Ellie shrugged as she put away her book, How to Manage Rich, into her knapsack .   She stood up to quickly hug her friend before quickly sitting down . "You know, I have spent so much time recovering, I'd almost forgotten that I used to live by myself .   I feel like I need to reclaim me as I used to be a little bit . He did tell me that he doesn't mind if I wanted to bring you over whenever . "

"When you get back to his home, it's fantastic of him to have paid for my plane ticket to come back here .   I was in business cla.s.s this time so I was literally the most comfortable person on the plane . If he does these lil things for your friends, he must treat you so well .   You're very lucky you know . "

"I think he feels guilty about my withdrawal .   I stayed at his house during the worst of it so he definitely saw me at my absolute worst .   Henry's just trying to figure out how to help me out with these small gestures . You probably would have been even more taken care of at the Wong Building .   At first, it feels wonderful . You don't even have to think . But, over time not having to think can make you feel irritable . " Ellie s.h.i.+fted in her seat uncomfortably as she grabbed her coffee cup .   "But, enough about my own issues . I actually got a shock just before I was about to meet you . I'm going to be planning my brother's wedding with my sister in law to be very soon . "

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"That's such good news .   I'm so happy for you and your family . " Helen clasped her hands in excitement . "I can't believe just a couple months ago you were talking as if you could die any day, but you've managed to beat all of your obstacles .   It's a real miracle to see you well, Ellie . I'm so in awe of you . You were in a hospital bed and you've done so well in settling yourself and your brother . "

"Settling myself?  I don't know if I would say it's a blessing, I've just got a lot more things in perspective now that I understand health is not permanent .   I should remind Nolan that I'm the reason he met his future wife in the first place . But, that's not why I called you here . Um, I know we were friends in our youth .   What I was going to say before has changed a bit now that I've got this news . " Ellie bit her lip as she finally made a decision . "I know you are a professional racer as well as I've decided to sell my stock car and retire .   I know that's it's pretty sudden . I'm not pregnant or Henry hasn't forced me too . But, I recently was offered--I think calling a job would be generous--but I have a project that should keep me occupied . I inherited it I guess . "

Helen looked at her with a blush .   "Inherited? Is that your sneaky way that you're telling me that your planning on starting a family with your man, the perfect Henry Wong?  I know that I heard you wanted to make the relations.h.i.+p more about family and the future . "

"I wish I was making more progress with my goals . " Ellie tried to warm her suddenly cold hands with her coffee cup .   "Do you remember when I first moved to Rochester, I told you my dad lived in a castle in England?  All the neighborhoods didn't believe me, but you were the only one that did? I told you how I had two evil step sisters and that was why Cinderella was my favorite fairy tale?"

"I mean we were kids, Ellie .   You can't blame the other kids for not believing you .   I'm sure it was their parents telling them that it couldn't be true . "

Ellie shrugged .   "What I didn't tell anybody was that the reason why my dad lived in a castle was because he was an English baron as in a member of the old aristocracy . "

"No way?  Are you serious?  That's insane . "

"What's even more insane is that just an hour ago, I found out that I am a Baroness because of some weird law that my ancestors did with the queen that whoever is next in line will inherit .   I found out my parents were married, but by the time I started school my mom just changed my last name to hers so I never knew about it . All of my step sisters have pa.s.sed on so I'm now responsible for--"

Helen gasped . "--you're not going back to racing because you have to go to Europe to take care of your castle .   I should probably start calling you Lady Ellie . This is the best story I have ever heard . Something like this would only happen to you, you always have that type of luck . "

Ellie eyebrows met as she felt a surge of disgust .   "Do you not believe me? I thought you of all people would understand . "

Helen quickly shook her head and touched Ellie's hands .   "I do . I meant I of course can't understand what it's like to be what you are .   I'm not you, but I know that no matter what happens to you that you'll stay the old Ellie .   I know your relations.h.i.+p with Henry isn't going well . It's really good that you have something to move towards as you untangle yourself . " Her thumbs rubbed soothing circles into the back of Ellie's hands . "It's ok, I know your hands get cold when you get scarred . "

"I am .   I can't help how these quick changes are making me uncomfortable . " She made a face . "My relations.h.i.+p isn't in the best place and I am happy that I can stand on my own two feet now .   But, it's still weird knowing I have a safety blanket now, I'm so used to having little . "

"Ellie I know, I was there when your mom was bagging groceries and shopping with my mom at the thrift store .   I know that it's not going to be easy these couple months . You have my number so you can call me any time and we can discuss anything .   I'll always make time to be there for you . I'm glad I'm in a place where I'm not super stressed so I can offer you that . It's scares me to think about all those tabloids picking up on such a high profile relations.h.i.+p .   You becoming aristocracy does sound like somethings news outlets will love . But, I do think that it's good that this has happened . "