I nearly walked away—until I noticed a tiny smiley face in the corner. My heart sank. That was my drawing.
It was from a bundle of money my grandfather once offered me for my future—money I had declined. I had doodled that smiley during our last conversation, trying to make him smile. I turned to Grandpa’s close friend, Harrison, who confirmed what I feared most: Grandpa had entrusted the money to Michael, believing he would use it to help me.
Instead, Michael took it—and walked away. With Harrison’s support, I reached out to Logan, a sharp and compassionate attorney. Together, we confronted Michael at his upscale apartment.
Faced with legal consequences, he confessed and agreed to return the money in installments. A year later, I opened a veterinary clinic in memory of my grandfather. Logan came to the grand opening—and, in time, became my husband.
I still carry that smiley-faced $100 bill with me. It reminds me of the man who loved me unconditionally—and the one who always will.
