Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 64

Later that day, Lillian was starting to look a little worn out from all the excitement, so Camila Davis decided to end their trip to the amusement park a bit early.

When they got home, she was surprised to find Jordan Smith already there.

He was sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, typing away on his laptop. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, the crisp white shirt making him look every bit the successful businessman he was.

Huh, so he wasn’t out with his old flame and her kid after all?

Camila hadn’t expected to see him here. But she didn’t care to ask, either.

After the argument they’d had earlier, she honestly didn’t feel like talking to him at all. She just poured a glass of warm water and got ready to help Lillian drink it.

She couldn’t help thinking about the divorce papers again. Had Jordan even looked at them? Why was he taking so long to give her an answer?

While Camila was frowning and lost in thought, Jordan must have finished whatever he was doing, because he glanced up at Lillian, who was sitting on the couch.

“Hey, Dad…” Lillian greeted him a little shyly.

Jordan nodded, his tone neutral as he asked, “Where’d you go this afternoon? Did you eat anything?”

“We went to play,” Lillian answered honestly, “Mommy and Sarah came too… and we had cake and dinner…”

Jordan let out a noncommittal “Mm,” then reached for a nicely wrapped box on the coffee table and handed it over. “Here, this is for you. Open it up, see if you like it.”

Lillian peeked at the box, a little hesitant.

There was a pink little fox printed right on the lid—her favorite.

She couldn’t resist. Instantly, she grabbed it and started unwrapping.

Camila instinctively wanted to stop her. She’d been burned before—once, Sandra Taylor’s son had “gifted” Lillian something with a nasty prank inside.

But this time, Lillian was faster than her.

She opened the box, and thankfully, there was nothing nasty inside. Just a cute little fox hair clip, sparkling with tiny rhinestones. It was absolutely adorable.

Lillian lit up at the sight and took it out, turning it over in her hands, completely enchanted.

Camila’s face stayed calm. She didn’t feel any joy at Jordan’s gesture.

She knew too well—first the stick, then the candy. Lillian might not get it, but she did.

Jordan probably just wanted to ease his own guilt for ignoring Lillian that afternoon.

Camila’s eyes turned cold. She walked over to her daughter and said, “Sweetheart, let’s go upstairs and take a bath, okay? You sweated a lot at the park today, and you’re all stinky. Let’s get you nice and clean.”

Lillian, still riding the high from her new hair clip, had no complaints. She loved being clean anyway, and when Camila called her “stinky,” she immediately stretched out her little arms.

Camila scooped her up and headed upstairs without another word.

Behind them, Jordan sat on the couch, frowning at their backs, clearly annoyed.

The other relatives didn’t even bother hiding their disdain.

Back in the day, Camila would have kept her head down, smiled politely, and greeted everyone respectfully. But now? She wasn’t interested in playing nice anymore. She ignored them all, her eyes focused only on the memorial in the hall—the portrait and nameplate of the elder Mrs. Smith.

The second her gaze landed on Grandma’s photo, Camila’s eyes welled up with tears.

Grandma was smiling in that picture—gentle, elegant, her silver curls perfectly set, a string of pearls around her neck, wearing a classic vintage dress. There was a warmth in her eyes that time hadn’t managed to fade; she looked as kind as ever.

Camila could almost hear her voice:

“Camila marrying into the Smith family was our family’s blessing.”

“I was out shopping today and saw some dresses I thought you’d look lovely in, so I bought them all for you!”

“These purses are the latest style—perfect with those dresses I got you before.”

“Our Lillian is a little angel sent down to earth. She’s just a bit scared from the journey. If we love and protect her, she’ll open up in no time.”

“After I’m gone, all my money and property will go to Camila and Lillian. That’s what I want.”

“If anything ever happens to them after I’m gone… what will I do…”

Camila blinked away tears, aching with the memory of the only person in the family who had ever truly cared for her and her daughter.