True Love Waits novel Chapter 1122

Erica hastily tried to defend herself. "It's not my fault. Our Mr. Huo is too busy."

"Well, you're a bossy woman anyway. You should've tried those less-than-feminine charms on Matthew and forced him to come with you," Gifford said. Blair had already cautioned Gifford not to talk to Erica about Matthew. Her reasoning was that if they just backed off, things would happen naturally. Erica might eventually fall in love with Matthew if they quit pushing her.

"Come on! He doesn't do what I want! And he's not in love with me, so he's not likely to," Erica retorted. And she was quite good at bullying someone into doing what she wanted.

'I'm not wrong, though. He doesn't love me, and I can't intimidate him, either. So even if I tried that around him and pushed him to come back with me, he wouldn't listen.'

Gifford smiled slightly and draped his long arm around her shoulders. "Wow, my dear sister has gotten smarter in her old age. That's gotta hurt, knowing you can't play your old tricks."

"Of course, I'm a smart girl. Let's go back home." She figured someone would crack a joke about it. If anyone tried that, though, she'd stand up for her honor, and that of the Li family. She might not be able to influence Matthew, but she'd certainly verbally browbeat anyone else.

Finally, they returned to the Li family villa. It had only been four days since she had last been here, but it felt like four years.

Cecelia and Baldwin were also there today. They lived in the military base now, but came back for the occasion.

The moment they entered the living room, Erica was like a happy puppy as she hugged everyone and kissed them one after the other. She even cradled Feb in her arms and didn't want to let him go.

"Feb, call me 'Mommy.' I missed you so much!" said Erica, gently pinching the boy's smooth face. She knew the boy was too small to make real sounds, but she still said it anyway.

"That's Ethan now. Ethan Li. I renamed him. Ethan sounds so much better than Feb," Wesley corrected her.

"Li?" Erica cocked an eyebrow, and the joy on her face faded. "That's Ethan Wu, actually."

Wesley was displeased as he was aware of her change in mood. "You still thinking about the boy's father?" he asked in a cold voice.

Erica didn't answer his question.

Blair explained, "Rika, the household registration would be a pain if his last name were Wu. Also, we'd have to get the proper documentation for school."

The living room was quiet for a moment. After a while, Erica compromised and said, "Okay. Ethan Li is fine."

Yvette came out of the kitchen with a bowl of soup. "Lunch is ready," she said. "Everyone wash up now!"

"Rika, give Ethan to me. Wash your hands and grab a bowl," Blair ordered and took the child from Erica.

Despite Matthew's absence, the Li family were generally content. While many of them were hoping to talk to the man, at least Erica and Ethan were there. Mealtimes were always interesting with those two around.

After lunch, the Li family members wouldn't stop talking about Matthew in front of Erica, which bored the snot out of her. Eventually, she said, "Hey, Yvette. How about we go for a walk and help our meals settle?"

The two sisters hadn't really talked a long time. Yvette agreed readily. Erica wanted to take Ethan Li with them too, but since the boy was asleep, she gave up on that idea.

When they left the villa, Yvette took a good look at her sister. The fire in her gaze had died down some. She was much less dramatic than before. Yvette caressed Erica's head and said, "Look at you, Rika. You're all grown up."

"No, it's not like that. I just feel depressed and I've gotten sentimental. I wouldn't have married Matthew if it weren't for Feb...um...Ethan Li. I don't love him and he doesn't love me either." Erica took her sister's arm and rested her head on her shoulder.

"Dad and Mom did this for your own good. You know what? Matthew's a good guy. Maybe you don't want to hear that, but I'm sure you'll have a happy life," Yvette coaxed her sister.

"Yvette, I know he's a good man. And I know he's rich and handsome, but we don't even like each other. What's the point?" Erica answered listlessly.