The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Dawn POV

"Mummy" Faith's voice was solemn as we exited the vehicle, clinging onto each other's hands, while I silently thanked the driver with a subtle nod of gratitude, "I really like that man."

"I saw that," I said quietly, as I opened the door and slid inside the apartment, Faith following obediently behind me with a yawn "But Faith you can't just go around declaring you want people to be your father," I said with a little bit of exasperation, my cheeks flushing bright pink as I remembered what she had said.

"But I don't" she protested shaking her head "Just lan. I want a father," she said as I stared at her helplessly "I want one that cares about me."

Her voice was small, causing tears to come to my eyes.

I closed my eyes. There was the rub. Faith wanted not just a father figure, but a man who knew how to treat her like the princess she deserved to be treated as. For so long I had been under the assumption she was unaware of her own father's disinterest and today it had all come surging to the surface that she knew more than I ever thought she was capable of. It was true that children heard more than we gave them credit for. I should have been more careful when discussing her father with my mother. "Faith, your father...." I spread my hands out helplessly, not knowing what to say "he's just..." I trailed off.

I didn't have the heart to continue lying to her but it was necessary, to spare her feelings. I just wished I didn't have to lie at all. She deserved better than this.

She blinked her eyes at me. I wanted to curse out loud. Instead, I forced a smile on my face "Your father cares, he's just busy" I told her gently "and he tries to see you whenever he can."

"You're lying" I flinched at the accusation as she stared at me without blinking, those big baby blue eyes of hers narrowed as she fixated her gaze on me "he just doesn't care. I hear you and Grandma talking all the time about him when you think I'm sleeping." Oh, baby, I thought wretchedly, bending down and kneeling in front of her. I should have been far more careful with my tongue when I knew that little girl's ears were listening nearby. Enjoy this chapter for free and stay updated with the latest version on Jo b n I b.c Om. Don't miss out, visit it now. "Faith, try to understand" I whispered "It's not that easy. You can't just wave a hand at somebody and magically make them your father. I wish it worked that way" I forced a laugh "but honey it's not possible. I know you had fun with lan today."

"He's fun and he's kind" she interrupted, her lower lip quivering "and he doesn't treat me like I'm stupid."

I flinched at that remark. "You're not stupid," I told her, giving her a gentle embrace "And what you did do today with lan? That man has never smiled as much as he did spending time with you today. You have a special touch Faith" I said as she nuzzled into me "and you managed to make lan have a good time today. If I could give you a father like lan I would" I admitted, stroking her hair and pushing back a loose tendril behind her ear with tenderness "But life doesn't always work that way" I sighed.

She sighed too and put her backpack down, glancing around the small apartment with a wrinkled nose. "But if lan was my father we could live in that big mansion," she said with a dramatic sigh as I fought back my laughter. "Save it," I told her in amusement "there's nothing wrong with our place, other than it's a lot smaller than lan Grant's."

She smiled sheepishly. "Now what about something for dinner?" I suggested, letting go of her hand and awkwardly making my way to the refrigerator "How about some um, hot dogs?" I pretended to think about it, giving her a sidelong glance.

As distractions went it was highly effective as Faith happened to love hot dogs. "Hot dogs" she squealed, plinking herself down onto the couch and turning the television on "Yummy" she beamed.

Thank goodness, it had done the trick. If only everything was this easy when it came to life, I mused.

I laughed softly to myself and began to make dinner, while Faith put on her trusty cartoons. I sent my mother a message to ensure she was alright and was promptly assured she was fine, just under the weather but would be fine to watch Faith for me tomorrow. I began to put Faith's hot dogs onto the plate when the doorbell rang. I wiped my hands on the teatowel frowning. Who could that be, this late at night? Mother was too sick to have made the trip, or at least I hoped she had the good sense to stay in bed. I held my hand up to prevent Faith from getting off the sofa as she stared expectantly at the door, passing her the plate which she put carefully next to her.

"I'll get it" I warned her as she wriggled impatiently on the couch, her eyes sliding to the door.

I knew better than to just open the door. I put my eye on the peephole and saw a delivery driver standing there. I frowned and then cautiously opened the door slightly. "Can I help you?" I asked, as the man turned and thrust a large bouquet of flowers towards me. "Delivery for Miss Dawn," he said calmly.

