Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 24

Camila Davis did her best to ignore the troublemaker.

Still, she wasn’t exactly comfortable leaving Lillian here.

But her little girl was hugging her favorite pink fox plushie, absolutely beaming with happiness. Camila didn’t have the heart to ruin her mood, so she just stayed close by, keeping an eye on her.

It wasn’t long before Daniel came out, carrying two glasses of juice.

He looked at Camila first.

She met his gaze with a cold, guarded expression.

He acted like he didn’t even notice, turning instead to Jordan Smith, who was working nearby. With a bright smile, Daniel said, “Uncle, I just finished making the juice!”

He lifted one of the glasses. “This one’s for Lillian!”

Jordan took a quick glance and nodded approvingly. “Well, would you look at that? Didn’t know you had it in you, Daniel. Nice job!”

Daniel smiled shyly, lips pressed together. “My mom showed me how…”

Jordan nodded and gestured for him to give it to Lillian.

Camila’s brow creased, her suspicion clear. “What is that?”

Daniel answered sweetly, “It’s orange juice I made myself. I wanted to say sorry to Lillian.”

As he spoke, he pressed the cup into Lillian’s little hands. “Here, sis—try it!”

Lillian’s small fingers awkwardly grabbed the glass, her plushie falling to the floor.

Camila instinctively reached out, a wave of unease prickling at her.

Something about the bright orange drink made her heart race—almost like it wasn’t juice at all, but poison.

“Wait—don’t drink that—” Camila blurted, trying to stop her.

But Daniel was quicker.

He grabbed the other glass and took a huge gulp himself, swallowing it down in one go.

He smacked his lips and grinned, “Wow, this juice is so sweet!”

She turned a furious glare on Sandra Taylor’s son. “What did you put in this juice? Why is it spicy?!”

Daniel, suddenly frightened by her outburst, stumbled back onto the carpet.

His eyes went wide and watery. “I—I don’t know…”

Jordan frowned at the scene. Spicy orange juice? Who the heck had ever heard of such a thing?

He walked over and took the cup from Camila, tasting it for himself.

Sure enough—a mouthful of burning, spicy heat.

He shot Daniel a stern look. “Daniel, what did you mix into the juice?”

“Nothing, just fruit…” Daniel stammered, looking like a deer in headlights. Then it dawned on him. “Wait, maybe it was that green veggie on the counter?”

He wrinkled his little nose, as if baffled. “Is… is there something wrong with it, Uncle Jordan?”

Before Jordan could answer, Daniel mumbled, “I don’t think so… My mom puts it in her smoothies all the time when she’s on a diet.”