Billionaire's Bastard Daughter

XVI. the feeling of helplessness (draft)

With a closer look, Juliette noticed how Joshua was taller than her despite her being the older one.

Her body froze when Joshua pats her head. "Cheer up," he said awkwardly. "It's almost Christmas. No one should be sad around this time of the year."

After the initial shock, Juliette found the whole situation funny. She's the older one, and yet, he is treating her as if she is a child. Juliette bit her lower lip, so hard to hold back the laughter, that she taste the blood. "Thank you." She could feel her vocals trembled, desperate to not bark out a laugh at the awkward teenager.

Juliette hugs him. "Thank you so much, Joshua." She didn't know whether or not her response was the right response, but at that moment, it felt right.

She could feel a hand pat her back.

It's warm.

She couldn't help, but wonder, if this is what it's like to have a brother. Juliette look up at the embarrassed young man, and smiled.

"Josh?"

A soft voice disrupt the silence.

Juliette turned towards the voice, and a young woman caught her eyes. The first thing Juliette noticed was the blonde hair that falls off her innocent brown eyes. Her petite body fidgets in place, and with a single look anyone can tell the person in front of them grew in a loving sheltered life.

"Why are you here?" Joshua asked.

When Juliette noticed how intense the young woman was staring at her, she took a step back and placed a hand on her face. Near the end of the shopping spree, she noticed how the make-up faded and her bruises returned. Nina covered her up with bandages and end the shopping spree.

When Juliette heard her chuckled lightly, her stomach churn. Is she laughing at her?

"Did I interrupt something?" Juliette was surprised. The tone of her voice didn't match her innocent-like features. Rather it was sharp, and harsh.

"Hailey?" Nina's voice drifts in the air. Everyone turn towards the mansion to see Jada helping Nina down the steps. "Hailey!" She squeals. "What are you doing here, sweetheart?"

Juliette watches at the both of them hug each other. Unlike earlier, the atmosphere took a sharp turn, "I-I-I miss you."

And unlike earlier, her voice was soft and sweet.

Nina looked at Joshua, "Oh, you miss me?"

For a brief moment, Juliette drown out the voices and inhale a deep breath to calm her. She told herself it wasn't a big deal for someone to look down on her, afterall, she face it many times as the daughter of a mistress.

In the past, wives or children, of the man her mother sees often visits her.

Long story short, it always ends up with her mother on the ground with an injured cheek and later, her on the ground.

Hailey nodded, "Yes."

Nina laughed, "Come on in. There are brownies inside."

Joel took her bags.

"Put the bags in the room across from Josh," Nina said. "Sorry, but Juliette is staying in your usual room."