Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 887

Dennis looked at her with gentle eyes, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. “You’ve been out all day. Are you tired?” he asked with concern. Lillian beamed at him, her expression pure joy. “Not tired at all!” she chirped. “I made two cups for you and Mommy, with a heart! But the instructor said they need time to be fired, so I can’t give them to you yet. I made them all by myself, and I painted them myself too! When we get them, you and Mommy will love them!” Her voice was brimming with confidence in her creations. Dennis didn't doubt her for a second. “Lillian, you’re so talented! I can’t wait to see them,” he praised. Camila couldn’t help but join in. “Lillian, you know how to make cups now? That’s amazing! You’re better than me. I tried for a whole afternoon and mine still came out lopsided!” Lillian nodded proudly, her eyes shining. “Yep! The teacher taught me. It was so much fun! I want to go again next time!” Dennis smiled and stroked her head, his voice indulgent and fond. “Of course. Next time, Daddy and Mommy will take you.” Lillian’s face lit up with delight. “Really? Then next time, I’ll make some for Grandma and Grandpa! And Sarah, Uncle Larry, Layla… oh, and I’ll make a food bowl for Lightning, too!” Dennis agreed to everything. “You can, Lillian. You can make as many as you want. But since you’ve thought of everyone else, don’t forget to make one for yourself.” “Okay!” Lillian nodded enthusiastically. As they talked, Camila glanced toward Jordan Smith’s car. The man was sitting in the back seat, his expression hidden from view, but the look on Nathan Gates’s face was one of unmistakable awkwardness and frustration. Camila didn’t dwell on it. She simply said to Nathan, “We’ll take Lillian now. Thank you for your trouble today.” Nathan could only manage a weak smile, unsure how to respond. Suddenly, Jordan’s voice carried from the car. “Lillian was very well-behaved, quiet and obedient. She’s changed a lot. She has her own thoughts now, and her personality is much more cheerful. That’s all thanks to you, Camila. Thank you for taking such good care of our daughter.” His tone was unusually gentle, like the warmth of a melting iceberg or the sun on a spring morning. Camila froze for a second. In all the years she had known Jordan Smith, she had never heard him speak like that. If this were the past, she would have been ecstatic over such tenderness. But now, she only felt a strange sense of annoyance. What was wrong with him? And there was something almost deliberate about his gentleness, as if… he was trying to compete with someone. Camila glanced at Dennis beside her and suddenly understood. Dennis’s expression hadn’t changed at all. He maintained a soft smile the entire time. After a moment of silence, Camila decided to ignore Jordan completely. “It’s windy out here,” she said to Dennis and Lillian. “Let’s not just stand around. Let’s go inside.” “Okay!” the little one agreed, tightening her arms around her daddy’s neck. Dennis responded with a warm, “Alright,” then took Camila’s hand, and the three of them walked toward the residential area together. From behind, they truly looked like a warm, happy family of three.