Given the circumstances of the accident, the insurance company will be paying out the full value of the policy.» I looked up, sniffling, and asked, «What does that mean?» Mr. Thompson gave me a small smile and said, «It means you’ll be receiving a large sum of money, enough to pay off your mortgage and more.» As we left the lawyer’s office, I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
We were going to be OK. Paul had made sure of it. As we pulled into our driveway, I noticed a familiar car parked on the street. My heart sank as I recognized Maria’s sleek sedan.
«Oh, no,» I muttered, «what now?» Sure enough, Maria and Olivia were waiting on our front porch. But this time, I wasn’t afraid. I had Paul’s letter in my pocket and the strength of his love in my heart.
«Julie,» Maria began as we approached, her voice sickly sweet, «we need to talk about Paul’s estate.» I stood tall, looking her straight in the eye. «No, Maria, we don’t.
Paul left everything to me. It’s all legal and official. And do you want to know why? Because we were his real family, not you.
Now, please leave. You’re trespassing on my property.» For once, Maria was speechless. Olivia tugged at her arm, whispering urgently.
With one last venomous glare, they got in their car and drove away. The weeks after our meeting with the lawyer were busy. I threw myself into settling Paul’s affairs, grateful for the distraction from my grief.
The insurance payout came through. And just as Mr. Thompson had said, it was enough to pay off our mortgage with plenty left over. One afternoon, as I was going through Paul’s desk, I found a small notebook.
Curious, I opened it and saw pages filled with his messy handwriting. It was a journal of sorts, full of his thoughts and plans for our future. «Thinking about starting a college fund for our future kids,» one entry read.
«One to make sure they have the best start in life.» My heart clenched. We had talked about having children someday, but had decided to wait until we were more financially stable…
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