Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 402

Sarah Brown leaned in closer, her voice just above a whisper. “So, what kind of painting are you thinking of getting for Mr. Williams?”

Camila Davis shook her head. “No idea yet. Let’s just look around. You never know—we might stumble on the perfect one.”

And, as it turned out, she was absolutely right. Barely half an hour later, Camila had found exactly what she was looking for.

It was a painting—oil on canvas—of an old chapel perched on a snowy mountaintop.

Amid swirling snowflakes, a lone figure stood beneath a sturdy pine tree. The artist had sketched him with just a few bold strokes: a long coat billowing in the icy wind, standing perfectly still, as if he’d become one with the winter landscape. There was something almost otherworldly about him, a quiet strength that felt both distant and magnetic.

In his hand, he held a rosary, or maybe it was just a string of prayer beads—either way, it gave the whole painting a certain solemn grace.

Camila couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but something about this painting reminded her so much of Dennis Williams.

Especially that first impression she’d had of him—composed, a little aloof, like someone who belonged on a different plane altogether.

Sarah noticed Camila lingering in front of the painting. “What’s up?” she asked, peering over Camila’s shoulder. Then her eyes widened. “Wait a minute, doesn’t this give you serious Mr. Williams vibes?”

Camila turned and grinned. “You feel it too?”

Sarah nodded enthusiastically. “It’s just... I don’t know, it’s obvious, isn’t it? You too?”

Camila chuckled. “Yeah, same here.”

Sarah beamed. “Well, I guess that settles it, right?”

She paused for a second, then added, “Only thing is, Mr. Williams is into abstract art. Do you think he’d like something a bit more traditional?”

Camila studied the painting. “He appreciates all kinds. Lillian actually picked up traditional techniques from him—he taught her himself.”

Sarah nodded and waved over a gallery assistant. “Hi! We’d like to buy this painting. Could you help us take it down?”

“Of course. Please give me a moment.”

The assistant smiled politely, then called over a couple of colleagues to carefully remove the painting. She then led Camila and Sarah to a desk to fill out the paperwork.

When they arrived, the gallery’s manager was busy logging the sale. Sitting nearby in a wheelchair was an elderly woman, her silver hair elegantly styled, dressed in a deep navy velvet dress that looked straight out of a Jane Austen novel.

The woman watched Camila with keen interest. “There are so many beautiful pieces here, dear. What drew you to this one?”

She gestured at the painting. “Some say it feels distant and cold—like the figure is out of reach, standing alone on some lofty peak. There’s a kind of solitude, a sense that he’s above it all, almost divine, but also heartbreakingly alone. Most people look at it and see nothing but loneliness. I’m curious—what made you choose it?”

Camila hesitated, glancing at Sarah, then back at the painting. She took a breath, ready to explain her answer.