The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 383

A five-year-old child cannot yet distinguish between good and evil. She cannot grasp the profound truth that life is full of disappointment.

Yet here she was, in her own home, in the dead of night, tasting the cold indifference of the world. How could a five-year-old be expected to navigate such complex emotions with the maturity of an adult?

All she could do was stand helplessly on the stairs, stifling her sobs, terrified that her father and Felicity would see her. She turned and tiptoed back to her room. The moment the door clicked shut, a wave of terror washed over her, and she began to cry in earnest.

Since her mother had moved out, no one told her stories anymore. Neither her father nor Felicity tucked her in each night, their arms wrapped around her, telling her wonderful tales the way her mother used to. Not only did they not tell her stories, they didn't even consider her part of the family.

It turned out she was just as unwanted in this house as her mother had been.

Her father, so consumed with Felicity and the babies in her belly, hadn't even noticed her grief. Felicity wouldn't spare her a second glance. Everything before had been an act. Her scolding and disgust earlier tonight—that was the real her.

Tiana now understood. Felicity didn't just dislike her; she would treat her like a little servant. Her relatives would, too. Tonight, Tiana felt the heart-wrenching sting of being treated like an outsider, like the help, in her own home. A deep sense of humiliation settled over her.

She suddenly remembered, months ago, when she had begged and pleaded for her own mother to come home and work as a maid for her, for her father, for Felicity. How must her mother have felt then? Surely her humiliation was a thousand times worse than this.

Was her mother still hurting? Did she even remember she had a daughter named Tiana?

In that moment, Tiana missed her mother more than anything. She wished she could throw herself into her mother's arms and never, ever let go.

Sobbing uncontrollably, Tiana picked up her smartwatch and called Winona. A recorded voice answered: *The number you have dialed is not in service.*

In her distress, the five-year-old had forgotten. Her parents had finalized their divorce over a video call more than a month ago. Everything had been settled. She had been awarded to her father. Her mother had told her the moment they left the courthouse that they were no longer connected.

Sure enough, Zane's call went through. A small smile broke through Tiana's tears. A wave of warmth spread through her chest. Zane hadn't blocked her!

*Please pick up, Zane! Tiana misses you.*

The watch rang a dozen times, but there was no answer. The call disconnected automatically.

Undeterred, Tiana tried again. It rang and rang, but Zane still didn't pick up.

On Zane's bedside table, the smartwatch vibrated, its buzzing sound filling the quiet room.