Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1011

“Once a day? Are you kidding me? Where do you even get the nerve?”

Camila could barely hold back her anger. There was no way she was going to sign that ridiculous contract. Lillian was her daughter, hers and hers alone. How dare the Smiths try to dictate her life like this?

Barbara just gave her a careless shrug. “You don’t really get to choose. Remember, your daughter is with us now. Whether you sign or not is up to you.”

That smug look on Barbara’s face made it clear she expected Camila to cave eventually.

Camila’s chest ached with frustration. She took a deep breath, trying to remember what Dennis had told her before she walked in.

“Whatever the Smiths ask for, just agree to it. If things get complicated, I’ll handle it.”

That promise was the only thing keeping her from exploding. Slowly, she forced herself to calm down. She picked up the contract and scanned the terms, just as Barbara had described. It demanded that Camila stay with the Smith family and look after Jordan until his leg was healed.

Camila narrowed her eyes, thinking it through. Finally, she looked up, her decision made.

“Fine. I’ll sign.”

She grabbed the pen and scribbled her name at the bottom.

Barbara’s face lit up with delight. “See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Camila’s expression stayed icy as she tossed the pen and contract onto the table. “I want to see Lillian. Now. I’ve signed your contract, so I need to make sure she’s safe.”

Barbara took the contract, apparently satisfied. “Go ahead. She’s on the second floor, in Jordan’s room. I’m sure you remember the way.”

Camila shot her a cold glare and headed straight upstairs. She knew this house inside and out. She was so focused on seeing Lillian she didn’t notice the sly glint in Barbara’s eyes.

She reached Jordan’s room quickly. The door wasn’t locked. As she pushed it open, expecting to see Lillian, a sudden burst of mist hit her face. The sharp, chemical smell filled her nose and she realized immediately—she’d been set up.

Knockout gas.

Lucas didn’t seem to get why Jordan was so upset. “Mom and Dad are just worried about your leg. They think if you go overseas for treatment, you’ll never recover. This is for your own good.”

Standing behind Jordan, Nathan Gates listened to Lucas’s explanation and just shook his head. Things between Jordan and Camila were already tense. After this mess, there was no way to fix it.

Lucas still didn’t think anything was wrong. He kept pushing. “You’re overthinking it. Right now, your leg is the most important thing. Besides, Camila agreed to this. Why not use this time to get closer?”

Jordan stared at him, unimpressed. The conditions were tempting, but he could already imagine how Camila would react when she woke up.

“That’s enough. Just go,” Jordan said quietly.

Lucas got the hint and left without another word.

Jordan dropped onto the sofa, looking lost in thought. Nathan stayed nearby, waiting in silence. Jordan didn’t know what to do next, so he just sat there, waiting for Camila to wake up.