Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 358

Just then, her phone buzzed.

Sandra Taylor glanced at the screen. Someone had sent her a series of photos from the summit, followed by a message: “Is this the VIP treatment you get just for hanging around Jordan Smith?”

Sandra’s heart skipped a beat. Her hands trembled, and her phone slipped from her grasp, clattering onto the hardwood floor.

Her face went pale, dread creeping in. It was him again—her damn ex-husband.

Was he… at the summit that day too?

No way, she thought. A guy like him couldn’t possibly get past security.

Sandra scooped up her phone and opened the photos, inspecting them closely.

She was expecting to spot some hidden angle, some sneaky paparazzi shot. But as she scrolled through, she realized these were just screenshots pulled from the internet.

So the summit drama had made its way online after all.

Even though The Smith Group had tried to keep things under wraps, some details had still leaked—especially the stuff about her and Jordan Smith.

No surprise, the trolls were having a field day, roasting them both.

Sandra was well aware there’d be nothing good in those comments, so she’d avoided looking until now.

But this—this random number sending her taunting messages… She gritted her teeth in frustration.

Did her ex really think this would scare her?

No way. She wasn’t going to let him get to her.

Determined, Sandra blocked the number. There was only one way forward for her now: stick with Jordan Smith—he was her best shot at a decent life.

And she wasn’t about to let anyone, especially her ex, ruin that.

—

Later that evening, Jordan Smith came downstairs after his shower. Sandra was already waiting, a tray of food and medicine in hand.

She fussed over him, setting down a plate of roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and a steaming bowl of homemade soup. As he started to eat, she poured him a cup of herbal tea and said, “Next week’s the big Medical Expo here in Harrisburg. Some top doctors will be flying in from all over.”

She smiled, making sure his plate was full. “I’ve already sent someone to dig up info on that so-called ‘miracle doctor’ from the medical school. If I hear anything, you’ll be the first to know!”

Jordan’s heart softened a little at her care, thinking back on how cold he’d been toward her earlier.

“Thanks, Sandra. I’ll have Nathan Gates look into it too,” he replied gently.

When she finally emerged from her bedroom, the house was unusually quiet. No sign of Dennis Williams or little Lillian. Even Lightning, their golden retriever, was nowhere to be seen.

Puzzled, Camila poked her head into the living room, where Susan the housekeeper was dusting the mantelpiece. “Hey, Susan, where is everyone?”

Susan smiled warmly. “Mr. Williams took Lillian out to the military base. Said he wanted to give Lightning some new training.”

Camila felt a pang of guilt. Dennis was here to help, and she’d slept half the day away, leaving him to entertain her daughter.

She turned to Susan, apologetic. “Why didn’t you wake me for lunch? I can’t believe I let him handle everything by himself.”

Susan chuckled. “Oh, Dennis insisted you get some real rest! He told me not to disturb you and said I should tell you: If you want to come to the base later, just head over. If not, he’ll bring Lillian back tonight.”

Of course Camila would go. She couldn’t just lounge around while Dennis played babysitter.

But first, she grabbed a quick bite—Susan reheated some leftover mac and cheese and chicken pot pie for her.

As Camila ate, Susan chatted away, “Dennis is a real gem. He looked after Lillian all day, so patient with her. Honestly, the two of them together—like a real father and daughter. If you two ever got together, I bet you’d make the happiest family!”

Camila blushed, but she couldn’t help but smile as she thought of Dennis and Lillian at the base, probably teaching Lightning new tricks.

Maybe Susan was right. Maybe happiness was closer than she thought.