"Here, have another bite," Juliet said, feeding Ella a spoonful of porridge.

She was curled up in her bed, her knees at her breast, her back against her headboard. Juliet was a darling to make out time to come and feed her. Ella had to confess, being fed was very relaxing and enjoyable. She didn't have to raise a spoon. Why?

Someone was doing it for her!

It was probably the best thing that had happened since this disaster struck. Yesterday a few people threw stones at her windows and called her a whore. It broke her to bits being treated in such a devastating manner. But it was her fault for not being smart enough to see what Robert was doing to her.

Later in the evening, she had noticed a troop of soldiers in red cavalry uniforms were guarding her house and were chasing the stupid people away. She had the Captain to thank. He had been proving to her that he could be a better father than her adoptive father could ever be. Before it was even discovered that the Captain was her father, he always praised her and even went ahead to get her one of the rarest science books in the world, encouraging her to pursue her dreams.

That was the support she wished she had from her father. She knew the Captain was willing to give her as much time as she needed to digest this information. The fact that her real mother was dead, was sad. She would've wanted to know what she was like. Maybe she could ask the Captain to let her know what Emily was like.

There could be a possibility that she was willing to speak to him now, not minding that she was given time to process it all. Locking herself away in her room would do her no good; except for being fed by her best friend.

Which was lovely by the way.

"I swear to God if I get my hands on Gerrard, I'll feed him to the dogs," Juliet said feeding Ella again. Ever since Juliet was told the whole story about what had been happening, all she had been talking about were different death sentences for Gerrard. All of which Ella found extreme but deserving.

"What has happened, has happened Jules."

"So you're just going to let that peacock get away with doing this to you?" Juliet asked, frowning.

"I honestly don't know what to do. I'm lost."

"I know this might sound absurd, but I think you should speak to Robert."

Ella blinked once.

Then twice.

Then again.

"Have you forgotten what he did to me?"

Juliet settled the bowl of porridge on Ella's bedside drawer. "From what you told me, it seems he truly loves you. And you didn't even give him a chance to explain properly. I understand you weren't in a good place emotionally at that moment. But I believe you need to give him a chance to explain everything to you."

"Jules, you should be on my side here," Ella said tossing a pillow at her friend.

Juliet caught it and wrapped her arms around it. "I am on your side. I just don't want you to believe Gerrard's word over a man who was the first to help you chase your dreams. Hate him all you want, but you know he's a good man. Which is why you need to give him a chance to explain himself."

Does helping her make a moon lamp make him a good person? Or the fact that he was very protective of her? Or the fact he was reading romance novels to understand love better for her sake. Do all these make him a good person?

Maybe.

Dear God, Ella didn't like when her friend was right. Most especially in situations like this.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Who's that?" Juliet asked.

"It's me, Robert."

Juliet smirked. "Speaking of the devil." She stood and went to the door. "I'll give you love birds some along time."

Ella mouthed, "Please, no!"

"Sorry," Juliet mouthed back and then opened the door. She pointed at Robert who was a foot taller than her. "You better not make her cry or I'll..." She sighed. "Damn, I wasted all my threats on bloody Gerrard Finley."

Robert's face was an epitome of confusion.

"Just don't make her cry again," Juliet said and left, shutting the door.

Robert was still wearing the black frock coat and vest she bought him. If she thought that would make her forgive him-God, he knows how to make a woman's heart soften. Let her hear what he had to say. It wouldn't hurt a fly.

"You planned this with her, didn't you?" Ella asked getting up from her bed.

Robert struggled to conceal his smile. "Whatever do you mean, Ella?"

"State your business here, My Lord."

My Lord? Goodness, that was sounding odd already. She was already acclimated to calling him Robert that his title tasted fuzzy in her mouth.

"Ella," Robert began. "I know I did wrong by not telling you about the bet Gerrard made. At that moment it felt insignificant because I didn't know you. As I said, the bet he made was that he could woo you, that was why he even asked you for a dance that night in the ball."

That would explain Gerrard's sudden interest in her. It all felt too real to be true.

"So why didn't you tell me when I started working for you?"

"Remember I tried getting rid of you when you began working for me. With all the things that were going on, including searching for the Captain's children, the bet slipped my mind. Mostly because you didn't even complain about Gerrard courting you."

"I surely didn't like it."

"I love you and wouldn't dare to do such a thing to you," Robert said, covering up their distance. His blue eyes were brimming with sincerity and she had to believe him. Gerrard wasn't to be trusted.

"Do you love me enough to feed me?" Ella asked, grinning.

His eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Ella hopped into her bed and gestured at the bowl of porridge on her drawer. What she was about to make him do was silly. It was his punishment for not letting her know about the bet in the first place.

"I was eating before you came in." She reclined on her backboard. "And Juliet was feeding me because I was too weak to feed myself."

"So..." Robert trailed, still not getting the bloody point she was trying to make.

"I want you to feed me. Then I'll forgive you for not telling me about the bet earlier."

"Just that?" Robert asked, probably shocked that was what it took her to forgive him. But that wasn't what it was. She forgave him because she loved him.

"Yes."

"You do realise the Captain, Howard and your parents are waiting downstairs for you?"

Ella's eyes widened. Her father was here-the adoptive one. He had come looking for her the other day but she refused to see him. Did he think bringing the Captain would make her want to see him?

"I'll feed you, Ella." Robert held her hand softly. "But for my sake, I would want you to listen to what your father has to say."

"The one who has been kind to me or the one who hadn't come to see me since I came out of my coma?"

Robert sighed and picked up the bowl of porridge. "I understand you're furious at him. But I spoke with him yesterday and he is truly remorseful. He would like to speak with you."

"After what he and Gerrard did to us?"

"He wasn't in on it. He didn't even know Gerrard was spying on you this whole time."

"I was doing all these for him," Ella said, shaking her head. "And this is where it all landed me. I don't think there's a need for me to keep on trying to make him proud."

All that had happened made her realise that no matter how hard she tried to prove to him she was smart, he didn't appreciate it. Maybe she should listen to Juliet's advice. She should believe she was smart enough and was capable of being a scientist despite her gender.

After all, she had already made a moon lamp. What more was there to prove? She was a genius and doesn't care if her father didn't think so.

"Open up, love," Robert said, bringing up a spoonful of porridge to her mouth. The fact he was willing to feed her, made her heart melt. Maybe her day wasn't going to be fully bad. She would ask Robert to feed her later in the future. She enjoyed being treated like his baby. "I'm sure after eating, you'll even forget how angry you are at your father."

I highly doubt that.

******

"She's here," Robert said, announcing her entrance into the dining room. Everyone stood from their seat, all looking at her with concern in their eyes. Her adoptive father was at the head of the brown table and he looked like he didn't know where to start from to apologise to her.

"Ah, father you're here," Ella said, moving over to her mother who held her wrist and pulled her closer. "I thought you would've forgotten about me and left me to die in my coma."

"Ella, I take full responsibility for everything that has happened to you. I was a bad father," her dad spelt out and even her mother had to look at him with shock. In all their years together, their father had never admitted that he was wrong. This could be a start for something beautiful.

"Y-you're apologising?" Ella asked, sitting next to her mother. She was baffled that her father would dare apologise. Where was the arrogant, cold Mr Featherington she knew?

"Yes, I am."

This was easier than she had expected it to be. She wanted a bit of drama. For him to be a stubborn head as usual and she'll get to scream profanities at him. But instead, here he was apologising to her. What had Robert done to her father? He was the one that spoke with him yesterday. Did he give her father a life-changing pill that made him humble and reasonable?

"You're not going to tell me how stupid I was to dress as a man and work for Robert?"

He shook his head. "Robert told me everything. Including the reason, you were doing that in the first place. Ella, I am very sorry for making you feel that way about yourself."

It was happening; her father was apologising for being such a bloody arse all these years. But that wasn't enough. Was he willing to accept she was as smart as men where?

"And you're a smart girl too. This morning the Captain and Robert told me that you made a moon lamp," he smiled at his wife. "Your mother and I are incredibly proud of you. And I wish I had supported you sooner."

Ella was on the brink of tears and he mother held her hand gently. Mrs Featherington's eyes were rimmed with dark circles and it seemed she hadn't had much sleep just like Ella. She must've been worried sick for her daughter.

The tears streamed down Ella's face and no matter how much she tried to wipe them off, they kept pouring. This was all she ever wanted. It was happening so soon that it felt like a dream. Curse him for making her feel this way after being a bad father to her all this while.

She hated the fact that despite how he treated her, she could still feel happy about the fact that he was proud of her. That was all she ever wanted to hear from him. That was the reason she wanted to become a scientist in the first place.

"Honey, I saw the photo in that newspaper," Mrs Featherington, whispered into Ella's ear. "Are you two in love?"

Ella glanced at Robert who was having a quiet conversation with Howard. A month ago she wouldn't have believed they'll be here. But love happened in the most unusual ways. And here she was, deeply in love with him.

