Chapter 41: Meeting The Mother-In-Law
Mrs Van Doren descended the grand staircase and Lyse’s gaze fixed on the older woman as she came closer. Mrs. Van Doren, her fake mother-in-law, exuded an air of timeless elegance. Her every movement was graceful, her demeanor poised. Lyse, momentarily forgetting her apprehension, found herself captivated by this woman’s aura.
Mrs. Van Doren’s sharp voice chided her daughter, Laurie, for being too boisterous.
"Well, they are married and they are bound to be making babies." Laurie pouted, "it’s not like I am an innocent child who does not know what happens with married people."
"You better be an innocent child, you are just seventeen." Levi growled and cuffed the back of her head.
The younger woman rolled her eyes, a familiar sibling dynamic playing out. When Mrs Van Doren reached the bottom of the stairs she embraced her son affectionately and then she scolded him about not coming back home as often as he should.
Lyse’s attention, however, was drawn elsewhere. Her eyes had landed on the exquisite jewelry adorning Mrs. Van Doren’s neck. It was a stunning vintage piece, its intricate design and unique craftsmanship instantly recognizable.
A surge of excitement coursed through Lyse. She knew that piece. It was a rare design by a renowned jewelry house, a collector’s item. How could she, a young woman from a modest background, possibly recognize such a piece?
It was a moment of pure serendipity, a fleeting connection between two women from different worlds.
Before she could fully process her thoughts, the words tumbled out of her mouth. "That necklace... it is a Van Cleef & Arpels, isn’t it? The ’Fleurs de Paris’ collection."