The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 267

Winona hadn't seen Tiana in over two weeks. The last time had been at the hospital, the day Tiana was discharged. They had hidden behind some bushes, and she hadn't gotten a clear look at her. Now, seeing her up close, she noticed the child had lost weight.

A sharp pain lanced through Winona's heart, especially seeing the tears welling in Tiana's eyes. She desperately wanted to pull her daughter into her arms.

But she didn't move. She remembered the time Tiana had lied to her, and the time at her and Zane's joint birthday party when Tiana had publicly humiliated her. Each memory was a fresh stab to the heart. Besides, Julian had taught Tiana to distance herself from her own mother, to hate her. His goal had been to make it easier for Tiana to accept Felicity. And he had succeeded. Winona had seen Tiana and Felicity together many times, acting like a real mother and daughter. Their little family of three was perfect. Tiana would grow up without the awkwardness and insecurity of having a stepmother.

That was a good thing.

"Tiana, little princess," Winona said, her voice polite but distant, "there's something I need to tell you. I'm not your mommy. Felicity is your mommy. She's your real mommy."

"No!" Tiana shrieked through her tears. "No, she's not! Waaaaah…"

Winona was at a loss. She could remain calm and composed in front of anyone, but not her own daughter.

The housekeeper, Sue, heard the crying and came downstairs. Seeing Tiana standing in front of Winona, she immediately understood the situation. She took Tiana's hand and asked gently, "Little princess, why are you crying?"

She figured Felicity had probably already gotten the wrong idea when she answered Julian's phone. And earlier, outside the hospital, when she was surrounded by reporters, Julian had shielded her in front of everyone. She had heard him tell the chaotic crowd, "This is my wife!"

But who would believe him? The gossip-hungry media only wanted a juicy story. The truth didn't matter. No one had heard him say, "I'm protecting my wife!" Even she herself had found the word "wife" jarring.

The mob had thrown rotten vegetables, most of which had hit Julian, but he had managed to get her safely to the car. Once inside, she had felt incredibly awkward and told him she wanted to go home. He hadn't argued, but when they reached her apartment building, they found it surrounded by even more reporters.

She couldn't go home. Julian had made a split-second decision and brought her, Helga, Mia, and Zane back to his house. The first thing he did was go upstairs to change his clothes, which were stained and dirty. "You still have some clothes here," he had told her. "I didn't touch them after you left. You should change too."