Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 364

Patrick didn’t bother hiding anything anymore. He laid it all out for him—the rough years Camila Davis had endured with the Smith family.

By the time Patrick finished, Mr. Morris’s eyebrows were knotted so tightly they looked practically twisted.

Patrick went on, “Young folks, they’re stubborn as all get out. You can talk till you’re blue in the face, but they won’t listen. Only after they’ve hit rock bottom do they finally wise up.

Ms. Davis, she acted from the heart back then—and no, it wasn’t about money, or chasing after some fancy lifestyle.

Truth is, Jordan Smith broke her heart. That’s when she finally saw him for who he really was.

After the divorce, she raised her child alone. I’d bet good money she’s had a rough go of it.

You didn’t want to see her, so you wouldn’t know, but I just saw her with my own eyes—she’s lost a lot of weight, not at all like she used to be. There’s a seriousness to her now. I’d say that marriage put her through the wringer.”

Patrick’s voice was full of sympathy for the younger woman.

And if Patrick felt this bad just hearing about Camila’s story, how much worse must it be for Mr. Morris, who loved her like his own daughter?

Finally, the old man—who’d been fuming just moments before—let his gaze drift over to the gifts Camila had brought.

Whether it was the fine Darjeeling tea, the vintage teapot, or the little antique figurines, it was clear she’d put real thought into every single thing. And every one of them was something he liked.

Patrick had been right about that.

“And it’s not just today,” Patrick continued. “All these years, that girl’s been sending you care packages—holiday treats, birthday gifts, you name it. Never missed a Thanksgiving or a Christmas.

But I get it. You were upset, so I kept quiet about it.”

At this, Patrick pulled out a folder from the pile of gifts—a document tucked among the wrapping.

He glanced at it and immediately knew what it was.

He slid it across the table to Mr. Morris. “Take a look at this.”

Mr. Morris accepted it in silence. His face was impassive, but he seemed less resistant now. He flipped it open and saw it was a career plan—Camila’s, along with the current status of her studio, and a detailed map of where she wanted to take it in the future.

It was thorough—painstakingly so. He read it for a long, long time.

Meanwhile, Camila had no idea any of this was happening.

When she got home, her mood was still at rock bottom. The disappointment was written all over her face, so much so that Sarah Brown and little Lillian noticed the moment she walked in.

The two of them, one tall and one tiny, hurried over, concern on their faces.

“Camila, what happened? You look upset.”

The little one chimed in, her voice sweet and worried, “Mommy, are you sad?”

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