The Billionaire Ex-Wife and the Beggar He Became novel Chapter 389

Seeing the shocked expressions on their faces, Felicity felt a flicker of panic. Normally, she wouldn't dare be so bold with Julian. But the cruise tickets had been given to her in recognition of her achievements. Her senior living project wasn't some high-tech marvel, but it was a tangible benefit to the elderly, a demographic that was only growing. Her plan would be relevant for decades to come. That was why the city had honored her this year.

Though the tickets were technically for The Nicholson Group and her, they were really a testament to her contribution. She didn't want to leave Tiana behind, fearing Julian would resent her. But her brother Jason was dating the daughter of a prominent Port City family. If the Shepherd family was ever going to stand up to Yves Prescott, they needed more than just Julian's support; they needed to be powerful in their own right. If her brother's girlfriend wanted to go, it wouldn't be right to leave anyone else behind. The only option was Tiana.

Felicity also saw this as a test. How obedient had Tiana become? And how tolerant was Julian of her decisions?

"What's wrong, Julian?" Felicity asked, her tone carefully neutral. "I just think Tiana is too young. A cruise like that is for adults. Who knows what people might say after a few drinks? It wouldn't be appropriate for a child to hear."

Her words were cloaked in concern for Tiana, but a shadow fell over Julian's heart. Tiana had cried so hard the other night. Though she had only asked if they still wanted her, he suspected something more had happened to upset her. And now, Felicity wanted to leave Tiana behind to make room for her brother's girlfriend? It only confirmed his suspicions.

A surge of frustration rose within him, but he couldn't lash out at Felicity over something as trivial as a cruise. He suppressed his annoyance and was about to speak when Tiana piped up.

"Daddy, Mommy, I was just about to tell you… I don't really want to go on the cruise. Sue has been taking care of me so much lately, and I want to spend New Year's with her. I'll have other chances to go with you. I'll stay home this time."

No one knew how the five-year-old child managed her heartache, alone in her room. She had been so looking forward to spending New Year's with her father, grandparents, and her new mother. With her real mother gone, the holiday was already a difficult time. If her father, new mother, and grandparents all left her behind, she would truly know what it felt like to be abandoned.

She didn't dare tell her father. She understood with painful clarity that this new mother, the one she had begged for, was here to stay. A fake mother, no matter how sweetly you called her ‘Mommy,' would never truly love you. And there was no way to send her back.

From now on, until she was grown, she would have to live with her new mother. That meant she had to do everything she could to please her. No matter how badly her new mother treated her, she could not fight back.