Take My Breath Away

The evening hours passed by, slow and subdued. At eleven o'clock, Ethan finally fell asleep.

Erica carefully tucked him into his crib.

Pausing, she looked at his smooth and round face. He seemed so peaceful and innocent that she couldn't help but give him a little pinch on the cheek.

"You'll have to soothe him if you wake him up," warned Blair softly.

Only then did Erica leave the baby alone and go back to the bed. Her mother gave her some of the quilt, and she made herself comfortable.

She yawned into her palm, then said, "Mom, I want to take Ethan to Y City for a few days so that you and Dad can have some time to relax."

"I don't think that's a good idea," answered Blair. "You have classes to attend to, and Matthew is a busy man. I'm sure the two of you have your hands full already without a baby to look after. Besides, we have servants to help take care of Ethan. We don't need to relax."

"I'm not that busy with classes," urged Erica. "I can take care of him for two or three days."

Wesley, who was lying on the couch and staring up at the ceiling, injected himself into the conversation. "Your mother is right. Your priority right now should be to study hard and to build a good relationship with Matthew. If Ethan stays with you, you two will have conflict because of him."

"Dad, Matthew is not that petty," protested Erica. "Trust me. It's only three days. Nothing will happen!"

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 Y City 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

me on out of the car! We don't have all day!"

Slowly, with obvious reluctance, Erica emerged from the car and handed the sleeping Ethan to her father.

Wesley indicated Matthew and in a serious tone said, "Rika, you need to apologize to your husband."

"Why should I apologize to him..." Erica's voice was low, as if she were talking to herself just as much as to Wesley.

"No, Dad," Matthew broke in. "I'm the one who should apologize." Then he looked at Erica, his tone gentle. "I'm sorry, Erica. This is all my fault. I apologize to you in front of Father."

Erica stared at him, taken aback. 'His tone is suddenly so soft. What is he up to?' she thought. 'I must be careful not to fall into his trap.'

Wesley was very satisfied with his son-in-law. "All right, Erica," he said. "Since Matthew has apologized, you'd better behave yourself now, okay?"

Erica paused, but in the end she could think of nothing to say or do but give in. "Okay," she said at last.

With that, the three of them went into the villa together. At first, Erica had planned to carry Ethan upstairs and put him to sleep in the bedroom. However, Matthew took Ethan from her arms with a smoothness that caught her off-guard. "Here, let me help you," he said.

Then, under Wesley's approving gaze, he took Ethan upstairs, holding the baby as naturally as if he were his own.

Laden with luggage, Wesley cast a burning glance at Erica before following his son-in-law upstairs.

Erica stood still for a long moment, stewing in her confusion and frustration. She could not fathom her father's disapproval toward her, or his incredible admiration for her husband.

After a long time, she reluctantly followed them.

On the third floor, she found Wesley situating her luggage in the bedroom, and Matthew already putting Ethan to bed.