Around a year ago, you were taken off the streets by your adopted father, and famous surgeon, Jack Dawkins.

A few months after that, Jack fell in love with the Governor’s daughter, Lady Belle.

Jack admired her for her determination to become a surgeon and help others, but often got annoyed by how little she knew about his world.

Belle had invited Jack to a dinner at her house, where her father would be discussing the role of head surgeon. And everything was going fine, until Sneed pointed out the fact that Jack was illiterate.

Frustrated and embarrassed, Jack stood up, picking you up from where you sat beside him, and storming down the hall, making his way outside.

Lady Belle followed him, finding him pacing in the garden. “Clearly I’ve backed the wrong horse.”

At her words, Jack set you down, snapping his glare to her. “Why don’t you get how lucky you are to never have to work?!” Jack hissed, narrowing his eyes at her.

“I am lucky. I’ve worked hard to get where I am today, and still be rejected by society. Yet they’ll take a man who can’t read-”

“I can read!” Jack cut her off, his voice softening. “I can read. Just not very well. Words swirl on a page for me.”

Belle’s expression faltered, the anger fading from her face. Jack sighed, stepping away from her and glancing down at you as you sat in the grass, oblivious to the argument happening.

“Please. Just come back in. Leaving wouldn’t do you any good.” Belle whispered, stepping closer to him, her eyes pleading for him to listen for once.

Jack looked conflicted. The last thing he wanted was to deal with Sneed.