The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 194

"Pfft… It's true, all three of them—if I don't come home tonight, they'll worry themselves sick." Winona gave Yves Prescott an apologetic smile. "I'll head back for now. Once I finish up some things at the office tomorrow, I'll come visit you."

"Alright."

After saying goodbye to Yves, Winona left the hospital.

She walked to the front gates and pulled out her phone to order an Uber.

Just as she finished inputting her location, a car pulled up beside her. Xander leaned out the window. "Winona, let me give you a ride home. No need to wait for a car—it's five o'clock, peak rush hour. You could be standing here for twenty minutes and still not get a ride."

Winona shook her head. "That's really not necessary, Mr. McCarthy."

Her refusal was brisk and firm.

But Xander didn't pull away.

He tried again, "My car's pretty comfortable—at least you could rest for a bit. Those Ubers never have decent seats, and you look exhausted. Even if you don't consider me a friend, I can drop you off at the neighborhood next to yours. You don't have to worry about anything then, right?"

"No," Winona insisted.

Xander fell silent, then gave a sheepish smile. "Alright then." He drove off.

Winona turned back to her phone.

But just as Xander had warned, no cars were available. There'd been an accident on the highway earlier, so the hospital was busier than ever, and now with everyone getting off work, the city was crawling with people trying to get home.

She waited a full twenty minutes, each time raising her offer, but still couldn't get a driver.

Her feet were aching from standing so long, and frustration gnawed at her.

Suddenly, a car rolled to a stop in front of her. The window came down—Xander again. "Told you, didn't I? This time of day, it's almost impossible to get a ride."

Winona stared at him in disbelief. "Mr. McCarthy, how… Didn't you already leave?"

"I took a lap around the block—figured if you were still here, you hadn't been able to get a car. If you were gone, then great, problem solved." Xander's voice was gentle.

After a pause, he finally spoke. "It's not just because of Felicity. Honestly, I respected you from the moment I saw you help that man at the hospital. Before I even knew you were Julian's wife—just seeing how you delivered that ointment to Mr. Johnston's nephew, that changed my opinion of you."

"Thank you."

Finally, Xander voiced the question that had been gnawing at him. "Why are you so… tolerant with Felicity? Why let her get close to your husband?"

He needed to understand—maybe then he could actually help her. And maybe, help Felicity too.

Winona's voice was soft, almost resigned. "First of all, Julian doesn't love me. He's never acknowledged our marriage publicly, and he and Felicity… they really do love each other. Besides, Felicity's always believed I stole sixteen years of her life."

Xander frowned. "You… stole her life? What do you mean?"

She looked out the window, her voice quiet and even. "I grew up with the Shepherds—Felicity's parents. I called them Mom and Dad too. But when I turned sixteen, they found out I wasn't their biological daughter. They threw me out and made it clear I could never use the family name again."

Xander was stunned, so shocked he forgot to drive. "Wait—what did you just say?"