Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Should you fail to be married one year from the date of this letter or to show up on the date of your one-year wedding anniversary, you will lose all access to the funds, and Mr. Mullins will be instructed to disperse the remaining funds to our charities as well.
This may seem harsh, but I feel it’s imperative that these stipulations remain in place. I assure you that the documentation that Mr. Mullins has prepared is ironclad, and this is the only way for you to gain access to your inheritance.
If you are currently married, you must submit your marriage license to Mr. Mullins, and the same rules apply. You must live with your spouse in the same house and present one year from the date you submit the license to Mr. Mullins to gain your inheritance.
Go live, love, and be happy, my grandson. Live up to your name, and be the legend of the family, and follow your heart.
Your grandmother,
Elaine Hammond
My hands holding the letter fall to my lap as I stare wide-eyed at my parents. “Is this a joke?”
My mother shakes her head, a sad look on her face. “No. That’s who she is, who they both were. They had to maintain control at all costs.”
“They can’t control me,” I seethe, tossing the letter to the couch as I stand and pace across the living room floor. “How dare she think she can just send some letter after she’s dead and gone and dictate my life. For money. I don’t need her damn money.” I’m pissed. She abandoned my mom, which includes my father and me. She had years to reach out to us, and she refused, and now this? She thinks this is making things right? She’s fucking delusional.
“Son,” Dad warns.
“Did you not hear the words that I just read to you? To hell with her.”
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” Mom assures me.
“Legend, son, that’s a lot of money.” This is from my dad.
I whip my head around, mouth falling open in shock, to look at him. “Do you hear yourself right now? That’s not what we’re about. We don’t let money buy our love. We’re Raines. Isn’t that what you preached to me growing up? That money can’t buy happiness, and you should be true to yourself. How can you even suggest that I entertain this idea?”
Dad holds up the hand that’s not wrapped around Mom. “Son, that’s not what I’m saying.”
“What are you saying, Dad?” I stop pacing to place my hands on my hips and glare at my father.
“I think you should consider all of your options. If you fall in love within the next year and find a woman who you know without a doubt that you can’t live without, then consider this and what it could do for you and your family.”
“I do fine on my own. My home is paid for; I have a nice nest egg in the bank. My business is thriving. What more could I ask for?” I challenge.
“Legend, please sit.” Mom’s voice is calm and soothing, and I hate being short with her or denying her anything, so I do as she asks and park my ass back on the couch. “What your father is trying to say badly is that you don’t know what the next year of life is going to toss your way. If you fall in love and get married, then why not show up on your one-year anniversary and collect the money?”
“Because they abandoned you. Us. That’s why.” I try to keep the anger out of my voice.
“That’s in the past, Legend,” Mom says gently. “We don’t let our past hold us back. Instead, we live for today and all our tomorrows. If the timeline fits, then I say you do what you have to do to take the money. Technically, that money should have been mine, and I would love nothing more to know that you and your future family would be set for life because of it.”
“Are you really saying I should go through with this?”
Mom shrugs. “Only if you want to.”
“I’m not engaged. Hell, I’m not even dating anyone,” I remind her.
“That could change. Just keep an open mind. You have one year from—” She leans over and grabs the envelope that’s made its way to the coffee table. “—last Thursday. A lot can happen in a year.”
“In thirty-one years, I’ve yet to find someone I feel I can’t live without. The chance of that happening in the next twelve months is slim.”
Mom nods. “You could be right, but you could also be wrong. We don’t know our futures, Legend. The day I met your father, I was at the mall, waiting for food at the food court. I wasn’t supposed to be there, but I defied my mother and went anyway. Your dad and a few of his friends were behind me in line. I dropped my wallet, and he picked it up for me. Our eyes met, and the rest is history.”