Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 633

Camila Davis fell quiet for a long moment.

Dennis Williams glanced over and noticed her eyes were a little red. He paused, concern flickering across his face.

With a soft, slightly exasperated smile, he reached over and brushed her cheek gently. “Hey, what’s going on? Your eyes are all red.”

Camila shook her head quickly. “It’s nothing, really. I think I just got something in my eye. It’ll be fine in a second…”

She rubbed her eyes, trying to collect herself, then nodded. “Don’t worry, I remember everything you just said.”

Of course, Dennis knew it wasn’t really about something in her eye. He’d known her long enough to recognize the signs. He understood exactly why her emotions were getting the best of her.

As they waited for the light to change at an intersection, he reached over, pulled her closer, and pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of her eye. “That’s all I ask.”

Camila hadn’t expected that. Suddenly, her eyes weren’t red anymore—her cheeks were.

Was this guy for real? Right now, while he was still driving?

What if the dash cam caught that?

She turned quickly. “You need to focus on the road!”

At the same time, she glanced at the back seat, suddenly worried their daughter might say something.

Lillian, spotting her mom’s look, immediately covered her eyes with her tiny hands and piped up in her sweet, childish voice, “Mommy, I’m not peeking, I promise!”

Of course, her fingers were spread wide, and she was peeking right through them. Camila couldn’t help but laugh, her earlier worries melting away.

Dennis caught the scene in the rearview mirror and had to stifle a chuckle of his own.

Soon, they were back on the road, and fifteen minutes later, pulled up to the preschool.

They’d arrived early, missing the morning rush. Dennis led Camila and Lillian straight to the principal’s office.

The principal had been waiting for them—she’d gotten the heads-up days ago and was determined to make a good impression.

As soon as they walked in, she beamed. “Good morning, Mr. Williams!”

She turned to Camila and Lillian. “And you must be Mrs. Smith, and this is little Lillian? Oh my, she’s adorable! With genes like that, how could she not be?”

Camila blinked in surprise, glancing at Dennis as if for confirmation.

Dennis waved. “See you after school!”

Only then did Lillian muster her courage and wave back bravely.

Seeing their daughter’s expression, Camila felt her heart twist with worry. But she knew she had to let go just a little.

Dennis noticed and reached for her hand, speaking softly. “Let’s follow along for a bit, watch from the hallway. Just to make sure she’s okay.”

Camila looked up at him, half-amused. He was even more anxious than she was. She couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, let’s be sneaky parents for a while.”

Dennis grinned. “Guess this is what they mean when they say the first day is harder for the parents than the kids.”

The principal, overhearing, quickly offered to show them to Lillian’s classroom.

Outside the door, Dennis and Camila peeked through the small window, making sure Lillian couldn’t see them.

Inside, Lillian sat at a little desk near the front. She looked so small and quiet, surrounded by kids she didn’t know, her hands folded in her lap, uncertainty written all over her face.

Camila felt another pang in her heart, but she also knew—this was the start of something new.