"That's me," I said confused as I took the large bouquet of roses, and a smaller one as well.

"Excellent" the man grinned, showing off his pearly white teeth "That means my job is done. Just sign on the dotted line here, here, and here" he pointed, as I shakily signed my name "and I'm off. Enjoy the flowers" he called out cheerfully. "Wait" I yelled out, causing the young man to pause in his tracks "Is there a card or something?"

Who would have sent flowers to my home? It couldn't be him, could it? I could feel my heart racing at the very idea that it might be from lan Grant.

He raises a brow and then points at the bouquet "in the front" he winks at me and then proceeds to leave as I bring the bouquets inside.

The smaller bouquet has a card labeled with Faith's name. Faith claps her hands together, as I gently hand it to her. "These are mine?" she asks excitedly.

I nod "Apparently" I grumble, pointing at the card, which Faith begins to pull out of the bouquet with enthusiasm.

I grab my own card from my bouquet, marveling at the beauty of the flowers and the delicate aroma of its perfume. The roses are a mixture of beautiful purple and peach colors. Purple happens to be one of my favorite colors and roses. I open the card with trembling hands.

Dawn.

Thank you for such a lovely time today. It was wonderful meeting Faith.

From lan.

I raised a brow. Faith eagerly tugged on my sleeve, causing me to look down as she handed me her card.

"What's it say?" she asked beaming.

For Faith

The most beautiful little princess ever

Love from lan

I could feel my throat closing up. Faith was clutching at the card now, holding it to her chest. I could feel a lone tear trailing down my cheek. Ian had no concept of what he had just done. No notion of how he had just made a little girl's day with such a simple and beautiful gesture. Faith's face was shining as she looked at her bouquet. I had never seen her look happier. My hand closed around my own bouquet as I carried it into the kitchen, finding a vase for it. "Mummy can I have mine in my room" Faith's excited voice permeated my senses "Please" she pleaded with big eyes "I want to see them when I go to sleep."

How could I refuse such a simple and heartfelt request? A soft smile came to my lips. "Of course, but go and eat your dinner, before it gets cold" I admonished her with a slightly shaky voice.

She practically skipped back to the sofa, sitting with her bouquet on one side and her plate on the other. She nibbled away at the hot dogs, her glance going to her flowers on and off, a wide smile on her face. I sat down with my own plate, lost in my thoughts. Was this meant to be more than just a simple gesture? I was attracted to lan Grant there was no doubt about it. I bit my lip, unable to think clearly. Part of me felt this might just be a simple gesture but another part of me wanted it to be more than that. I wanted it to be romantic. I wanted him to be declaring he wanted to date me. I knew he was hesitant. I knew it was wrong to date an employer. But when you had this much chemistry with someone when it felt right to be spending time in their presence, did you ignore it because of what society demanded of you, or did you throw caution to the wind and decide that love should take priority over everything else?

Once upon a time, I had played by the rules. I had done everything right. I had obeyed the rules, done everything expected of me and it had ended in tears and a child for me to raise practically on my own. I would never wish I hadn't had Faith because my little girl was everything to me, but past experience had taught me that being good or doing what society expected of you, merely made you a fool.

I pushed aside my plate, my appetite forgotten. Ian's charcoal eyes and his dark hair burned into my mind. A wistful smile appeared on my face. People would say I liked him because of his wealth, or because of his powerful connections, but that was further from the truth. Ian was intelligent, compassionate, kind, and had a quiet resolve that lurked beneath the surface. I could sense his inner turmoil and it killed me. This man was more than what everyone gave him credit for. I saw the man beneath the exterior, the one that many barely got a look at. I didn't care about his money. I cared about him. I cared about his family who could never seem to do enough for him. I cared full-stop. But was this going to scare lan away? If I finally just admitted out loud that there was an attraction there, a spark igniting within me, would it cause him to run or would it encourage the man to gather up his resolve and fight for the happiness that was awaiting all of us if we just had the courage to turn and face it? I would never know, I thought grimly, as I glanced at Faith's bowed head while she ate, unless I tried. In the end, either I or lan would have to put words to what we were feeling, but who would go first and would it end up being a mistake?