Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1178

She grinned. “Of course! I’d never do something that silly.” Before she ever loved anyone, she was Audrey Williams first, and her life belonged to herself. She wasn’t about to give it up for anybody. Love was important, sure, but it wasn’t everything. Raised in a family where she was cherished and spoiled, she’d never throw herself away just for a man.

Hearing how calm and clear-headed she was, everyone relaxed.

Charlotte Kelly spoke up, “As long as you remember what you just said, I have no objections. Audrey, you’re my only daughter. When you get to Harrisburg, take care of yourself. If you’re not happy, just come back home.”

Audrey felt her nose sting, and she jumped up to hug her mom. “And you’re my only mom. There’s no way I’d ever leave you behind. Please, stop treating me like a little kid.”

That settled it.

Dennis Williams set his own rule for Lillian. “I’m not going to restrict you, but while you’re in Harrisburg, you have to video call us every day. If you’re upset or unhappy, you can’t hide it from us.”

“Deal!” Audrey agreed right away.

With that, the family meeting wrapped up.

It was official. Audrey was going to Harrisburg. Still, even though everyone had agreed, they didn’t let her leave immediately. They wanted her to stick around a few more days, just to spend time together. Audrey didn’t mind. Before she left, she got her friends together for a little party.

This time, Aurora Robinson and Billy Brown joined in as well. After several days of drama, the tension between them had eased. Aurora was still going on blind dates, so things with Billy weren’t official yet.

At the party, though, Billy was surprisingly sweet, pouring tea for Aurora and cracking nuts for her. The sight made Sarah Brown roll her eyes so hard she thought they might get stuck.

Was this really the same Billy Brown she remembered? The one who was always cold and distant?

She couldn’t resist teasing him. She slid her favorite plate of walnuts toward him. “Hey, big brother, I want some too. Crack a few for me?”

Billy barely looked at her. “What, did your hands stop working, or did you lose your boyfriend?”

Sarah just grinned. “I’ve got both, but I want to eat the ones you crack for me. You’ve never done it, not once.”

Audrey couldn’t help but laugh. “With Aurora on your side, it’s like you’ve got a get-out-of-jail-free card.”

Sarah was delighted. “Seriously, I hope Billy hurries up and wins her over. Having a sister-in-law like Aurora would make my life a dream.”

Camila Davis, sitting quietly nearby, couldn’t help but warn her, “Don’t get too smug. Watch out, or you’ll end up in trouble. Billy isn’t someone you want to mess with.”

Sarah just giggled. “Don’t worry, I know exactly what I’m doing.” After all these years of getting bossed around by Billy, she knew how to handle him.

The topic soon shifted to Audrey’s upcoming trip.

Sarah let out a dramatic sigh. “I don’t have many friends left in Cabinda. Why do you have to leave so suddenly? Not knowing when you’ll be back makes me really sad.”

Audrey hadn’t felt sad about leaving before, but something about the way Sarah said it made everything feel so real, and a little bittersweet.