Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1013

Camila’s face finally relaxed, just a little. Between Jordan Smith and Nathan Gates, she found herself trusting Nathan more. Maybe it was just a feeling. Maybe she was desperate. Either way, she knew she wasn’t in good shape.

She glanced around the unfamiliar room, somewhere in Harrisburg, but she couldn’t say exactly where. No phone, no way to contact anyone. She doubted the Smiths would be generous enough to lend her a ride so she could find Dennis. If she tried to leave now, she knew she’d only end up worse off.

But even knowing all that, she still couldn’t bring herself to share a room with Jordan. Not after everything.

After weighing her options, she looked at Nathan, her voice cool and steady. “I need a room. And unless I say otherwise, I don’t want to be disturbed.”

Nathan glanced over at Jordan, waiting for a signal. Jordan gave a small nod, so Nathan turned back to her. “Of course. This way.” He led her to a guest room, and as soon as she stepped inside, Camila closed the door behind her and let out a long, shaky breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Nathan didn’t stick around. When he got back downstairs, he leaned close to Jordan and spoke quietly. “Mrs. Smith really went overboard this time. If things keep going like this, I don’t think you and Ms. Davis will ever patch things up.”

Jordan knew it. He rubbed his forehead, looking tired and frustrated. “Find out where Lillian is,” he said.

Nathan nodded. “Right away.” He hesitated at the door. “Should I send something up for Ms. Davis to eat? She probably came straight here when she got the news and hasn’t eaten anything… It’s already past eleven.”

Jordan nodded. “Bring some up for me too.”

“Okay.” Nathan went to take care of it.

Meanwhile, Camila stood by the tall window in her room, staring out at the grounds, looking for any chance to escape. But there were guards everywhere, patrolling the villa. Thick security, like she was some kind of high-profile criminal. Barbara Jones really didn’t want her going anywhere.

Camila couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at herself. She should have seen this coming. If she’d just been a little more careful, maybe she wouldn’t be locked up now. Dennis was waiting for her. He must be worried sick. And Lillian… Camila’s chest tightened. Was she scared? Was she crying for her mom?

She forced herself to calm down, to stop the spiral of anxious thoughts. Dennis had told her he’d come for her. She had to believe it. He would find her. He always did.

Jordan found out she’d opened the door for Nathan, but not for him, and it made his chest ache. She trusted Nathan, but not him. That stung more than he cared to admit.

Across Harrisburg, at the Smith family’s old estate—the house where the elder Mrs. Smith used to live—Lillian was being kept. Barbara Jones, finally done handling things with Camila, came by to check on the little girl. Mason came too, worried Lillian would be frightened or upset.

They expected tears, tantrums, maybe even screaming. But when they walked in, the nanny was calmly playing with Lillian, and Lillian herself looked perfectly composed—like she hadn’t just been taken from her home.

She looked up at them, her eyes steady. “When can I go home? Mommy and my grandparents are going to be really worried.”

The mention of Camila made Barbara’s face tighten. Her voice was cold. “You’re not going back. From now on, you’ll live with the Smith family. This is your home now. I’ll find a new preschool for you, a new place to live. You won’t be seeing your mommy anymore. But I can let you see your daddy.”

Then she realized she was talking to a child, and her tone softened. “Lillian, Grandma brought you here so your mommy and daddy can get back together. A good child should have both parents. I hope you can forget about everything that happened in Cabinda, okay?”