"No, no, Mom. It's not that at all. Matthew's just very tolerant, so he doesn't mind my bad temper."

“That's just as well, then!" exclaimed Debbie, her good mood impenetrable.

“If he's so willing to spoil you, it can only be because he Loves you so much. Now, listen, your father-in-law and I were about to pick you up at school, but Matthew called and told me that you had already come to his office. So, we came straight here. Let's all go to the manor for dinner tonight. Evelyn and Terilynn are both home, and they're a Little worried over what's happened to you recently."

As long as the Hilton family was in Alorith, they all would have dinner together from time to time. Just as Debbie had said, it was in Large part out of concern for Erica that they wanted to come together that evening.

"Well, certainly. I could hardly refuse," Erica replied sweetly.

Matthew observed the whole conversation in silence from behind his desk. He couldn't help wondering whether all women were able to change their moods as quickly as they could turn a page.

The gathering at the Hilton family's manor that evening was lively enough.

Sheffield's family was there, along with the three members of Joshua's family. Upon seeing Erica, Gwyn ran over to her with Godwin and Godfrey following close behind.

“Aunt Erica, Aunt Erica!" the three kids chanted, grabbing her legs and arms and practically smothering her in hugs.

At first sight of Matthew, though, Gwyn left Erica and rushed over to him happily.

"Uncle!"

“Hi, Gwyn," Matthew replied, sweeping her up in his arms with surprising affection.

"Oh, Uncle, we haven't seen each other in such a long time!" Gwyneth pouted, holding onto his neck in a rather spoiled manner.

"Yes, you've certainly grown taller!" he remarked.

Seeing this and glancing at the two little boys in her arms, Erica couldn't help but think, ‘Is Matthew fonder of girls than of boys?"

Upon entering the Living room, they found Sheffield holding Evelyn's shoulder. One of them was talking and the other Laughing.

Sure enough, Sheffield was doing all the talking, and Evelyn was doing all the Laughing.

Erica was a bit surprised when Matthew came over and took her hand.

“What are you doing?" she whispered in his ear.

“I thought you were angry at me."

“We can put our fighting aside for the time being,” he explained quietly.

“Look around you. The family gathering is more important. We can pretend to be a happy couple for a few hours." Erica made a face, but her husband failed to notice.

After the greetings were done with, Evelyn pulled Erica aside and asked, "How's it going?"

It was a casual question on the surface, but Erica knew what she was really asking about. Rumors of the campus violence and the matter with

Tessie had made their way through the family, and Evelyn herself had already called Erica once, asking about what had happened.