At last, pestered by Erica's various arguments, Blair was swayed. She agreed that Ethan could go with Erica when she left the next day.

The minutes ticked by. Ethan was already sound asleep, and soon Blair

Was as well. Experimentally, Erica called to her father. When Wesley didn't answer, she thought that he was asleep as well.

But her sister was still awake. The two hid under the quilt and whispered to one another.

“Is Matthew being good to you?" Yvette asked.

“Well, sort of," Erica answered. Realizing how she sounded, she added,

“I mean, he's great. He just has a bad temper."

“Well, if he treats you well, stop fighting with him," Yvette said earnestly.

“Go back to Alorith tomorrow and just Live a happy Life with him, okay?"

Erica sighed.

"I don't think it will be that simple. After all, he doesn't really love me, and I don't love him. A marriage without Love will never be happy.”

“Then what's your plan? Do you still want to divorce him?"

“Hush!" Erica hissed immediately. Even though they'd been whispering, she still feared that their father might hear them. Sure enough,

Wesley, whom they had thought to be asleep, broke the silence.

"If you dare to divorce Matthew, I'll skin you alive!" he threatened.

“Dad! You were eavesdropping on us!" Erica complained, outraged.

“You two have loud voices," Wesley snorted, unable to care less.

"I couldn't help but hear you."

Yvette was too embarrassed to say anything more, but Erica pressed,

“Dad, didn't you know that Matthew is interested in someone else?"

“Yes, I know."

Erica decided to ask the most burning question on her mind.

“Then why are you insisting on putting me through this hell?”

“Putting you through hell?" he echoed.

"On the contrary, I would have thought you'd find true happiness with Matthew." Privately, he had expected Erica to run back home within three days of her marriage. But he hadn't thought she would have cold feet for more than a week.