"Yes mother, we're in love," she said back lowly.

Her mum pinched her thighs. "We're still yet to talk about how you lied to see your aunt just to go on an adventure."

Ah, here came the discipline. At least everyone in this room was on the same page and had one common enemy. Although, she was s yet to know whose side her father was on. However, him working for Gerrard after all that transpired would be the most foolish thing anyone in existence has ever done.

"Now I know what's on everyone's mind," Mr Featherington's said. "And yes, it would be stupid of me to still work for Gerrard after he ruined my daughter's image. Which is why I've resigned and I'm here to help."

"She's my daughter too," The Captain pitched in with humour and him and Ella both locked eyes and smiled at each other. He was a good man. And she was lucky to have him as her biological father. She knew if things were different, he would've done a better job than her dad.

"And I want to thank you, Captain, for giving me enough time to process it," Ella said.

"You're most welcome."

"He's not taking her away is he?" Ella's mother asked and held on tightly to her daughter like she was protecting her from a monster.

Mr Featherington sighed. "By state law, if he sues for custody over Ella, he is guaranteed to win. But, we had a conversation earlier this morning and he has decided not to sue for custody. Instead, he just wants to be an active part of Ella's life."

"Oh," Mrs Featherington loosened her tight grip a bit. "That's fine by me."

"And Ella, I know you're angry about your mother and I not telling you. But we thought it was best you didn't know," Mr Featherington said. "Do you think you could forgive us?"

With everyone looking at her like the decision of the world weighed on her shoulders, there was no way she could say no. It made sense that they didn't want to tell her. These few days helped her understand that they wanted Ella to truly feel like their daughter. And if she was in their shoes, she would've done the same.

But the fact her father decided to let her know he was proud of her when she was being shamed in the papers pissed her off. He must've been mistaken if he thought she would easily forgive him.

"Don't push your luck father. I'm only listening to you now because His Lordship asked me to," Ella said. Also because he fed her."I'm still angry at you. But I've forgiven my mother. She supported me even when you didn't. Did you know she wrote a letter to Mrs Tucker telling her how proud she was of me? Though she never showed it, she was supportive and believed in me, something you never did."

Mr Featherington was taken aback by her response. Still, he had to understand. There was no way it would be easy for her to come to terms with the new man he wanted to become. He had made her younger years a living hell for her and only an apology wasn't going to cut it. He had to prove to her that he had changed into a supportive father.

"I understand," he said, looking like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him for his past mistakes.

"How did you see the letter?" Mrs Featherington whispered.

Ella rubbed her thumb over her mother's hand. "Mrs Tucker showed me the letter. That was very kind of you mother."

"Oh, love, anything for you."

Her mother rocked her world and she couldn't have asked for a better mother.

"The Captain and I are making plans for you to have the chance to speak with your siblings," Robert said, joy in his blue eyes. He was happy for her. Despite what Gerrard had done to deter them from happiness, they still found a way have some good things going for them.

Ella's mum hugged her by the side. "You finally get to have siblings. Just like you've always wanted as a child."

"Some dreams do come true mother," Ella said. She had finally learnt that she didn't need her father to show her she was indeed smart. All she had to do was accept it herself just like Juliet had told her and she would be at peace. That was what she needed; to believe she was smart enough. And now she did.

"So how are you going to help them?" Mrs Featherington asked, looking at her husband.

Working with Gerrard must've given him a few tips on how to stop him. Maybe that was what he was going to do it.

"There's no need to say it," Mr Featherington said. "It is something I must do. But you all should know that by tomorrow, Ella wouldn't be the topic of discussion anymore."

That was a bit ominous. Why was he speaking that way? Ella didn't like the sound of it.

"So no one in this room knows about your plan?" Ella's mother asked.

"Only his Lordship does."

Ella looked at Robert. Maybe she could get him to a corner later and ask him what her father planned to do.

Just then, Mr Finn walked briskly into the room, a telephone in his hand, the wire trailing behind him. He had a sense of urgency in his eyes.

"Your Lordship, there's been a call for you. It sounds urgent," he said.

Curious, Robert got up and took the telephone from him, placing it on his ears.

"Yes, Grace?" He questioned, his brows colliding. With each second that was spent on the phone, his lips parted and his eyes widened further. Whatever it was, it was bad. "Okay, I'll be on my way." He gave the phone to Mr Finn. "I have to go now, something urgent has come up."

He tapped Howard by the shoulder and gestured for him to follow him. The both of them rushed out of the room, leaving everyone in confused silence.

What was that phone call about?

*****