Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 789

Lillian was so persistent that Dennis Williams had no choice but to agree—he’d tell her a bedtime story tonight.

Instantly, Lillian’s mood brightened. She bounced over to her father, beaming. “I’m off to take my bath! Daddy, wait for me, okay?”

Dennis smiled indulgently. “Alright, I’ll be here.”

He watched his little girl dash away, tugging her grandmother along.

At that moment, Jerry Davis and Mr. Morris exchanged a few pointed glances his way, as if to ask, “So, you’re really staying the night?”

Dennis met their eyes calmly. “Once Lillian’s asleep, I’ll head out.”

Mr. Morris gave him a knowing look. “I suppose this isn’t your first time staying over, is it?”

Jerry Davis added with a hint of amusement, “Funny, I keep noticing a few sets of guest clothes in the spare room. Wonder who those belong to.”

Their words were loaded with meaning, but they left the rest unspoken.

Once the two elders had gone inside, Camila Davis lingered in the hallway, cheeks tinged pink, her eyes betraying a mix of embarrassment and shyness.

Dennis, on the other hand, couldn’t help but grin. “Didn’t hide it very well, did we?”

Camila moved closer, gaze lowered. “No point trying. Besides, they’ve all been there themselves.”

Their relationship was an open secret among the family; she’d never seen the need to keep it hidden.

Her candor made Dennis’s heart soar. He reached out and gently pinched her earlobe, teasing her as one might play with a kitten.

Camila shivered, hastily pulling his hand away. She shot him a playful, reproachful look. “Everyone’s here!”

Chuckling, Dennis let it go and simply took her hand in his.

They stood together for a while before heading inside.

With Lillian busy in the bath, Jerry Davis, with time to kill, turned to Dennis. “Care for a game, Mr. Williams? I heard you just managed to charm Mr. Morris. Let’s see how you handle me.”

Dennis smiled. “It would be my pleasure.”

They settled in at the chessboard, soon locked in a fierce match.

Camila busied herself nearby, fixing Mr. Morris a calming herbal tea as she watched the game unfold.

She knew a bit about chess—enough to recognize that Dennis was always a step ahead, as if he’d mapped out ten moves in advance. No matter how her father played his black pieces, Dennis had an answer for everything.

Unsurprisingly, Jerry lost.

“Impressive, really impressive!” Jerry exclaimed, thoroughly pleased.

He’d always imagined, back when his daughter first married, that someday he’d share a game of chess with his son-in-law. But the Smith family, with all their pride, had never given him the chance. Jordan Smith certainly wouldn’t have wasted his time on such things.

But now, this young man had completely won him over—with nothing but his skill and sportsmanship.

Yes, he thought, this is a son-in-law I can respect.

Just then, Melissa George came downstairs with a freshly-bathed Lillian.

Dennis glanced at the time—it was late. He didn’t suggest another game. Instead, he stood up and addressed the elders. “Mr. Davis, let’s call it a night. I’ll take Lillian to bed.”

Jerry waved him off with a smile. “Go on, take care of her.”

He still wanted to replay the moves in his mind.

Dennis nodded politely to Jerry, Mr. Morris, and the others, then scooped Lillian up in his arms.