The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 179

The word "Mom" from Tiana's lips made Winona's heart clench.

She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at that small, hopeful figure.

Helga, Mia, Zane, and Wesley all paused as well, their eyes following Tiana.

The little girl gazed at her mother, longing shining in her eyes.

"Are you calling for Mom just so she can come back and be your housemaid again?" Zane's expression was solemn as he looked at Tiana. "Mom's not going to do that."

Before Tiana could answer, he pressed on, his voice almost trembling. "Last time you asked Mom to come work as your housekeeper, she cried alone under the covers for hours. She was so upset, she got sick. Please, Tiana, don't ever ask Mom to do that again. I'm begging you."

Tiana's voice was barely a whisper. "I… I won't ever say something like that again."

No one had ever taught her how deeply words could wound her mother.

She'd talked about inviting her mom to live with them as the maid, discussed it with Dad, Grandma, and Miss Felly. They'd all said that as long as her mom agreed, they were fine with it.

They'd even said, given how persistent her mom was with the Nicholson family, she'd probably jump at the chance.

But no one ever told her how much it would break her mother's heart.

Truthfully, Tiana had never thought her mom's sadness was a big deal. She used to think it was just her mother being dramatic.

Why should her mother's hurt feelings matter to her?

But after falling ill and spending time in the hospital, she learned the truth. Her aunt, who always called her mom a "bad person," never visited, only cared for Victor. Grandma complained endlessly, even as she looked after her. Dad and Miss Felly were too busy to come at all. Only then did Tiana realize—her mother was the only person in the world who truly loved her.

No one else's love could compare.

And yet, she'd lied to her mother, hurt her, pushed her away until her mother was too afraid to come close anymore.

One day, Ms. Murphy, the housekeeper, had quietly told her, "A child who sides with outsiders and bullies her own mother will end up lonely and miserable. If you drive your mom away, who'll love you like she does? Miss Felly? Your grandma or aunt? If they care so much, why don't they look after you when you're sick?"

Tiana realized then how foolish she'd been.

Tiana was still too young to choose for herself. No matter how hard Winona fought in court, she'd never win custody from Julian.

Even if Tiana could choose, Winona knew her daughter wouldn't pick her. Tiana's attachment to Felicity ran far deeper than any bond with her birth mother.

As for why Tiana was saying she wanted to live with her now, Winona couldn't help but suspect Felicity was behind it—using Tiana to hurt her again.

Winona's heart had been wounded too many times. She wasn't sure she could survive another blow.

Helga and Mia couldn't bear to watch any longer.

Mia shot Winona a glare. "That's too much, Winona!"

Helga's eyes were sharp with disapproval. "I want to bring my great-granddaughter home. There's plenty of space, and I can sleep on the couch if I have to."

Winona could only shake her head helplessly. "If Tiana truly wanted to be with me, I'd risk everything to take her away. But she doesn't. She's still on Felicity's side. If we forced her to come with us, it would destroy all four of us. I have nothing left to bargain with Yves Prescott. When the time comes, who will save us?"