Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 394

Mr. Morris nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Let’s eat first, don’t want anyone running on empty. Lillian, come on, Grandpa will take you to wash your hands.”

The little one didn’t shy away at all. She reached out and grabbed Grandpa’s hand, letting him lead her toward the bathroom.

Camila Davis watched the scene with a look of surprise on her face.

After all, Lillian wasn’t like other kids. Camila had been worried that her daughter might have a hard time adjusting to all these new faces and places, but she was getting comfortable way faster than expected.

Back in the day, something like this would’ve been impossible.

Camila thought it over and quickly realized why. The kindness shown by Grandpa and Patrick was so genuine and pure—no strings attached. Lillian could sense that, even at her age, so she didn’t resist or put up walls.

But what really surprised Camila was how naturally Grandpa took to Lillian, too. No awkwardness at all.

At dinner, Mr. Morris fussed over Lillian in every possible way. Whenever she reached for a slice of pizza or a piece of fried chicken, he’d help her get it first. If she made a mess, he’d wipe her mouth or offer her a spoonful of chicken noodle soup—he was attentive to a fault.

Lillian, sweet as ever, tried to copy him, offering Grandpa some mashed potatoes, then looked at Patrick and called out, “Patrick, come eat with us!”

There she was, just four years old, charming two grown men whose combined age was over a hundred, and making their hearts melt.

After dinner, Lillian couldn’t wait to tear open her presents, with Patrick by her side.

Watching her daughter’s beaming smile, Camila turned to Mr. Morris and said quietly, “Thank you.”

The words seemed simple, but Mr. Morris knew exactly what she meant.

He didn’t reply directly. Instead, he shot her a look and said, “What, you thought just because I’m not fond of Jordan Smith, I’d take it out on Lillian too? Come on, give me some credit. I’m old, not heartless. You think I’d hold a grudge against a kid for something her father did?”

His tone was half teasing, half annoyed that she’d even think it.

Camila looked a little helpless. “That’s not what I meant.”

She tried to explain, “I just… didn’t expect you all to get along so well. It’s better than I could’ve hoped for.”

Mr. Morris seemed to think this was obvious. “Why wouldn’t we? She’s your daughter, right? You raised her, so of course she’s got your temperament. Remember when you first came to study medicine with me? You were a handful, crying all the time, and I had to coax you through every little thing.

Lillian’s even more gentle and well-behaved than you ever were. You think I wouldn’t know how to handle a sweet little girl?”

Camila reached out to pat his shoulder, her voice soothing. “It’s over now. There’s no point getting worked up. We’re never going back there.”

Mr. Morris nodded, clearly agreeing.

“You’re right. Keeping your distance is best.”

He paused, then added, “That Dr. Williams seems like a decent guy. Last night, I could tell he’s not an average man. He stood up for you, too, unlike that cold-hearted Jordan Smith. He was right there when you needed help and just stood by doing nothing. Five years of marriage, and that’s all he’s got to give? Divorce or not, you’d think he’d have a little decency left. Some people are just stone cold.”

He hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Camila. “You and Dr. Williams seem pretty close. Is there… something going on there?”

Camila chuckled, already knowing where this was headed. “We’re just friends, nothing more. Dr. Williams is a great guy, and he’s got quite a background, but there’s nothing between us. Honestly, I’m focused on building my career now. I’m not looking for anything else.”

She’d learned her lesson from her last relationship. She wasn’t about to lose herself for a man again.

If she ever met someone new, she wanted to stand as an equal—not lean on someone else and end up with nothing to show for it.

And honestly, a guy like Dr. Williams? He was out of her league. The thought of being with someone like him—well, that was just a fairy tale.