Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 454

Camila Davis couldn’t help but frown at what she was hearing.

As a doctor, she knew that going for an aggressive treatment could have serious consequences. Unless it was a life-or-death emergency, pushing too hard could leave a patient looking fine at first, but suffering irreversible side effects later on. Worst case? It could even kill them on the spot.

Mr. Morris turned to Camila and said, “Raymond Mitchell never bothered us before, but now that he’s targeting you, you can’t just let him get away with it! Sue him if you have to, and if he ends up behind bars, so be it!”

“Absolutely,” Camila nodded firmly.

Now that she was the heir apparent to the Davis Medical Center, and soon to be in charge, she couldn’t allow anyone out there—especially someone from her own institution—to ruin their hard-earned reputation.

After dinner, Camila asked Lillian to go cheer up their old mentor, while she called Walter Wilson. “I’ve already talked to my mentor about Raymond Mitchell. Just follow protocol—guys like him who’ve lost all sense of medical ethics need to be taught a lesson.”

She filled Walter in on some of the dirt she had on Raymond.

Walter sounded downright enthusiastic. “I thought maybe he was a friend of Mr. Morris’s, but if not, even better. A guy like that, I bet this isn’t his first time pulling something shady. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure we take him down. Every drug we’ve developed is patented—just hasn’t been made public yet. If he’s infringing, he’s basically asking for it.”

“Thanks, Walter,” Camila said, nodding.

Walter just chuckled. “Hey, you don’t need to thank me. It’s really no trouble. Besides, I get a cut of the profits from your new medication, remember?”

That made Camila laugh too, and they dropped the polite formalities.

Then Walter added, “By the way, isn’t your birthday coming up? Maybe this year you’ll actually get to celebrate for once?”

Camila paused, realizing he was right. She hadn’t really celebrated her birthday in years.

The first year she married into the Smith family, she’d actually been looking forward to it—just a cozy dinner with Jordan Smith. But she ended up eating alone, letting her roast chicken and mashed potatoes go cold, waiting for Jordan, who never showed. After that, she got the message—he just didn’t care. Every year, her birthday was just a text from her parents or a call from friends. No celebration, no cake.

But this year was different. She was finally free of the Smiths, surrounded by family and friends again. Maybe it really was time for a proper birthday.

“You know what? Yeah—I think I will actually celebrate this year.”

Walter let out a hearty laugh. “Let me help you plan it, okay?”

Camila considered it, but gently declined. “You’re swamped as it is, Mr. Wilson. Besides, my mentor will probably have Patrick handle the arrangements.”

Patrick nodded. “They never made it a priority.” The truth was, they just didn’t care about Camila and her daughter, but Patrick kept that to himself so Mr. Morris wouldn’t get even angrier.

Mr. Morris was already fuming. “This year, we’re going all out. I want invitations sent to everyone who matters in Harrisburg. Let them see just how amazing my student is!”

Camila, still outside, hesitated to enter. She was afraid she’d get another lecture about the Smiths if she walked in now.

The next day, it was time for Lillian’s regular treatment.

But Camila ended up stuck at work, still distracted by Dennis Williams supposedly having a “girlfriend.” With a hint of avoidance, she asked Dennis to take Lillian alone this time.

Dennis didn’t mind. He showed up bright and early to pick Lillian up.

As Camila handed over her daughter—and the calming medicine she’d prepared—she said, “Sorry to stick you with everything today.”

Dennis, ever perceptive, noticed her avoiding his gaze. He could tell something was up—she’d been acting distant for days.

He looked at the medicine she was handing him and said gently, “If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind putting it in the pill organizer for me? I can never figure out the latch you designed.”