Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1012

Watching her sleep, so peaceful and quiet, Jordan found his mind wandering. How long had it been since he and Camila had simply existed together in the same space, without saying a word? He remembered coming home from work back then, always seeing her waiting for him, her face lighting up the moment he opened the door. Sometimes, if he was really late, she’d fall asleep on the couch, still trying to wait up for him.

He hadn’t thought much of it at the time. Now, looking back, he realized how much he missed those moments.

Staring at her, that old urge came rushing back. He wanted to keep her by his side, just like this. But before the feeling could settle in, he pushed it down, shoving it deep where it couldn’t hurt him.

About an hour later, the meds finally wore off. Camila groaned, her head pounding as she started to wake. She blinked a few times, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

Jordan was watching her, his voice softer than usual, almost careful. “You’re awake?”

His tone caught her off guard, but as soon as she saw him, anger flashed across her face. “Where am I?”

“You’re in a villa owned by my family,” he answered, not bothering to sugarcoat it.

Her glare only got sharper, disappointment mixing with fury in her eyes. “Jordan Smith, I really thought you had some decency left. I thought you understood what a promise meant. But you can’t even keep the most basic agreement, can you?”

He had known she’d react like this. Truth was, his family was in the wrong this time.

“If I told you I had no idea any of this was happening, would you believe me?” His voice was tired, almost defeated.

Camila let out a bitter laugh. “All I want is Lillian. Give her back. Your family has no right to use her against me.”

Trust? There was nothing left to trust about Jordan Smith. She didn’t buy a single word he said.

Jordan shook his head, almost resigned. “I don’t know where Lillian is, but I promise, I won’t let anyone hurt her.”

“Promises are cheap. What’s the plan here? Play good guy after Barbara drugs me and keeps me away from Lillian? Now you want me to believe you’re on my side? Do you even believe what you’re saying?”

Jordan sighed. He sounded exhausted. “What do you want me to do, then?”

Camila’s eyes were cold. “Bring Lillian to me right now, or get out. Don’t waste my time.”

She almost made it, but two bodyguards stepped out, blocking her way.

“Mrs. Smith gave strict orders,” one of them said. “You’re not allowed to leave.”

So they really were holding her prisoner. The thought made her sick.

Jordan clearly wasn’t happy about his mother’s tactics either, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he tried to reason with Camila. “Just stay and rest tonight. I’ll bring Lillian to you tomorrow, I swear.”

He reached out to help her, but she jerked away, her voice sharp and angry. “Don’t pretend to care. If you were really so kind, you’d let me go.”

One of the bodyguards cut in before Jordan could say anything. “We only take orders from Mrs. Smith.”

Camila was shaking with frustration. There wasn’t a single decent person in this family.

No one budged. The tension in the room kept rising, until finally Nathan Gates stepped forward, trying to calm things down. “Ms. Davis, you’re still recovering. Why not listen to Mr. Smith and rest for now? I’ll stake my life on it, he didn’t know what Mrs. Smith was planning tonight. He only came back to finish up company business before going abroad for treatment. He’s been in meetings all day since he landed…”