The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 210

He wanted nothing more than to grab his older sister and shake some sense into her—what on earth was she thinking?

But the urge faded, replaced by a heavy sense of powerlessness.

All of this, he realized, was his own doing.

If he had shown Winona even the slightest respect—if he'd treated her as his wife, or simply acknowledged her presence—neither his parents nor his eldest sister would have dared to push Winona around like this.

But now, Winona had been filing for divorce for over two months.

And the entire Nicholson family still clung to the belief that Winona would quietly endure their demands, selflessly giving without complaint.

Especially Tiana.

Clutching Felicity's hand, Tiana looked up at Shera with wide, innocent eyes. "I understand, Aunt Shera. I'll do exactly what you said."

Then she turned to Felicity. "Miss Felly, you want me to do this too, don't you?"

Felicity knelt down, her smile gentle and encouraging. "You're such a good girl, Tia. Victor is your family—you don't want to see him suffer, do you?"

Tiana nodded, her face serious. "No, I don't."

"But the truth is, only Winona can help him. Yet she's using this as leverage against your dad and your aunt…"

"My mom… Winona's just so mean!" Tiana stamped her foot in frustration, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Watching her break down like that, Julian felt a stabbing pain in his chest.

Lately, Tiana's personality had become so conflicted.

Late at night, when the house was quiet and everyone else was asleep, Tiana would often plead with him, "Daddy, can you send me to stay with Mommy? Please?"

But during the day, when Felicity or anyone else from the Nicholson family was around, Tiana would take Felicity's side—joining her and Shera in treating her own mother like some kind of enemy.

Julian was terrified.

What kind of person would his daughter grow up to be?

"Tiana, I'm taking you home now," Julian said, gently pulling her from Felicity's embrace.

Felicity looked a little embarrassed. "Julian, Tiana came to the hospital to see Victor."

"The air here isn't good for her. She's had stomach problems lately and she's still weak. She doesn't need to be in a hospital right now." Julian's voice was cold and clipped.

"If you think that's best." Felicity kept her usual poise, pretending not to notice his frosty tone.

Julian took Tiana's hand and walked away without another glance at Felicity, not bothering to ask how she was getting home.

Felicity stood alone in the hospital corridor, feeling more out of place than ever.

Julian led Tiana out of the ward and across the parking lot toward their car. Suddenly, Tiana stopped and tugged at his hand, refusing to go any further.

"What's wrong, Tia?" Julian asked gently.

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Dad, I don't want to be a Nicholson anymore. Can you take me to Mom? I don't care if she ignores me. I just want to be near her. That's enough for me."