Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 369

Camila Davis patiently guided Lillian, showing her each step with gentle encouragement. The little girl followed along obediently, her soft hair bouncing, eyes wide and curious—so adorable and eager to please that Isabella’s smile was full of warmth.

Isabella had never married, pouring her whole life into her career. She’d always assumed she’d never have children. So, to be blessed with such a sweet little apprentice in her later years? She couldn’t have been happier.

She turned to the group and announced, “Since Lillian’s officially my student now, it’s only right for me, as her mentor, to give her a little something.”

With that, Isabella disappeared into her study and returned holding a beautiful violin. She handed it to Lillian, saying, “This is my welcome gift to you. From now on, it’s yours.”

Camila, though no expert in music, could tell from just looking at the violin that it was worth a small fortune. She hesitated, uncertain if Lillian should accept such a generous present.

Dennis Williams, who’d been quietly observing, actually looked quite pleased. He recognized the violin immediately—it was crafted by a renowned luthier from Europe, a man who’d started making instruments simply because his wife loved music. The craftsman had spent his whole life perfecting his art, and this violin had once fetched nearly a million dollars at auction. Its value must have appreciated even more by now.

For Isabella to gift it away so freely showed just how much she valued the little girl.

Dennis ruffled Lillian’s hair and gently reminded her, “When someone gives you a special gift, what do you say?”

Lillian nodded right away, gazing up at Isabella with her bright eyes and chirping in her sweet little voice, “Thank you, Ms. Hill!”

Isabella’s heart melted a little more. She beamed at Lillian. “Take good care of it, will you? I hope that one day, you’ll use it to play music that brings joy to others.”

“I promise!” Lillian answered, nodding earnestly. “I’ll practice lots!”

That afternoon, Isabella, still glowing with happiness, invited everyone to stay for lunch. She finally had the chance to chat properly with Camila.

That’s when Camila learned something surprising—Isabella was actually a childhood friend of Dennis’s mother. They’d known each other since preschool.

Curiosity twinkling in her eyes, Isabella asked, “So, how did you two meet? I always thought Dennis kept women at arm’s length. I never imagined he’d have such a close female friend.”

Truthfully, Isabella was dying to know what their relationship really was. She’d watched Dennis grow up and had never seen him go to such lengths to introduce someone. She doubted he was just looking for a talented apprentice for her, even if Lillian was wonderful. She’d noticed the way Dennis and Camila interacted—the atmosphere between them was… different. Back in their hometown, he’d never let any of those society girls get close, no matter how persistent they were. He barely even spoke to them.

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