"Are you angry?"

Removing the mess on the floor, Matthew answered without raising his head, "Not everyone is as petty as you are."

Erica wasn't happy to hear that. ‘Humph! I'm petty, am I?' But this time, it was really her mistake. She had no right to argue.

"Matthew, can I ask you a question?”

“Ask.”

“If Na-" She was about to use Nathan as an example, but on second thought, realized it was inappropriate. So, she quickly revised.

“Imagine that one of your good friends dies, but then suddenly comes back to Life one day. He doesn't contact you, but the reason is that he has lost his memory. Will you forgive him and still be friends with him?"

This time, Matthew stopped what he was doing and looked up at the depressed girl. He knew what she was talking about, so he cut right to the chase.

"Is Tessie still alive?"

"Yes." With a sigh, Erica cupped her chin with her hands. She was really upset now. She just had to talk to someone about this, or she would go mad.

“Phoebe said that I had cursed Tessie on purpose. But I just found out that Tessie is still alive. Whom do you believe—me or her?"

Matthew threw the dirty rag into the trash can and washed his hands. He was getting ready to make chocolate again.

“The truth is laid out in plain sight. She is still alive."

Erica asked, "So, you believe me?"

"Yes."

Her eyes lit up and her expression was lighter.

“What do you think I should do now?"

“That depends on whether you want to pursue the matter or not."

“What if I do? What if I don't?"

“If you want to pursue it, investigate and find the truth. If you don't want to run behind it, just let it go and forget it ever happened.”

Matthew only wanted her to be happy. He would respect her choice, whatever it was.

But he wouldn't let her know what he would do.

Erica's face fell again.

“What if I can't handle the truth?"

She had just found out that Tessie was no longer the same Tessie she used to know. She didn't know when she had changed to this new person.