Chapter 60: A Fortune

Miranda

I was in the living room, wrapped in Magnus’s arms as we enjoyed a moment of peace with our daughter Melany. The little one’s laughter filled the air, and for an instant, it seemed like everything was in its place.

“At last, a bit of tranquility, it was necessary, you know?” Magnus spoke, sighing.

“I had forgotten how good it felt to have a moment of peace.”

However, the tranquility was interrupted by a sudden sound: the doorbell. I looked at Magnus in surprise, and the joy that lit up our faces faded in anticipation of what might happen.

“Magnus.”

“I know, I’ll go see.”

“We’ll both go.”

We stood up, and with Melany still in our arms, we headed towards the door. The doorbell rang again, this time more insistently, as if the person on the other side was impatient. Magnus took my hand firmly, sharing my unease.

The heart was pounding as we opened the door, fearing to face someone from the dark past that seemed to haunt us. When the door opened, we were met with an unexpected figure. The surprise was reflected on our faces as we saw someone we hadn’t anticipated.

The person standing before us had a serious and determined expression, but we still didn’t know why they had come. Tension hung in the air as we waited for this mysterious figure to reveal their purpose. Uncertainty took hold of us as we faced the unknown that had just knocked on our door, it was a lawyer, a formally dressed man with a briefcase in hand, he looked at us seriously as he explained the unexpected reason for his visit.

“Come in,” Magnus indicated.

Patrick remained alert, watching and ready to intervene at any perceived threat, and Magnus and I exchanged glances from time to time.

“Mr. and Mrs. Anderson,” the lawyer began, “I regret to interrupt your peace, but there are legal matters that require your attention.”

He invited us to sit down, and we did so with some caution. The confusion in us was obvious, as we waited for him to reveal the purpose of his visit. After a brief sigh, he continued.

“It turns out that, after carefully reviewing Richard’s legal documents, we have discovered a significant error in his financial management. It seems that part of the fortune he owned now legally belongs to you.”

Silence took over the room as we processed the information. Magnus and I looked at each other incredulously, trying to comprehend the magnitude of what we had just heard.

“How is that possible?” I asked, my voice still marked by disbelief.

It seemed hard to believe. The lawyer explained that during the legal process in which we faced Richard in court, it was discovered that certain assets that he claimed to be his were legally linked to my name and Magnus’s. It was as if a significant part of his wealth had been deliberately hidden, and the victory in the trial revealed this reality.

Magnus, although initially skeptical, began to process the information. Patrick relaxed slightly, but still maintained his vigilant attitude.

“This could change our lives in many ways,” Magnus muttered. “I don’t know if I want to have anything that belonged to Richard, I don’t need it either.”

The lawyer nodded and handed us some documents to back up his claims. As we reviewed the papers, the reality of our new situation began to sink into our minds. The fortune that Richard had illegitimately accumulated was now legally within our reach.

“And what happens to the rest of Richard’s fortune?” I asked, still assimilating the information.

The lawyer explained that most of Richard’s assets would be distributed among his creditors and that the part that legally belonged to us was secured. However, the process would take time, and we would have to be patient. A mix of emotions flooded the room: disbelief, gratitude, and above all, the feeling that fate was finally turning in our favor.

Life was giving us a second chance, and although trust in the legal system had been shaken, this revelation marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. With the surprising news that we were now legally owners of a significant part of Richard’s fortune, Magnus and I decided to take steps to secure a solid future for Melany.

Sitting in the living room, we reviewed the details and options available to us.

“I think the most sensible thing would be to create a fund for Melany, don’t you think?” I suggested, looking at Magnus for approval.

Magnus nodded with a smile on his face, completely agreeing with the idea.

“Yes, definitely. We want to make sure she has all the opportunities she needs in the future.”

We contacted the lawyer who had given us the news and explained our intention. He worked with us to establish a trust and an investment fund that would ensure Melany’s financial well-being over the years.

“It will be an additional security for her,” Magnus said as we reviewed the documents.

With the trust established and the funds allocated, we were ready to ensure a prosperous future for our daughter. As Melany happily played in the living room, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude for the opportunity to provide her with a solid foundation.

Once Melany’s future was secured, another thought crossed my mind.

“Magnus, what would you think if… we planned our wedding?”

A playful smile appeared on his face.

“Our wedding? Really?” I nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, why not? Now that we have all this, I want to celebrate our life together in a meaningful way.”

Magnus approached and hugged me affectionately.

“I think it’s perfect. Let’s do it. But, doesn’t it take time to plan a wedding?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll call Silvia, she can make everything work, and besides, who said we need to wait long?”

“I like this plan, we’ll be married sooner than you think, to be honest, I had also thought about it.”

I took my phone and called Silvia, our always efficient event organizer.

“Hello, Silvia. Are you busy? We have something important to discuss.”

The conversation with Silvia was exciting and full of laughter. I told her about the sudden fortune, the fund for Melany, and our decision to finally take the step towards marriage.

Silvia, always ready for the challenge, gladly accepted the task of organizing our wedding in record time.

“An express wedding? It will be my favorite challenge so far. I’m excited!”

With Silvia’s promise that everything would be ready in the blink of an eye, I hung up the phone and turned to Magnus.

“Well, it looks like we’re going to have a pretty quick wedding. Are you ready for this?”

Magnus smiled and gave me a tender kiss.

“I’m more than ready. I’m eager to officially call you my wife.”