Elena’s cheeks warmed. She pushed lightly against his chest.
"Stop teasing me."
Elias chuckled. "I can’t help it."
He glanced at the table again. "You’ve made all this for me."
"Yes."
"Then I’m allowed to tease my wife a little."
Elena rolled her eyes, but a smile betrayed her. "Just sit down and eat."
"Yes, ma’am."
He pulled out a chair for her before taking the seat beside her.
For the first time that evening, the uneasiness in his heart began to fade.
Elias took the first bite of chicken and immediately nodded in approval.
"Mm... delicious." He took another bite. "The chicken is perfectly cooked. I love it."
He couldn’t stop praising her. "I didn’t know you were this good at cooking. Seems like I have to dismiss the chef."
Elena’s expression changed instantly.
Elias burst out laughing. "Look at you. You are pale."
"I am not," she protested instantly.
He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Don’t worry. I was only kidding. I won’t let you cook daily."
Elena smiled, her eyes gleaming with affection as she watched him eat with such enthusiasm. Her heart warmed.
"I promise I’ll cook for you on weekends."
Elias looked up at her, momentarily stunned. "Really?"
Elena rolled her eyes, pretending to be irritated. "Why are you so surprised? You are acting as if this is the first time you’ve eaten something I’ve cooked."
"I’m not saying you can’t cook." He gave her a teasing smile. "But tonight is different."
"What is so different?"
"Everything tastes better. You cooked tonight with love."
Elena almost laughed. "Yes. And the other times, I cooked with hatred in my heart."
"Maybe."
"Elias!"
He laughed. He clearly enjoyed teasing her, especially when he could make her roll her eyes at him.
After dinner, they moved to the recliners at the other end of the balcony.
Elena brought out something else. "I have more surprises for you."
She placed a photo album in his hands.
Elias looked at it curiously before opening it. His expression changed immediately.
The first photograph showed the two of them at his grandfather’s birthday celebration. They were standing beside each other, both grinning genuinely.
Elias remembered that day. He remembered how happy Elena had looked.
A smile appeared on his lips. Then he turned the page.
Another photograph from the same celebration appeared.
Leo was sitting between them, his little arms wrapped around both of them.
Elias chuckled. "Look at Leo. He looked so happy."
"He was."
Elias continued turning the pages. Then he stopped.
A photograph showed him slipping a ring onto Elena’s finger.
He stared at it for several seconds. A soft smile slowly appeared on his face.
Elena touched the ring still resting on her finger. "You bought this ring for me." She lifted her hand, showing it to him. "I’m still wearing it."
Elias looked at her. A warm feeling filled his chest.
"I’ll treasure this forever," she added softly.
"I know." He took her hand and examined the ring. "But I think I should replace it with a new one. Something more expensive. What do you say?"
The playful tone returned to his voice.
"No. There is no need." Elena immediately shook her head. "I love this one."
"Let’s exchange it for a more expensive one."
"This was the first ring you gave me," Elena reasoned. "It’s priceless. Even if you give me a more expensive one, this will always remain close to my heart."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "So you won’t like my other gifts?"
Elena pushed his shoulder. "Turn the page. Enough looking at this photograph."
He laughed and obeyed.
The next series of photographs showed their honeymoon.
Then he reached a photograph taken at the hot spring. Elena was sitting in the water, her face flushed and her hair damp. Her cheeks were still pink, making her look irresistibly adorable.
Memories came rushing back.
Elias stared at the photograph for a moment. Then he glanced at her.
"You look sexy."
Elena immediately covered the photograph with her hand.
"Why are you hiding it?"
"Because I look ridiculous."
"No." His voice dropped into a teasing murmur. "You look tempting."
He leaned slightly closer. "I remember that day. It was our first outdoor sex. I remember how red you became whenever I looked at you."
Elena’s cheeks immediately turned warmer. "Elias..."
A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "I think we should go back there someday, and..."
She quickly pressed a hand over his mouth. "Stop."
She knew exactly where his thoughts were going.
He chuckled against her palm. He gently took her hand away.
"I can’t help it." He leaned closer, his gaze lingering on her flushed face. "You were incredibly beautiful that day. I couldn’t hold myself back."
Elena blushed under his steady gaze. "Stop flirting."
She quickly turned another page, hoping to escape his teasing.
The next photographs showed smaller moments—ordinary days, quiet dinners, stolen smiles, and pictures of them strolling together.
Every photograph brought back a memory he had almost forgotten.
Some made him smile. Some simply made him pause, grateful for the life they had built together.
Finally, they reached the last photograph.
Elena closed the album. "But that’s not all."
She reached into a small box and took something out.
A dried flower. She held it carefully between her fingers.
"Do you remember this?"
Elias looked at it. He shook his head in confusion.
"No."
He couldn’t understand why she was showing him a dried flower.
"This was the first flower you ever gave me."
His eyes widened slightly. "This?"
"Yes."
He stared at the little flower. He genuinely hadn’t known she had kept it.
"You kept it all this time?"
"Of course."
He looked at her in unmistakable surprise. He had never imagined that she would hold on to something so small.
"You’ve given me so many surprises, Elias. But I wanted to prepare something memorable for you this time."
She gently touched the dried petals. "None of this is expensive. I just wanted to see if I could still surprise you."
Elias’s expression softened. "You did."
Elena smiled. "Really?"
"Completely."
She looked pleased.
"Then I have one last thing." She reached beneath the table and brought out a small jewelry box.
Elias watched curiously.
Elena opened the lid.
A dazzling blue diamond necklace rested inside. The diamonds shimmered beneath the tiny lights.
Elena looked at him with a teasing smile. "I hope you haven’t forget about this."