Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 596

Things are different now.

Eric Morris looked at her with a knowing smile. “I can see you’ve got feelings for that guy, but you haven’t lost yourself in it. You know what you want—so I’ve really got nothing to complain about.”

He paused, a little sigh escaping him. “Actually, I’m relieved. When I heard you were getting divorced, I was worried about you…”

Eric shook his head, his voice turning gentle. “But seeing you haven’t let what Jordan Smith did kill your courage to love again—that’s good, Camila. Really good.

But I’ll say it again: I don’t care who you end up with, just remember to love yourself first. That’s what matters most.”

Camila Davis felt her nose sting, emotions welling up. She’d always known her mentor cared, even when he scolded her for being foolish—there was kindness underneath it all.

She nodded, eyes earnest. “I get it, Master. Don’t worry. I’m not going to make the same mistakes again.”

Eric seemed satisfied with her promise, but he wasn’t done yet.

“Even so,” he continued, “don’t fool yourself into thinking things will be easy with this guy. Someone from his kind of family background… marriage isn’t just about love. There are other forces at play.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Word is, his family arranged for him to marry Ms. Lee—a perfect match, on paper anyway. But I’ve heard that’s been called off, and by now the whole of Cabinda is probably talking about it. Still, his family’s dead set against it being over. They might try to push the match again.”

Camila blinked in surprise. The very thing she’d been trying to find out—her mentor had just laid it out for her.

“He turned it down?” she asked.

“Yup.” Eric nodded, his gaze meaningful. “And from what I hear, he handled it pretty cleanly.”

“No formal engagement, and he refused from the start—so, no, you’re not in the wrong. Still, people will talk. If you and Dennis want to take things further, you’ll have to handle this carefully. You’ve been through a lot already—you know how fast rumors spread, and how hard it is to clear your name once people start talking. You’re my only apprentice, Camila. I watched you grow up. I don’t want to see you blamed for something you didn’t do.”

Camila felt her eyes sting, tears threatening. “I understand, Master. And I trust Dennis, too.”

Eric shook his head, concern written all over his face. “As long as you know what you’re doing, I won’t say more. Just… you probably won’t run into those people anyway, so let Dennis handle it if anything comes up. If he really cares about you, he’ll make sure the trouble doesn’t reach you.”

At that, Camila froze. Master’s advice might have come a little late—she’d already promised Sarah she’d go with her to that cocktail party. There was every chance she’d run into exactly those people Master was warning her about.

But she didn’t mention it. After all, this was her life, and she had to face things herself sooner or later. Even with Dennis standing by her, shielding her, there would always come a day she’d have to face the music herself.

And if that’s the case, she thought, so be it. She wasn’t going to be afraid.