Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 558

"And... you owe me a fiancée."

“What?!”

Camila Davis could barely process what she was hearing. She was already stunned by everything Dennis had said before—when had she ever agreed to any of this?

But this last part? It was on a whole new level.

Owe him a fiancée? What kind of bizarre demand was that? Didn’t he already have one? Why was she supposed to compensate him? Had she gotten so drunk last night that she’d somehow ruined his engagement or something?

Camila racked her brain, trying desperately to remember what on earth she’d done, but nothing came to mind.

Dennis didn’t seem interested in pressing her for answers—when he saw she was drawing a blank, he smoothly switched topics.

“Last night, after you’d had a few too many margaritas, I asked you a very important question. I’ll ask again: let’s say the Cambridge Research Institute was expanding and wanted you to join the team. Would you go?”

He paused, studying her face. “Would you want to work alongside your mentor as colleagues?”

Camila’s thoughts screeched to a halt. She looked up at Dennis, surprise flickering in her eyes.

She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she said, “Well… I doubt I’d ever get in, honestly. I mean, those places are packed with the brightest minds—people like my mentor. Sure, I’m talented, but compared to them? I’m still young, barely out of grad school, and way less experienced. What are the odds they’d pick me?”

Dennis chuckled at her modest brag.

When Camila looked at him again, he pressed on, “Forget all the details. Just answer me: if you had the chance, would you take it?”

Since he put it that way, Camila didn’t bother arguing about the odds. She grinned, shrugging. “If I really got an offer like that? Who wouldn’t want to go? That’s the dream.”

Landing a spot at a place like that would be the pinnacle of her career. The projects would be legendary, the kind she’d always wanted to work on—stuff ordinary folks could only dream of.

But, like she’d said, she was still so young. If the chance ever came, heck, she’d be happy just making coffee runs for the team.

Dennis noticed, and couldn’t help but smile. She was so easy to read, and honestly, it made his heart soften a little.

But this time, Dennis wasn’t about to explain everything. First, he’d get her to Cambridge—then they’d see what happened.

He left soon after, and just as he said, he started making things happen right away.

Barely an hour after he left, Camila’s phone buzzed with a text: “Just got to the airport.”

A few minutes later, another: “Boarding now.”

Then, two hours after that: “Landed in Cambridge.”

Camila stared at the string of messages, not sure how to respond. Was she imagining things, or did this feel suspiciously like the start of a relationship? Dennis was updating her like a boyfriend giving his girlfriend a play-by-play of his day.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Camila shook her head, half-laughing at herself. She had to be losing it!