The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 253

Julian's face tightened at her words. He took a moment to compose himself before speaking again. "It's not the same! They're not related by blood. They can't have that bond. The mother Tiana truly needs is you."

"‘Not related by blood'?" Winona shot back. Before he could answer, she pressed on. "Are my grandmother, Mia, and Zane related to me by blood? No, but our bond is thicker than blood, isn't it? Tiana and I *are* related by blood—we're mother and daughter—but ever since she got a new mother, she's adored her and treated me with nothing but contempt. So, you see, Mr. Nicholson, family has nothing to do with blood."

Julian's patience was wearing thin. "Can't you just go see her for a moment? How can you be so heartless?"

"Heartless?" Winona's laugh was bleak. "In the middle of the night, you and Felicity abandoned her at the hospital. She was so understanding of you two that she called *me* to pick her up. I was terrified for her, so I rushed to the hospital, but she was already gone."

"I had no choice but to go to your house, where I waited outside for the entire night."

"And what was my reward?" she continued, her voice trembling with suppressed rage. "I got to watch your perfect little family of three, happy and whole. You didn't even give me a chance to explain before branding me a homewrecker who came crawling back to ruin your lives. You wanted to make me your nanny, your maid."

"There's a limit to cruelty, Julian. Even an execution is quick, but you just keep twisting the knife."

"The family you saw this morning—my grandmother, Mia, my son, and me—we're a mix of the old, the weak, and the infirm. Who do we dare to be heartless to? Tell me! Who?"

Julian had refused. Though he now knew Winona's address, he was afraid that if he brought Tiana to her, Winona would reject her, and Tiana's fragile heart couldn't handle another blow. The child was too young; she couldn't endure any more trauma. Julian was beginning to realize that the drama between him, Winona, and Felicity was turning Tiana into a hesitant, fearful child. He was filled with regret. The conflicts of the adults had finally poisoned their child.

He had told Tiana, "Sweetheart, Mommy was just rescued, and she doesn't want to see anyone right now. We have to respect her wishes and let her rest. Once she's feeling a little better, we'll go see her, okay?"

Tiana had agreed.

After calming Tiana down, he had come to the hospital to see Frank. He was, in fact, there to discuss the kidnapping. For now, Winona hadn't pressed charges, but if she did, Frank would face prison time.