Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 498

Lucinda couldn't hide her delight as she graciously accepted the gifts without a hint of refusal. "Grandma, could you please help me put these on? Anything from you, I'm bound to cherish," she beamed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"The more, the merrier," she added, her grin widening.

"Amy," the elderly woman called out again.

Quickly, Amy appeared with two crimson jewelry cases.

"Grandmother," Amy said as she handed the cases to the old lady, who took one and nestled it in Lucinda's arms before reaching for the second.

"Grandma, what are these?" Lucinda asked with a gentle and surprised smile. "Are all these for me?"

Her grandmother chuckled, "These are the gifts your granddad and I had prepared for you. It's not our first meeting, but you've been away for over two decades, and only today have you returned. It's like our first meeting at home, so consider these a welcome gift."

"I wasn't sure what you'd fancy, but I remember when you were just a few months old, you'd always tug at the necklace I wore. You must have a liking for jewelry, so we picked out some fine pieces for you."

With a twinge of pride, the grandmother boasted, "These jewels aren't new purchases, but they are treasures from my personal collection, handed down to me as part of my dowry from your great-grandmother. In her day, she was a lady of high society, and her jewelry is not only valuable but also of great collector's worth."

Lucinda laughed joyfully, "Grandpa, Grandma, thank you both so much. You're too kind. I'll wear these treasures every day."

Stefan interjected with a playful remark, "Already kicking me to the curb, I see."

Knowing his wife was teasing to provoke others, Stefan maintained his composure, a gentle smile always gracing his handsome face, his gaze fixed on Lucinda. Even ten-year-old Molly Blue could tell that her brother-in-law was exceedingly fond of his cousin who had just returned.

"Grandma, I want a jewelry case, too," Molly piped up. As a child, she had always been doted upon by her grandmother, not quite as much as Lucinda, but still the favorite among all the grandchildren.

Her mother had taught her to ask for valuable gifts, but her grandmother had refused and even warned her mother privately.

Molly had once snuck into her grandmother's private collection, a sight so dazzling it put the finest jewelry stores to shame.

Now that her cousin had returned, the grandparents had prepared such precious gifts for her, and Molly felt a twinge of envy. She knew that as a child, her fits of jealousy wouldn't be taken seriously by the adults.

Throwing herself into her grandmother's embrace, Molly whined, "Grandma, you can't stop loving me just because my cousin is back. You always say I'm your favorite."

"Grandma, I want a jewelry case too. Please, can grandpa and you give me one?" she asked, sneaking a peek at Lucinda and sticking out her tongue playfully.

Lucinda smiled generously, not wanting to squabble with a child.

Clutching the cases, Molly thanked her and shot a triumphant look at Lucinda as she turned to rejoin her parents, "Cousin Lucy, Grandma gave me two jewelry cases, too."

Lucinda watched her little cousin with the cases and said brightly, "Molly's jewelry cases are very pretty."

Lucinda's jewelry box was hefty, the kind that whispered of treasures within even before the lid was lifted.

Little Molly's, on the other hand, might as well have been empty.

After all, no ten-year-old could saunter about, carting two jewelry boxes with the ease of carrying a pair of eggs, unless they were light as feathers.

With a smug grin, Molly trotted back to her parents' side.

Lucinda, gracious as ever, accepted each one with a smile, her arms nearly buckling under the weight of generosity.

This wasn't her first rodeo with the Blue clan, but today marked her official return to the fold, and it was quite the affair—rekindling ties with a dash of pomp and circumstance.