Mr. Cooper held Yvonne''s hand and spoke with her for a long time.


    Sensing his time was short, after talking with Yvonne and Bet, he called his wife to his side.


    Yvonne knew that Mr. and Mrs. Cooper''s final moments together were precious, so she and Bet considerately stepped out of the room.


    Mr. Cooper passed away peacefully, holding his wife''s hand.


    The doctor came in, announced the time of death, and offered the family his condolences.


    The sound of the Coopers'' weeping filled the room. Yvonne leaned against Bet''s chest, shedding silent tears of her own.


    Mr. Cooper had not left a will; all his assets went to his wife to ensure herfort in herter years.


    His two children had established their own careers abroad and had no intention of fighting over the inheritance.


    After Mr. Cooper''s passing, his children arranged a well-organized funeral for him.


    Mr. Cooper was a renowned figure in Istra, and many people came to pay their respects.


    Monica, Emma, and otherdies and wealthy wives who had once worn dresses handmade by Mr. Cooper also attended the funeral to see the old man off on his final journey.


    Yvonne kept her promise, preparing an assortment of pastries and cing them on the offering table before Mr. Cooper''s portrait.


    Bet, who hade with Yvonne,forted her after they paid their respects. "Mr. Cooper lived to be ny, surrounded by children and grandchildren. He had a full life with no regrets."


    "I know," Yvonne nodded.


    Although Mr. Cooper had lived a long and fruitful life, his death still marked the end of a connection, a final goodbye.


    Yvonne couldn''t help but feel a pang of sorrow.


    "I always felt like Mr. Cooper had recognized me all along. He''dpliment my pastries, saying they tasted just like my mother''s, he''d ask me to help him with his sewing, and he knew we''ve always been a couple."


    Bet nodded in agreement. "Age brings wisdom. Perhaps Mr. Cooper didn''t see


    people with his eyes, but with his soul."


    Many guests were invited to the funeral reception.


    Yvonne sat with Monica the entire time.


    As it was a somber asion, the guests were all very quiet. They offered their


    condolences, ate a simple meal, and quietly departed.


    Yvonne and Monica walked out of the banquet hall together.


    Monica held Yvonne''s hand and sighed, "The old master made a living with his craft


    his whole life. Now that he''s gone, his skills are lost with him."


    Both of Mr. Cooper''s children were highly educated professionals living abroad and had no interest in their father''s craft of dressmaking.


    Few young people today had the patience for handmade gowns, and Mr. Cooper had no apprentice. Many traditional crafts slowly fade away just like this.


    It was an unfortunate reality.


    "I heard from Bet that you two chose to get your license early next month," Monica asked.


    "Yes," Yvonne confirmed. "The paperwork has been approved. We''re going early next month."


    "That''s wonderful." Monica nodded, satisfied.


    With the two of them finally getting married, a great weight was lifted from her mind.


    After Yvonne had passed away, Bet had beenpletely shattered, almost following her. For years afterward, he had lived in a state of decay.


    In the years since Yvonne''s death, Bet had taken care of her and Bruce, never missing a holiday and always being there for the Jones family whenever they needed anything.


    Seeing him like that pained Bruce and Monica deeply. They had truly feared he


    would spend the rest of his life alone.