Chapter 915:
She handed Luka a finely crafted wooden box.
Luka frowned slightly. “That’s not necessary.”
“Luka, she worked late into the night to make this for you. Please take it,” Glenn urged.
“That’s right, Luka. Happy birthday,” Elaine said softly.
Luka was taken aback. He hadn’t imagined that after all this time, Elaine would still remember his birthday. Seeing her tear-filled eyes, he felt his resolve start to waver.
Luka opened the box and was stunned by the exquisitely crafted garment inside. Vienna, who was beside him, shared his astonishment. Although she wasn’t deeply rooted in the fashion industry, Vienna had, through years at her husband’s side, developed an appreciation for traditional craftsmanship.
The garment’s delicate stitching and embroidery were unmistakably handcrafted. They would have expected such workmanship from a seasoned tailor, but Elaine was the artisan!
Elaine, with no background in sewing, had managed to produce a piece with such intricate details, which meant she must have dedicated many days and nights to its creation.
“I hoped to finish it earlier, but I encountered some difficulties and only just managed it. I apologize for the delay, Luka; I wanted it to be a surprise!” Elaine confessed, her eyes watery.
Luka felt a warmth spread through his heart. Vienna quickly said, “Elaine, you should have told us sooner. We completely misjudged you, thinking you were indifferent when you actually hadn’t had the chance to explain.”
“It was my oversight that led to the delay,” Elaine admitted, feeling guilty.
Luka said, “We assumed you didn’t care about our gathering. Little did we know, you were preparing this beautiful garment for me!”
Luka noticed Elaine was concealing her hands behind her back, and upon grabbing them, he was startled to see her callused hands.
“What…” Luka was stunned.
Elaine tried to withdraw her hands awkwardly, but Luka held on to them. Glenn, who was observing, said, “She consulted numerous experts and spent a long time learning to craft this just for you!”
He jokingly added, “I’ve never received such attention.” His jest was light-hearted, as he understood Elaine had faced the early loss of her parents and it was Luka who had supported her through life’s challenges before she got married.
Moved by the revelation, Luka said, “Elaine, why didn’t you reach out to me earlier, you silly girl?”
“I thought you were still upset with me,” Elaine murmured, her voice small and remorseful.
“Ah…” Luka sighed. “It’s all in the past. Let’s not dwell on it. Now that I think about it, today marks 20 years!”
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