Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 621

After making their arrangements, they said their goodbyes at the door and went their separate ways.

Aaron came over and pulled open the backseat door of the car.

Dennis Williams ushered Camila Davis inside, and finally, the two of them had a moment to talk.

Camila glanced at him, guilt written across her face as she took in his sharp features.

He looked tired, like he’d rushed back in a hurry, and she felt a pang of concern.

“I’m really sorry,” she said softly, “You just got back, and now you’re having to deal with all…this.”

Dennis reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Why are you apologizing? Isn’t this exactly what I’m supposed to do?”

He hated how she always tried to keep a polite distance between them.

Camila shook her head. “But tonight was such a scene. Now everyone knows about us…”

No matter how much people respected Dennis, she knew they’d talk behind his back now, whispering things that were anything but kind.

It was exactly what she’d always hoped to avoid.

Even if Dennis didn’t care, she couldn’t help but feel bad. Everything had come out in the open so soon.

And with Dennis only just having called off his engagement, his family was probably still tangled up in that mess.

Now that their relationship was public, she was sure his folks would come questioning him. Maybe… even try to stop them.

That was why she’d tried so hard to keep Sarah Brown from making a scene tonight. Dennis had been so busy lately, she didn’t want to add more to his plate.

But in the end, there was no avoiding it.

She sighed, her voice heavy with regret, “I’m sorry, Dennis. I feel like I’ve just made things harder for you.”

Hearing that, Dennis’s eyes grew a touch darker.

He reached out, tilting her chin up so she had to look at him. “Hey, what’s this? Are you regretting it?”

She blinked, caught off guard. “Regret what?”

“Regret being with me?” His voice was low, steady.

Camila gasped, grabbing his shoulders for balance, cheeks flushing as she found herself pressed close against him.

The position felt way too intimate, but she tried to keep her cool. “W-what are you doing?”

Dennis looked her over, thinking she was never more adorable than right now.

“Nothing,” he said, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Just wanted to tell you a few things…”

“First, I don’t care at all if everyone knows about us. In fact, if it hadn’t been tonight, I’d have made it public soon anyway. I want everyone to know I’m taken.”

“Second, people talk because they don’t see what I see in you. But that doesn’t bother me. I know how amazing you are, and eventually, so will they. If anything, it just shows I’ve got great taste.”

“And finally… as for my family, you don’t have to fight that battle. You’re with me. You just need to care about me. I’ll deal with the rest. Even if they’re stubborn, I’ll find a way to make them accept us. I’ll make sure they love you too.”

He wrapped her in a bear hug, holding her tight, his voice dropping to a serious tone.

“Camila, listen to me. I never want you to feel like you have to swallow your feelings for anyone—especially not for me. As for the rest of the world, people will always talk, but if anyone ever tries to hurt you, if anything like tonight happens again—I want you to stand up for yourself. Don’t hold back, don’t worry about the consequences. I’ll always have your back, no matter what.”

Camila felt every word, her eyes stinging as she blinked back sudden tears.