True Love Waits novel Chapter 1187

So Matthew had given the ear studs to Erica.

Even though Phoebe had expected this to happen, seeing it was something else, and she clenched her fists as jealousy ate away at her. She had never hated anyone so much!

"Of course I do," Erica was saying. "But why did you say that Tessie was short of money in school?" Hastily she put down her camera and phone, then drew closer. The shock in her eyes was obvious.

Phoebe was a bit confused as well. "I was just telling Matthew something about our Su family. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Indeed, Phoebe's only intention had been to complain to Matthew about family matters. She had no idea how her remarks could provoke such astonishment in Erica's heart. "But... Isn't Tessie dead? Why did you say she was—"

"Erica Li!" Phoebe interrupted. Her voice was as harsh as a gunshot.

Unable to ignore this exchange, Matthew frowned and got up from his chair. He drew near, and the three people stood face to face there in the office.

Erica was taken aback by Phoebe's unfriendly attitude. "You don't need to shout," she said awkwardly. "I can hear you just fine."

The flame in Phoebe's eyes didn't die down. "What nonsense are you talking about?! Erica Li, how can you be so vicious?"

"You..." Erica was too flustered to go on. 'How dare this woman yell at me in front of Matthew?' she thought. 'Just because Matthew loves her doesn't mean she can be so rude to me! I have to maintain my own dignity in front of my husband.'

"Phoebe!" Matthew's tone was cold; he was warning her to mind her manners.

Taking a deep breath, Phoebe said, "Matthew, you heard her too. She started it. She is so heartless that she even cursed my sister and said she was dead!"

"But Tessie is dead..." Erica insisted, more perplexed now than ever. The doctor had told her so.

"Erica Li, what did Tessie do to deserve this from you?" Phoebe demanded, shaking with rage. "Why are you cursing her like that?"

At this moment, it began to dawn on Erica; Phoebe must not have come to terms with what had happened to Tessie. Was it so painful that she was still in denial?

Thinking of this, Erica softened her tone. "Tessie was my best friend. Why would I curse her? I was there when she died—"

"Shut up!" Phoebe raised a trembling hand and pointed at the door to Matthew's office. "How could you say something so terrible? Get out of here! I can't stand to even look at your face!"

'This is my husband's office and she is kicking me out?' Erica thought. She wasn't without sympathy for Phoebe's pain, but she simply could not stand for this kind of humiliation. She gritted her teeth. "What right do you have to kick me out?"

As she said this, Matthew put an arm around Erica's waist, and the two faced Phoebe together. "Phoebe, you are pregnant," he cautioned. "You need to calm down. Think about the baby."

"I can't calm down. Tessie was so good to Erica!" cried Phoebe. "But Erica mistreated her, and here she is saying that she's dead! I really feel sorry for you that you married such a woman as Erica. She has always been a liar..."

"Phoebe Su!" Matthew snapped, his face darkening. "For the last time, watch your language!"

Faced with Matthew's anger, Phoebe flinched as though struck. Having no more stomach for arguing, she turned her back to them and sobbed, "I don't want to see her anymore. Please ask her to leave."

Afraid that Matthew would drive her away, Erica spoke before he could, desperate to maintain a shred of dignity. "I'm sorry that I came here without your permission. I'm leaving now!"

With that, she pried herself out of Matthew's hold, gathered up her phone and camera, and trotted away.

Matthew reached out to stop her, but the girl ran too fast.

When she was gone, a horribly uncomfortable moment passed. Phoebe stood framed before the window, miserable and still. Unable to stand the silence, Matthew said, "Phoebe, you've gone too far!"

Phoebe squeezed her red eyes shut for a long time. After finally opening them she choked, "Matthew, did you know about what sort of things Erica did on campus?"