Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 782

On the way back, Dennis turned to Aaron with a question.

“Is the gossip still circulating out there?”

He’d already instructed Aaron to take care of it a few days ago. Dennis had expected things to quiet down. But thinking of his grandfather’s words just now, his expression grew even colder.

Aaron glanced at him in the rearview mirror before answering, “The ones who don’t dare cross you—well, they’ve shut up. At least, no one’s spreading rumors in public anymore. The rest? Just a handful of reckless idiots. But honestly, the one fanning the flames the most is still Lavinia Roberts.”

Dennis’s eyes grew even icier. “Let her have her fun for another couple of days,” he said flatly.

Aaron didn’t miss the flash of menace in his boss’s eyes. In his mind, he was already lighting a row of candles for the Roberts family. How many times did they plan to provoke Mr. Williams? Lavinia Roberts probably had no idea just how close she was to disaster.

By the time the car pulled up outside Eagle’s Peak Estate, it was already past ten at night.

Dennis stepped out, and as he entered the house, he saw a single warm lamp glowing in the living room. Beneath it, Camila Davis was curled up on the couch, nodding off, her head drooping with sleep.

Was she waiting for him?

The thought melted away the coldness that had been clinging to him all evening, softening his entire expression.

He walked quietly to her side, carefully scooped her into his arms, and started carrying her toward her room.

Camila stirred as he approached, and by the time he lifted her up, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Her voice, thick with sleep and confusion, murmured, “You’re back?”

Dennis looked down at her bleary eyes, his voice gentle, almost tender. “Yeah, I’m back. Sorry it’s so late. You must be exhausted. Let’s get you to bed.”

She didn’t resist, curling against him like a docile kitten as he carried her to her room and laid her on the bed.

What she still couldn’t figure out was why Dennis and Father Benedict were so determined to help her form such powerful connections. And they were powerful. When she’d treated members of the Special Operations Unit, she’d overheard them talking about Mr. Parsons—a man with extraordinary abilities and a legendary reputation. In Cabinda, he was practically revered, not just in the military but among the city’s most influential families as well.

Dennis didn’t explain any of it. But in his eyes, Camila thought she saw a flicker of pain, and something else she couldn’t quite name.

She frowned at him, concerned. “Are you upset tonight?”

“No,” Dennis replied, quickly masking whatever he’d been feeling. “I was just thinking… being with me means you’ll face more than you ever did before. I used to believe that as long as I was there to protect you, that would be enough. But life keeps pushing you forward, whether you want it or not.”

His grandfather’s words still echoed in his mind. The world outside didn’t just criticize him—they were taking aim at Camila, belittling her, tearing her down. He realized, painfully, that he’d let her get hurt. He’d promised himself from the start that he’d never let her suffer, and yet, all these storms had been brought on by him.

Camila tightened her arms around his neck and smiled softly. “What’s so bad about that? I want this. I like it, actually. Besides, I’m lucky—I have people pushing me forward, and you and Father Benedict have always been there for me. Most people would kill for that chance. And, honestly… with such an incredible boyfriend, how could I not work harder? If I want to stand by your side, I have to keep up, don’t I?”

She tipped her head up, kissed him gently on the lips, and said, “I don’t know what’s bothering you tonight, Dennis. But when I chose to be with you, I knew it wouldn’t always be easy. I was ready for storms on the road ahead. Because it’s you, I have the courage to face anything. Whatever comes our way, I’ll do my best to overcome it. I want to walk beside you—not hide behind you, like some fragile flower. Everyone knows my Dennis deserves the very best. That’s why, no matter what I have to do, I’ll do it gladly.”