Chapter 21
Ella heard Joshua's tone softening and paused, trying to compose herself. If she could keep this situation from the elders, she should. Aiden wasn't well enough to handle any shocks, and since Joshua seemed to be wavering, she decided to humble herself further.
Turning to face Joshua with tear-filled eyes, Ella asked in a choked voice, "Then what do you want me to do? Do you want me to kneel and beg you?"
For Aurora's sake, she would kneel if necessary.
Joshua avoided looking at Ella. Her tears threatened his resolve—he feared he wouldn't last three minutes before giving in. What she had done was unforgivable, yet he struggled to maintain his anger. His handsome face tensed as he pressed his lips together, unable to think of an appropriate punishment.
Before he could respond, Ella knelt beside him, grabbing his hand, "Honey, I'm begging you, let me see my child, okay? She's still so small. If anything happens to her, I don't want to live either."
Tears streamed down her face as she continued pleading, "Honey, as long as you let me see my child, I'll do whatever you say from now on. Please, honey."
She knew Joshua couldn't resist when she acted this way. To hasten his surrender, Ella abandoned all pride, kneeling and crying while addressing him sweetly.
Her repeated "honey" created immediate ripples in his heart. Though Joshua finally softened, he maintained a stern expression, hiding his emotions behind coldness. He simply waved his hand, signaling Brian to take her.
Brian, perceptive as always, understood Joshua's gesture immediately. He bent down toward Ella, "Mrs. Thomas, let's go. I'll take you there."
Hearing this, Ella looked at Joshua with surprise and delight. As she stood, she deliberately said in a sweet voice, "Honey, thank you. If Aurora is okay, I'll come back to you as soon as possible."
Genuinely worried about Aurora, she wiped away her tears and turned to leave.
Joshua remained seated, suddenly distracted. He surprised himself—why had he softened? Was he considering forgiving Ella and accepting those children? He laughed coldly at the thought. How could he possibly accept someone else's children? He could have any woman he wanted. Scarlett was far superior to Ella. If he wanted children, ones born to Scarlett would surely be better than another man's children Ella had birthed.
Yet thinking about how Ella had knelt and begged for those children made his chest tighten uncomfortably. He ordered wine and drank alone, feeling depressed.
In the car heading to the manor, Brian remarked, "See, I told you. If you soften up, cry a bit in front of Mr. Thomas, and act sweet, he'll definitely soften."
Joshua was about ten years older than Ella, and in such marriages, the husband often unconsciously showed more tolerance toward his younger wife. Brian felt certain Joshua wasn't heartless enough to permanently separate Ella from her children.
Ella's approach had worked this time, but she knew Joshua wouldn't fall for it every time. She would have to take things one step at a time.
Upon arriving at the manor, Ella rushed to see her children. A servant led her to their room, where she found Patricia and Dorian sitting by the bed, coaxing Aurora to eat.
Ella's heart ached as she approached them, "Aurora, Dorian."
Hearing her voice, both children looked up and called out softly in unison, "Mommy."
She embraced them, filled with guilt, "I'm sorry, Mommy came late."
Releasing Aurora, Ella noticed a fever-reducing patch on her forehead and her flushed face. The fever hadn't subsided. She touched Aurora's cheek and held her tightly again.
Looking at Patricia, she asked, "What's her temperature now? Did you check?"
Patricia replied, "The staff called a doctor who examined Aurora and gave her medicine. We're waiting to see if it brings down the fever." She handed Ella the thermometer.
Ella quickly placed it under Aurora's arm. Aurora leaned weakly against her mother, her usually bright eyes now dull and listless.
"Mommy, why have you been so busy lately? You haven't had time to be with me and Dorian," she said weakly.
The children understood Ella worked to support them, but they still missed her presence.
Stroking Aurora's hair, Ella replied with emotion, "I'm sorry. Mommy will try to work less and spend more time with you from now on."
Dorian and Patricia noticed Brian standing nearby. Remembering he had brought them here earlier, Patricia felt guilty about taking money to betray Ella's whereabouts. She kept her head down, avoiding eye contact.
Dorian, however, asked directly, "Mommy, who is he?"
Ella glanced at Brian and explained, "He's a friend of Mommy's. Call him Mr. Scott."
Dorian, a perceptive child, considered the situation. A young, handsome man accompanying his mother, the same man who had brought them to this luxurious house with delicious food and toys—he must like Ella.
The boy approached Brian, barely reaching his knees, and looked up innocently, "My mommy has me and Aurora. If you don't mind, we don't mind you becoming our daddy."
His reasoning was simple—a father figure would make Ella's life easier and reduce her workload.
His words stunned all three adults, especially Ella, who was mortified, "Dorian, what are you talking about?"
Brian crouched down and gently pulled the child closer, "You do have a stepfather, but it's not me. I'm just an employee who was ordered to bring your mother here."
Dorian's eyes lit up eagerly, "Who is our stepfather?"
Brian hesitated before asking, "Do you want to meet him?"
Dorian nodded vigorously, his bright eyes full of anticipation.
Brian looked at Ella, "Stay here tonight and keep the children company. I'll tell Mr. Thomas that the children can't be without you." Then to Dorian he added, "I'll help bring your stepfather here, but whether you can make him stay depends on your own ability."