Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 841

Camila had just arrived at the hospital a few minutes ago. Melissa was being wheeled out from her X-ray. A short while later, the results came back. “It’s not a serious fall,” the doctor said. “There are no broken bones, just a sprain. She’ll need to rest at home and avoid putting any strain on her back.”

Camila nodded, examining the X-rays herself. It wasn’t severe, but her mother’s back had been weak from years of hard work. This fall would mean a long recovery. “Thank you, Doctor. We understand.”

She was about to go get the prescription filled when she saw them—the Smiths, along with a newly arrived Jordan and Nathan Gates.

Barbara hadn’t seen her yet and was complaining loudly to Jordan. “She’s definitely faking it. I barely touched her, and she just threw herself on the ground. She’s just trying to get attention, making up a story so we can’t see Lillian. It’s a trick, Jordan. Don’t fall for it. People from her background will do anything for money…”

Camila was already furious about her mother’s injury. Hearing Barbara not only deny responsibility but also slander her mother sent her into a rage. In the past, she had respected Barbara as her mother-in-law and had tolerated her endless criticisms. But now, they were no longer family, and Barbara had dared to harm her mother and spread lies.

Camila would not tolerate it any longer.

Her face a mask of cold fury, she strode forward, grabbed Barbara by the collar, and shoved her to the ground.

“Ah!” Barbara, completely caught off guard, shrieked as she fell. The pain was sharp, but her anger was sharper. “Who did that?”

Nathan helped Barbara to her feet. She was unhurt, but her pride was wounded. “What do you mean, kidnap? I was visiting my granddaughter! What right do you have to stop me?” Her voice was shrill, attracting the attention of passersby.

But Barbara was beyond caring about making a scene. “You and Jordan may be divorced, but Lillian still has Smith blood in her veins. That is an undeniable fact! As her grandmother and father, we have the right to see her, to care for her. What gives you the right to stand in our way?”

A bitter laugh escaped Camila’s lips. “What gives me the right? I think anyone with a shred of decency would be too ashamed to even ask that question. Have you forgotten how you used to treat her? You questioned her paternity, accused me of being unfaithful to your son. You were disgusted by her psychological condition, ashamed to be seen with her. You said she wasn’t as smart as other children, and you hurt her with your disdain. You preferred to dote on a child who wasn’t even related to you rather than give Lillian a single glance, a single kind word. And now you ask me what gives me the right?”

Her eyes were like chips of ice. “I was the one who found her a psychologist. I was the one who spent countless hours helping her heal. Now that she’s finally recovered, now that she’s happy and her brilliance is starting to show, you come crawling back, pretending to care? Don’t you feel disgusted with yourselves? You treat her like a trophy, a tool to boost your own egos. You talk about the blood in her veins, but you chose a child with no blood ties over her.”