Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 553

As soon as Susan left, Dennis Williams helped Camila Davis over to the couch and eased her down gently.

He poured her a glass of water, and she took it quietly, sipping it little by little.

Dennis sat beside her and asked softly, “You feeling okay?”

Camila’s reaction was sluggish. It took her a long moment to nod, then she shook her head.

Dennis found it a little amusing and chuckled, “So which is it? Do you feel bad or not?”

Camila frowned, thinking hard, then finally mumbled, “Yeah… I feel bad…”

Dennis pressed on, “Where does it hurt? Is it your head?”

She shook her head. “No.”

He was patient, “So where does it hurt?”

Camila stayed silent for a bit, like she was searching for the right words. After a while, she pressed her hand to her chest, right over her heart. “It hurts here.”

That surprised Dennis.

But he thought he understood why. Still, he played dumb and asked, “Why?”

Camila’s mood was written all over her face—she looked so down, like she was struggling to put her feelings into words. Every question took her several seconds before she could answer.

“Sarah’s leaving. Mr. Adams is leaving. Everyone’s going. I won’t have any close friends left.”

Her voice was quiet, but that one sentence twisted something inside Dennis’s chest.

He asked gently, “You don’t want them to go, huh?”

Camila nodded obediently. “Yeah. Mr. Adams was always so nice to Lillian. And Sarah... she’s always been the best to me and Lillian. And… and… Master… he’s already left for Denver.”

She started listing off names, and by the end, her voice was tight with emotion.

“What’s so great about Denver, anyway?” she muttered, her words getting more and more pouty. “Why does everyone want to go there?”

Dennis waited, but she never mentioned his name. He couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed. He’d thought he’d have a real talk with her tonight, but she’d ended up drinking so much instead.

Still, watching her innocent face, he figured maybe it was easier to get her to talk when she was tipsy. So he just went for it: “What about me? If I went back to Denver, would you miss me?”

Camila’s head lifted at that, and she stared straight at him.

Dennis’s dark eyes were gentle. He didn’t rush her, just sat there waiting patiently.

“I don’t want to ruin someone else’s marriage. I don’t want to be the other woman. That’s just… wrong.”

Dennis was even more confused. “Why would you think that?”

Camila stayed silent, her head bowed, refusing to meet his eyes.

“Did someone say something to you? Did you hear something?” Dennis pressed, unwilling to let it go.

But no matter how much he asked, she just wouldn’t answer.

Finally, Dennis sighed, not wanting to push her any further. “Alright, let’s get you to bed. We’ll talk about this when you’re sober, okay?”

Camila, a little out of it, let him lead her back to her room without protest.

Dennis helped her lie down and tucked her in. She just lay there, staring at him.

“Get some sleep. Good night,” he said quietly. Then he turned off the main light, leaving just the small bedside lamp on, and started to head for the door.

As Dennis’s silhouette moved away, Camila felt a sudden panic, like if he left now, she’d never be able to reach him again.

Before Dennis could step out, she scrambled off the bed and grabbed the hem of his shirt, holding on tight.