Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 532

Back when Dennis Williams used to dote on little Lillian, Camila never felt a shred of guilt about bending the truth or making excuses. Dennis indulged her daughter, and that made everything easier.

But now, things were different.

He was about to start a family of his own.

Camila couldn’t let herself ruin his happiness.

That meant Lillian couldn’t keep thinking of Dennis as her dad.

Of course, she’d have to handle this carefully, step by step.

Camila had already made up her mind: after they got back to Harrisburg, she’d tell little Lillian a white lie—that Dennis was away on a long business trip, maybe overseas, gone for a whole year.

And she’d start dialing back their phone calls and video chats, too.

Kids have short memories, Camila thought. Out of sight, out of mind. If Lillian didn’t see or talk to him, maybe, just maybe, she’d get used to not having a dad around.

Lillian, of course, had no idea what her mom was planning.

She was a sweet, level-headed little girl. When Camila told her they wouldn’t be seeing Dennis for a while, Lillian sniffled and nodded, trying her best to be brave.

Her eyes were red, like a bunny rabbit’s, and her bottom lip trembled. “Lillian understands. I’ll try to be good for Daddy…”

She said she understood, but she couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her cheeks. Still, she bit her lip, refusing to cry out loud.

Camila’s heart twisted at the sight. She scooped her daughter into her arms and hugged her tight, whispering, “You’re my good girl, Lillian. Even if Daddy’s not here, you’ve still got me.”

She hugged her daughter even tighter, as if reminding herself that at least she still had Lillian.

Lillian rested her head on her mom’s shoulder, arms looped around her neck. Gradually, her sobs quieted, but her eyes kept darting toward the curb where Dennis’s car waited.

Her daddy was still inside.

Mom said he was going to help some heroes—maybe doctors or soldiers, Lillian didn’t really understand. All she knew was, she didn’t want Daddy to go.

Choking back another sob, Lillian asked, “Mommy, can I go with Daddy to help the heroes too?”

Camila didn’t hesitate. “No, sweetheart. You’re still a little girl. If you went with Daddy, he’d have to take care of you, and that would make things even harder for him.”

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