Chapter 200 The Origin of the Engagement
Of course, it looked familiar. This wasn't just any necklace; it was part of a couple's set.
Luke didn't say a word. He walked around the desk, opened the drawer next to Elsa, and pulled out a box that was the same size.
When he opened it, the other necklace lay nestled inside.
"This is what David gave you that day."
"To be precise, he was returning it to its rightful owner." Elsa took Luke's necklace too, holding both in her palm. Her voice was low and raspy. "Wanna hear a story?"
"Let's sit and chat."
It was rare for Elsa to want to talk. Luke sat on the only chair, then pulled her onto his lap.
Only when he held her did Luke feel at ease.
Elsa protested a bit, but seeing that Luke wasn't letting go, she gave in.
Twenty-one years ago, Elsa's mom, Leslie, was doing simultaneous interpretation at a big international business meeting. During a break, Rhys suddenly collapsed, causing quite a scene.
Rhys had severe thalassemia and needed an emergency blood transfusion. Leslie was the only one with a matching blood type.
Leslie immediately rolled up her sleeve and donated blood to Rhys.
"According to my mom, she donated 600 milliliters. She was dizzy and pale afterward."
Recalling Leslie's story, Elsa's expression softened under the study lamp.
"After that, Rhys decided to arrange a marriage to show his gratitude?" Luke asked.
Luke felt a warm tenderness in his heart hearing this. He finally understood where Elsa's personality came from. Leslie was also such a righteous and strong person.
"No." Elsa shook her head. "A few days after donating blood, my mom still felt unwell. So she went to the hospital for a check-up and found out she was already one month pregnant. When she came out of the obstetrics department, she ran into Rhys."
Rhys was deeply moved after learning about Leslie's situation. That's when he decided on the marriage and gave the necklace as a token.
"At that time, Rhys meant that if my mom's first child was a son, the marriage would still be valid if she later had a daughter."
"How did the necklace end up in David's hands?" Luke asked.
David, in order to gain the support of the Taylor family, used the necklace to create confusion, almost costing Luke his chance with Elsa. Luke's eyes darkened.
"To form an alliance with the Taylor family, David let Phyllis snatch the necklace from my mom." Elsa's voice was flat.
"After the necklace was taken, my mom felt powerless. To get it back, she threatened David with her life. But her actions alerted the Miller family that if she didn't die, she would keep pestering them, so they took the opportunity to constantly provoke her until she eventually committed suicide."
Elsa didn't continue, but Luke already knew. Earlier this year, Leslie's suicide had shocked the entire city.
Luke heard the choke in Elsa's voice. He cupped her face in his hands.
Elsa's eyes held no tears, only deep sorrow.
"Fate ultimately brought us together, so Leslie's efforts weren't in vain," Luke said.
Luke gently caressed Elsa's cheek with his thumb, his voice incredibly tender as if afraid of scaring her.
"My mom didn't insist that I must marry you. If she were alive, I might not have chosen to marry into the Taylor family. But for the sake of this necklace, for me, Leslie gave her life. I have no choice but to marry you."
"I know I've gained an advantage by marrying you, but this wasn't my intention."
After finishing the story, Elsa got back to her main point. She looked into Luke's eyes and said seriously, "If the Taylor family really feels reluctant to marry a common girl, I can return the necklaces to you and let everything go back to the way it was."
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