The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 35

She sat frozen for a moment, numb with shock.

A few seconds later, she tried Julian's number for what felt like the hundredth time. She had to be sure—was Tiana with him? Was she safe?

She had to know.

But on the other end of the line, the automated voice answered, "The number you have dialed does not exist."

Julian had blocked her.

Panic for Tiana blazed through her, consuming everything else.

With no way to reach him, Winona had no choice but to drive to Julian's house herself.

When she arrived, the place was cloaked in darkness.

Had everyone gone to bed?

Or were they not home at all?

Or—worse—had something happened to Tiana, and Julian was out searching for her even now?

The more Winona thought about it, the more terrified she became. Her hands shook so badly on the steering wheel that she could barely hold on.

Regret clawed at her insides.

Back when she first found out she was pregnant with Tiana, Winona had already realized that no matter what she did, she could never warm Julian's cold heart. Still, she'd hoped that once the baby was born, maybe—just maybe—he'd feel something for her.

She'd tried to use the child to tether Julian to her.

All she wanted was to be loved, to have a family. In her desperation, she'd been selfish.

She never should have brought Tiana into this world.

If anything happened to her little girl, no amount of pain or punishment could ever make up for it. Even if her own heart was burned, cut to pieces, or torn to shreds, it wouldn't be enough.

That night, with autumn's chill pressing in, felt endless—like she'd aged a million years in a single heartbeat.

She didn't sleep at all.

They'd never actually met her until now.

Red-eyed, fighting back tears, Winona pleaded, "Where's my daughter? Please—just tell me, is she safe?"

The housekeeper hesitated, unsure how to answer.

Last night, they'd seen on the security footage that the little princess had snuck into Mr. Nicholson's car and gone with him to the hospital. Neither he, Miss Shepherd, nor the little girl had come home since.

"Please don't worry, ma'am," the housekeeper said gently. "Mr. Nicholson is still at the hospital. We called him last night as soon as we saw the little princess had followed him. If he hasn't come home, it means she's still with him, and she's safe. Would you… like a jacket? It's cold out here—I can fetch one for you."

Winona shook her head. "No, thank you. You go on inside—I'll wait here. I need to see my daughter with my own eyes before I can breathe easy."

The housekeeper sighed quietly, then slipped away.

Winona waited another two hours.

At nine in the morning, Wesley called.