Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 415

When she heard her daughter’s shout, Camila Davis’s jaw practically hit the floor.

Even Dennis Williams looked thrown off for a second.

Camila hurriedly scooped little Lillian into her arms, stroking her hair and trying to soothe her. “Sweetie, did you have a bad dream? Don’t call people like that—this is just Uncle Dennis, remember?”

She felt her face flush with embarrassment. Dennis wasn’t even married—being called “Dad” out of nowhere had to be a shock.

Turning to Dennis, she apologized quickly, “I’m so sorry, Mr. Williams. Lillian’s just talking in her sleep, please don’t mind her.”

But Dennis just shrugged it off, not looking the least bit offended.

His attention stayed on Lillian. Camila was gently wiping away Lillian’s tears, whispering comfort.

The little girl’s lip was trembling, her eyes brimming with fresh tears, but she clung to Dennis with a desperate look. “Daddy, can you hold me?”

The tiny, hopeful voice hit Dennis right in the heart.

He frowned, sensing something wasn’t right. Lillian, for all her shyness and anxiety, had never confused people before—so what was this about?

Relying on his instincts as a child psychologist, he didn’t leave her hanging. He knelt and carefully took Lillian into his arms. “Let me check on her,” he told Camila quietly.

Camila heard the seriousness in his voice and quickly let go, trusting him.

As soon as Lillian was in Dennis’s arms, her sobs started to slow. She clung to his shirt, burying her face in his shoulder.

Dennis rocked her gently, murmuring soothing words until she finally quieted. But instead of jumping into explanations, he did what he always did—spoke to her softly, like they were the only two people in the world. “Hey Lillian, are you thirsty? Want a glass of apple juice? Are you hungry? How about some cookies?”

She hadn’t eaten much at lunch.

Lillian nodded, still clinging to his jacket, her tiny fist wrinkling the fabric.

Camila watched, torn between worry and relief, then slipped off to the kitchen to fix Lillian’s favorite snack—some peanut butter crackers and a glass of milk.

Dennis stayed with Lillian for over an hour, quietly playing and talking while she calmed down. When she seemed a bit more settled, he led her to the art nook.

Even there, Lillian refused to let go of his hand.

Dennis’s patience was endless; he just let her hang on, chatting gently, guiding her back to herself without her even realizing it.

Dennis didn’t sugarcoat it. “Honestly? I think something that happened this morning really shook her up. She’s retreating into herself, and she’s transferred those feelings—she sees me as her father now. It’s not uncommon for kids in recovery to do this when something traumatic happens.”

Camila’s heart twisted. So her little girl had lost hope in her real father and was clinging to Dennis instead? Was it just because Dennis had been so kind?

A wave of sadness and helplessness threatened to overwhelm her. She took a shaky breath. “How long is this going to last? Will she get back to normal soon?”

Dennis shook his head. “I can’t say for sure. She honestly doesn’t realize she’s mixed us up. In her mind, I’m her dad right now. The good news is, we can guide her back—it might be quick, or it might take some time.”

He saw how upset Camila was and offered a comforting smile. “Don’t worry too much. I’ll help her through this.”

How could Camila not worry? But right now, she had no choice but to trust Dennis.

She managed a grateful smile. “Thank you, Mr. Williams. I mean it.”

She hated the idea of Lillian calling Dennis “Dad.” Not because she minded Dennis, but because it just didn’t feel right to put that on him. He was a respected professional who’d gone out of his way to help—and now he’d been made her stand-in father without warning.

Camila couldn’t help but feel awkward about the whole thing.