that, Lillian dug into her pocket and pulled out a slightly crumpled piece of candy, handing it to her mom.

Camila took it with a smile, crouched down to Lillian’s level, and planted a kiss on her cheek. “You’re so sweet to Mommy. Thank you, honey!”

“As long as you’re happy, Mommy!” Lillian beamed, the picture of adorable innocence.

Just then, a shadow suddenly fell over the two of them.

Camila didn’t even have to look up to know who it was.

When Lillian saw Jordan Smith, the smile on her face instantly froze. She instinctively took a step back, hiding behind her mom.

It was clear she had no desire to see her dad.

Jordan noticed all of this. For a moment, he seemed almost shaken.

Just a second ago, he’d seen his usually shy, withdrawn daughter looking lively and spirited—almost unrecognizable from the way she used to be. But as soon as he appeared, it was like she’d put on a mask, her gaze turning guarded as she pressed herself behind Camila.

Something twisted in Jordan’s chest.

He forced himself to stay calm and spoke gently, “Lillian, aren’t you going to say hello to Daddy?”

Lillian pursed her lips, and after a long pause, managed a reluctant, “Hi, Daddy…”

Jordan gave a small nod, as if trying to find some comfort in that one word.

He continued, “It’s been a while, Lillian. Did you miss Daddy? How about you come home tonight for dinner? Grandma Williams would love to see you too.”

At this, Camila’s expression tightened, and she frowned in clear displeasure.

Jordan had never been rejected this way before.

He’d never had to work so hard for his daughter’s affection, and every attempt was met with another wall.

Finally, his patience snapped.

He shot Camila a furious glare and barked, “Are you happy now, Camila? This is all your fault! If you’d just let me spend time with Lillian, she wouldn’t be so distant!”

He was blaming it all on her.

Camila let out a short, bitter laugh. “Jordan, have you ever heard the saying ‘blood is thicker than water’? If someone’s gotten their fill of disappointment, no amount of meddling can change how they feel.”

“If you’d ever actually cared for your kid, she’d come to you on her own, without anyone’s interference.”

She gave him a pointed look. “Need me to remind you what you’ve done to her over the years? You never paid her any attention. When Sandra Taylor came back, you treated someone else’s son like your own. Years of neglect and indifference—did you ever think about what that would do to her? But now you want to blame me?”

Her words were sharp and stinging, and Jordan’s anger only grew. “Don’t turn this around on me! Maybe if you weren’t always hanging around other men and dragging her along, my daughter wouldn’t be so distant!”

Camila just shook her head, almost amused at his nerve. “Really, Jordan? You want to talk about loyalty? You were out all night even before we split up, never coming home. Need me to remind you about the Silver Brook Homestead incident? Or did you forget that already?”

“How do you have the nerve to stand here and accuse me?”