Chapter 10 - The New Will
A year after the accident, I walked into Julian’s downtown office without my cane.
The receptionist smiled warmly, waving me right through to his corner suite.
Julian stood up, buttoning his suit jacket.
“You’re walking perfectly,” he observed, clearly impressed.
“I had a lot of motivation to get back on my feet,” I smiled, taking a seat opposite his desk.
“We have the annual review of your estate,” he said, opening a familiar thick file.
I looked at the documents, remembering the night in the hospital when my hand shook as I signed them.
My hand wasn't shaking anymore.
“I want to make an addition,” I said.
Julian picked up his pen. “Who are we adding?”
“Marisol,” I said simply.
Julian didn't look surprised. “The nurse?”
“She quit the hospital to take care of me when my own blood wouldn't,” I explained.
“I want to leave a portion of the estate to her children's college fund.”
“Done,” Julian said, writing it down.
“And I want to leave the rest entirely to the foundation,” I finished.
Julian looked up, meeting my eyes.
“Are you completely sure?” he asked, echoing Marisol’s words from a year ago.
“Completely.”
My family had taught me a very expensive, very painful lesson.
Blood does not make you family; loyalty does.
As I walked out of Julian’s office and onto the busy city street, the sun warmed my face.
I didn't check my phone for missed calls.
I didn't worry about who I was letting down.
I hailed a cab and gave the driver the address to my foundation's headquarters.
May you like
I was finally living entirely for myself.
And for the first time in my life, that was more than enough.
