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“Love you guys,” I tell my parents. They both bend to give me hugs, refusing to let me move off the couch. This is my first day home, and while I appreciate the company, I’m ready to just snuggle with my husband.
“Come here.” Legend pulls me onto his lap and snuggles me. “Fuck, baby. I missed you. I’ve never been more scared in my life.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m just so fucking relieved to have you here in our home, in my arms.”
“This is where I always want to be. It’s not why we started and not how this story was supposed to end. I like this ending better.”
“I can’t do this without you, Monroe. I can’t live this life without you.”
“I love you.” He leans in and kisses me. “I’m tougher than I look,” I tease, trying to make light of the situation.
“My wife’s a fighter.” He kisses my cheek when there’s a knock at the door. He sighs. “You are so damn lovable, everyone wants to check on you. It’s going to be hours before I get you all alone.”
“You have me forever, Legend.”
“Damn right I do.” He lifts me off his lap and gets up to answer the door.
I hear the door open and then, “What are you doing here?”
I stand because I don’t know anyone that my husband would be asking that question of. Not in that tone of voice. I make it to the entryway. “Who is it?”
“My grandparents' attorney, Mr. Mullins.”
I can feel the color drain from my face. “Legend. What day is it?”
“Our anniversary was two days ago.”
“No. Oh, no. Legend. I’m so sorry.”
He turns toward me, pulling me into his arms. “No. That money wouldn’t have done a damn thing to bring you back to me. I don’t care about the money, Mo. I never did. You’re all I need. We’ll figure out a way to expand, and if we don’t, that’s fine too. We’re all doing well for ourselves where we are. We’ll level up when we can. No amount of money was worth leaving your bedside.”
“Do you mind if I come in?” Mr. Mullins asks.
“Of course,” I answer. Legend scowls, but I ignore him. “Come on in and have a seat.” I turn and start walking toward the living room. My husband refuses to release me, so he’s headed that way, too, and I assume Mr. Mullins is following. Legend gets me settled on the couch and covers me up with one of the many blankets he’s bought for me before sitting next to me.
“There has to be something we can do. I was in the hospital.”
“I know. I talked to your husband.”
“Can we submit medical records or something?” I ask.
“Baby, we don’t need that money.”
“I know, but you were going to expand the business. It’s your inheritance, Legend, and you’re losing it because of me.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the money. Do you hear me? All I need is you, Mo. Nothing else matters.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to read you something.” Mr. Mullins reaches into his briefcase and pulls out a folder. From inside the folder, he pulls out a small stack of papers. He clears his throat and begins to read.
“‘In the event that my grandson has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that he married for true love, his inheritance is to double to ten million dollars. This is to be kept quiet, as we need to be absolutely certain. Knowing about the additional funds can make anyone a good actor. As our trusted legal counsel, this decision will lie in your hands. We give you the power to disperse the additional inheritance as you see fit. If, in fact, you do not feel that my grandson and his wife are truly in love, then the remaining five million will be split between the already mentioned charities.’” Mr. Mullins places the papers back in the folder and slides the folder into his briefcase.
There’s a buzzing in my ears as I try to process what I just heard. Ten. Million. Dollars. He didn’t lose the money. Instead, he got more.
Holy shit!
“Mr. Raines. Legend. I’ve been doing this job for over thirty years. I’ve never seen someone so adamant about giving up five million dollars. The love you have for your wife, and your wife for you, is apparent and beyond question. All I need from you is your signature and bank account numbers. Then the ten million dollars will be in your account within forty-eight hours.”
