Take My Breath Away

"Not a problem. You've probably noticed I don't talk a whole lot, so it doesn't matter if I have nothing in common with you. Don't expect conversation from me, or tea, for that matter. I'm just too busy. Dad and Mom like you a lot, and it doesn't bother me you have a kid. The manor needs a little new blood. You can do what you want, but don't cheat on me," Matthew stated calmly.

If he hadn't mentioned that both Carlos and Debbie liked her, Erica would've thought he was confessing his love for her.

She asked tentatively, "What if the baby's father comes back? What if I get back together with him?"

Casting her a cold glance, Matthew replied, "I won't let that happen."

Erica leaned against the back of the sofa, her shoulders slumped. She looked frustrated.

"There's one thing I don't get. Why don't you just marry the girl you're in love with? Wouldn't that make more sense? Aren't you breaking her heart by doing this?"

"Don't worry about that. That's my business. You just have to attend to yours."

Erica was completely flabbergasted. After a while, she said in a timid voice, "Don't worry. I fucked up once. My mom and dad lost face because of me. That won't happen again." Wesley and Blair became the laughingstock in their country because their youngest daughter had a kid out of wedlock. No one said anything to their faces. They were the Li family, after all. But it was inevitable that they would gossip about it behind their backs.

Since her first shot of runaway failed, Erica would never have a second chance. She couldn't figure a way out of her marriage. She'd better marry Matthew and find an opportunity to divorce him peacefully in the future.

The disappointment was obvious in her eyes. She had always been this way—all of her emotions were plain on her face. Anyone could tell that she was sad at the moment.

Matthew took a deep look at her, but held his tongue. What else was there to say?

Finally, it was the day of the wedding.

Erica stayed in Wesley and Blair's old house in Y City. The house was well decorated, with lovely curtains, ornate doorknobs, and nice, tasteful paintings.

The dashing groom arrived at the bride's house promptly at 9 a.m., along with eight groomsmen.

However, Matthew wasn't in the mood for games. He was there to get married, not fool around. The groomsmen usually played games with the brides

of the sedan chair, ready to argue with him. But just when she peaked outside, she saw Matthew climb onto the middle Ferghana horse.

His nimble moves and handsome features shocked the wedding guests, friends and relatives alike.

The anger in Erica's heart dissipated. The lines that she had thought about were no longer useful.

When the man looked back, she closed the curtains with a guilty conscience and sat back in the sedan chair.

They went to the Huo family manor first, and then headed for the hotel. After they arrived at the hotel, Erica went to the lounge to get changed. With the help of Rhea and the staff, she donned the bright red traditional Chinese bridal dress.

Their wedding would be a combination of Chinese and Western styles.

The Huo family had set everything up, including her wedding dress. She didn't have any idea what it was going to look like. By the time she finally saw it, the dress was already finished. Her wardrobe included a phoenix coronet and robes of rank. All that was needed was for her to try it on.

Now, a golden phoenix coronet was put on her head. The delicate textures on the phoenix's wings were crafted through the processes of wire-drawing, blasting and polishing. Under the exquisitely carved phoenix's wings, more than a hundred rubies were inlaid on the coronet.

Erica had to move to the hall after being made up, because the wedding had already begun.

Wesley waited for his daughter at the door to the hall. He wore his green military uniform, all neat and pressed, still looking as handsome as when he was young.