With Rhea's help, Erica, clad in a traditional wedding dress with a long train, elegantly walked towards the door of the hall. Seeing how gracious his daughter looked at this moment, Wesley gave her a rare soft smile and reached out his arm. "I didn't think you would be the first among my three kids to get married. Rika, you look great in this dress. Just try not to say anything or you'll show your true colors."
Erica released Rhea's arm and held Wesley's. Despite her dad's warning, she couldn't help but speak with clenched teeth. "Do you think I wanted to be the first one? And do you have any idea how heavy this coronet is? At least a dozen pounds!" As far as she was concerned, Matthew must have deliberately picked out this phoenix coronet to spite her. With this heavy coronet on her head, she had to walk very carefully. If she didn't keep her head up at all times, she was afraid she would lose balance and fall to the ground.
"Look at these rubies inlaid on it, they're all genuine! Of course, it's heavy. I would sure hope so. Just hold out for a little longer. You're wearing a phoenix coronet and robes of rank. In ancient times, only the women in rich and noble families had the privilege to dress like that on weddings. The Huo family is giving you the same treatment. You should be grateful, to say the least," he said.
Erica complained, "But Dad, I am indeed from a rich and noble family. That's what I am saying! Why do you sound like that Matthew Huo is out of my league? Why would I be honored to marry him and not the other way around?"
"Well, it's true, you were well matched, perhaps even better, in status at first, but now you have a son with another man. Forget about Matthew's family background. He's a man of integrity and character. He never fools around. So, indeed, it would be your honor to marry him."
Erica grumbled, indicating disapproval and anger. 'Is that what a father should say to his daughter?'
It was as if she had become utterly worthless to him because she had a child out of wedlock.
"As for Feb, I have discussed it with your mother. We'll take care of him in our home first. When your relationship with Matthew is stable, and if he agrees, we'll bring the baby to you. And one more thing, for heaven's sake, change his name ASAP. Your brother was right, the poor boy will be made fun of in school."
"Dad! If you want to change his name, do it yourself. I'm not good with names."
"I would be happy to," he replied.
The emcee's voice grabbed their attention from down the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please! The time has come to welcome the bride and the bride's father!"
The door to the main hall slowly pushed open from the outside on cue.
Erica became a bit nervous when she saw Matthew standing on the stage all the way at the end of the walkway.
She held Wesley's arm tightly as he walked her down the aisle that led to the stage.
"Why are you so nervous?" Wesley could feel her hand shaking restlessly.
Erica murmured, "Why wouldn't I be nervous? This is the first time I've ever done something like this. I'm not used to being stared at by so many people."
Wesley patted her hand and said, "Take it easy. Don't be so fussy."
In keeping with the combination of Chinese and Western styles, the hall was mainly decorated in red. The grandness and splendor purveyed with such simplicity were what made the scene look like it was taken right out of the page of fairytale.
As Erica approached the stage, one step after another, a few meters long train trailing behind, she kept a smile on her face and whispered into Wesley's ear, "Dad, look at him. Matthew's not even wearing a traditional robe to match with my dress. He did it on purpose."
"I know what's on your mind. You just don't want to marry Matthew. I'm warning you! Don't mess this up! This is neither the time nor the place for you to make trouble. For your family's sake, don't do anything foolish!" Wesley immediately understood what was on her mind.
"You know I don't want to marry him, but you keep forcing me. Dad, what did Uncle Carlos give you in return for your own daughter?"
"You what to know that truth? I don't think any ordinary family can handle your shenanigans, judging by your personality. Marrying into the Huo family is the only way I can see a future for you. After all, you're no match for either of them—your uncle Carlos, aunt Debbie, Matthew or Evelyn. If anyone can keep you under control, it's them. You won't be able to make trouble anymore!"
"Dad! How could you do this to me? Even if you don't like me, you can't just marry me off to some other family!" Erica really wanted to take off the phoenix coronet on scream from the top of her lungs. 'I am not going to marry Matthew Huo! Let him stay single for the rest of his life!'
Unfortunately, she couldn't afford that luxury. After all, Wesley was watching her every move.
"Rest assured. As long as you don't make any trouble, I promise the Huo family will care for you as one of their own. They will treat you well." Wesley and Carlos had been friends for decades. He knew his friend well enough to make such a claim.
Erica was sure that the Huo family members had successfully brainwashed Wesley. "Dad, it's said that a daughter is like her father's lover in his previous life. But, was I your stinky socks in your previous life?"
Wesley never gave Erica any special treatment even when she was a child. As such, she envied Yvette very much, because the old man loved her elder sister more.
Paling in comparison to her sister, Erica felt as though she was a pair of her father's old smelly socks that he always wanted to throw away.
Wesley said nothing, smiling and shaking his head to himself. Erica wondered if his silence meant yes, or if it meant that they had walked to the center of the stage.
Matthew stretched out his hand to her. A hint of ambivalent feelings filled her heart. Exorbitant bride price; exquisite phoenix coronet and robes of rank; a sedan chair; Ferghana horses; and a luxurious and high-end wedding venue... They gave Erica the illusion that Matthew was marrying the woman he loved the most, not someone who was a complete stranger to him.
However, Erica was a bit moved by Matthew's efforts. After all, he could have married any other woman. He knew she was a single mother and yet he was willing to give her a glamorous wedding ceremony.
The moment Wesley put her hand on Matthew's, Erica felt sad, even though she didn't know how Wesley was feeling.
From this day onwards, she would part ways with her strict father and nagging mother, to live with a man she didn't know. Not only would she share the same bed as him, she would also birth and raise his children for him. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought of this.
Who knew that the proud and arrogant Erica would surrender to fate one day?
Rhea asked someone to bring a tissue and quietly handed it to Erica. Then she whispered worriedly, "Rika, this is your wedding. Smile and be happy, okay? Please don't cry!"
Just as Erica was about to take the tissue, the man standing next to her swooped in and grabbed it from Rhea.
Erica looked at him in astonishment as he took the tissue and wiped the tears off her face with a deadpan expression.
Matthew cast a cold glance at her and warned her in a low voice, "This is a wedding! Hold back your tears and put aside your unhappiness. If you dare to embarrass me today, I'll be sure to make your life very difficult."
Erica kept silent, but cursed at him in her mind. 'What is wrong with this man? How would my crying embarrass him?'
The emcee beside them couldn't help but marvel. "Wow, the bride is moved to tears. She's getting married and going to be the daughter-in-law of the Huo family. She must be very excited. And our groom is so considerate that he is wiping tears for our emotional bride..." Thanks to his words, everyone thought that those were Erica's tears of joy.
When the bride finally stopped crying, Matthew handed the crumpled tissue back to Rhea.
The emcee duly announced as the couple exchanged wedding rings.
On Erica's ring finger was a shining diamond ring that was as big as a pigeon egg, while Matthew was wearing a simple platinum ring.
The emcee continued, "It is fate that brought our bride and groom here together. After experiencing sunrises and sunsets, winters and summers, good and bad, years after years, they have finally arrived to this wonderful and exciting part of their lives. Next, let me ask the groom. Do you take Miss Erica Li to be your lawfully wedded wife?"