Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 878

It was only natural that she wasn’t close to him now. Nathan handed Lillian her small backpack and reminded her, “Stick close to us, okay, Lillian? We don’t want you getting lost.” Lillian nodded, her expression serious. “I won’t. I’m wearing my GPS watch. It has tracking!” “Oh, good. That’s a relief.” Nathan patted her little head, and the group entered the museum. Inside, Lillian didn’t behave like other children who would quickly lose interest. Instead, she meticulously examined the artifacts in the display cases, her focus unshaken by the people around her. Jordan, sitting in his wheelchair, was far less engaged. He kept checking his phone for work messages, his mind preoccupied. As the head of the Smith Group, his time was precious, and he considered wandering through a museum a complete waste, even if he was supposedly trying to bond with Lillian. His presence was physical, but his mind was elsewhere. Nathan, on the other hand, noticed Lillian’s intense concentration as she took out a small notebook from her backpack and started jotting things down. Curious, he leaned in and asked, “Your last painting won a big award, Lillian. Are you looking for inspiration for another competition?” … A short distance away, Camila Davis and Dennis Williams were watching. “Why did Lillian suddenly want to come to a museum?” Camila wondered aloud. Dennis watched the little girl, a smile touching his lips. “Last night, after watching a movie with your parents, she suddenly became interested in jewelry design. She came and asked me if she could learn to draw jewelry. She wants to design gifts for you, me, and her grandparents.” Camila was surprised but also touched. “You don’t think she’s planning a career change to become a jewelry designer, do you?” Dennis chuckled at her incredulous tone. “And why not? She could be a great designer. Lillian is a remarkable child with incredible perseverance. We should support whatever she wants to do, not stifle her creativity. But I don’t think she’ll switch fields. Her greatest passion is still painting. This new interest was sparked by her love for the people around her.” His words filled Camila with pride and gratitude. Her little girl was so thoughtful. Dennis said no more, simply taking Camila’s hand and gently rubbing her fingers. Camila always had poor circulation, and her hands and feet turned to ice in the winter. It never bothered her much, but Dennis worried. He had just managed to warm her hands in the car, but they had grown cold again as soon as they stepped outside. He intertwined their fingers and tucked her hand into the pocket of his overcoat. Camila leaned against him, snuggling into the warmth of his arm. … Back with the other group, Lillian looked up at Nathan and nodded honestly. “I am entering a competition, and I also want to design jewelry for my family.” Nathan glanced at the intricate pieces in the display case, surprised by her ambition. “You know how to do that?” Lillian shook her head. “Not yet, I’m still learning. But when I do, I’ll be able to design things for the people I care about.” Her family was clearly at the center of her world. Nathan wondered if that world included Jordan Smith. After all, she wouldn’t even call him ‘Daddy.’ Not thinking too deeply on it, Nathan continued the conversation. “So, you want to be a jewelry designer when you grow up?” Lillian shook her head again, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. “I want to be a painter! I’ll only design things for the people I love.” Nathan understood immediately and offered a genuine compliment. “Wow, Lillian, that’s so thoughtful of you!” Lillian smiled, seeming to enjoy her conversation with him. Jordan, who had been watching from the side, saw the smile on his daughter’s face and frowned. She hadn’t smiled at him, her own father, all morning, yet she was perfectly friendly with Nathan. His gaze on his assistant turned cold. Lillian didn’t notice, but Nathan did. He knew what was behind Jordan’s icy stare. Though he didn’t want to get involved, his job required it. He sighed inwardly and offered some advice. “Sir, you’ve been separated from Lillian for a long time; you probably don’t know much about her interests. Since you have this rare opportunity today, you should talk to her more, try to rebuild your relationship. No bond improves on its own. Communication is key. What kind of parent takes their child out just to stare at a phone?” Jordan was irritated, especially after hearing Lillian wanted to be a painter—a skill he knew another man had taught her. He thought bitterly, *He’s not her real father, so of course he doesn't care. No matter how he pretends, it’s clear he has no intention of letting an outsider like Lillian inherit his family's business!*