Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1177

The topic dropped, leaving a heavy silence over the table. Audrey barely tasted another bite, her appetite gone.

Dennis, who had always had a soft spot for Audrey, noticed how quiet she was. After dinner, he found Charlotte Kelly and sat down for a serious talk.

Charlotte saw him coming and knew right away what he wanted. Before Dennis could say a word, she jumped in. “You’re here to speak up for Audrey, aren’t you? But I can’t agree to her going to Harrisburg. You all think she just wants to have fun, but that’s not it. The real reason is Walter Wilson. You probably didn’t notice, but she liked him from the moment he visited Cabinda. I know how girls think, better than any of you men ever could. You know how worried your uncle Douglas and I are about her health. We don’t care if she gets married or not. All we want is for her to stay healthy, for the rest of her life. Even if there’s nothing going on between her and Walter now, I still can’t let her go off to Harrisburg.”

Dennis was surprised. He honestly hadn’t realized Audrey had feelings for Walter.

He sat next to Charlotte, thinking it over, then said, “Walter’s been gone from Cabinda for a while now. If Audrey still can’t let him go, the more you try to stop her, the more she’ll want to go. Maybe it’s better just to let her. If it works out, that’s up to fate. As for the issue of children, I don’t think the Wilsons are as obsessed with that as you think.”

Charlotte hesitated, her tone softening. “Why do you say that? The Wilsons are a big family. Of course they’d want children.”

Dennis nodded, then explained, “Remember when Walter liked Camila? Even though she was divorced and had Lillian, he never gave up. The Wilsons didn’t stand in his way, and I heard Walter’s mother even supported him. They had to know that if Camila remarried, she’d bring Lillian with her. They still encouraged Walter to go after her. So I think, if they could accept Camila, why not Audrey?”

Charlotte shook her head. “That’s not the same. Camila might have Lillian, but she can still have another baby. Audrey’s different. Maybe she could get pregnant, but I’m scared her body wouldn’t handle it…”

The Williams family had always wanted to protect Audrey from taking risks.

Dennis understood. “We all want what’s best for her, but she has a right to choose for herself. Instead of putting your foot down and pushing her away, why not sit down and be honest with her? Let her know the risks and let her decide. She’s an adult, smart and sensible. Forbidding her isn’t the answer.”

Audrey spoke seriously, meeting her mother’s gaze and answering every concern. That’s when Charlotte realized maybe she’d underestimated her daughter. Audrey understood herself and her situation even better than the rest of them.

The elder Mr. Williams and Douglas, who had been ready to lecture her, softened when they heard her out.

“If you want to go, then go,” Douglas said gently. “Young people should be allowed to chase their dreams.”

Her grandfather added, “Even if things don’t work out, don’t be afraid. We’re all here for you. No matter what happens, this family is always your home, always your safe place. But Audrey, you have to promise us, if you ever get hurt or feel lost, you’ll come back. You’re loved here, and we’ll always be behind you. Don’t ever think about giving up on yourself just because of a setback, okay?”

Audrey hadn’t expected them to be so supportive. Her heart felt lighter, filled with warmth.