Page 102 of Beautiful Crazy

Fight for her.

Maker her see how you truly feel.

Do whatever you have to do.

Soulmates aren’t a dime a dozen, Emmett. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to make a life with the girl of your dreams and there’s no doubt in my mind who that is.

Will it be hard? Probably.

Will crossing that line feel awkward? Not if it’s love.

If it’s love, everything will fall into place because you’ll both finally be allowing yourselves the one thing you’ve wanted for a long time. Raw, honest, pure love.

She’s everything you could ever want in a life partner, a wife, a mother, a best friend, a lover. Emily is walking, talking gold and you would be an idiot to let that one go. Don’t let her fall into the arms of another man. Sweep her off her feet and make her an official Fox. She’ll never let you down. Of that I’m certain.

“Damn, Dad. Tell me how you really feel.” I chuckle to myself feeling a little lighter. A little more confident.

He’s right though.

Maybe I haven’t lost her completely.

Maybe there’s still time to sweep her off her feet.

“I’ll fucking do it, Dad. I’ll get the girl. I’ll do whatever I have to do.”

I flip the page and continue reading.

Okay, last thing. The second envelope. This is a big explanation so listen closely.

Six years ago, I won the Kentucky Powerball Lottery. I was the sole winner of two hundred and thirty-six million dollars.

“Right,” I chuckle. “That’s a good one, Dad.”

Yeah, I know. In my dreams, right? It’s ok if that sounds unbelievable. Just keep reading.

I told nobody. I almost didn’t tell your mother, but she’s my partner and we don’t keep secrets from each other. The only other people who know are our family lawyer, and Mr. Anderson, our accountant. I didn’t tell anyone because with a lot of money comes a lot of power and responsibility. With that much money comes a lot of scammers and ridiculous opportunities that I didn’t want or need. I’m perfectly happy here in this small town, with my four sons and my beautiful wife. I chose the payout option of one hundred sixty-one million and I’m glad I did because I didn’t know then that I wouldn’t be here now to enjoy it. But you are. And so are your brothers.

“Wait…he’s fucking serious?” I stand up from the couch and pace the floor as I keep reading.

You see, Son, even one hundred sixty-one million dollars couldn’t keep a tumor from growing in my brain. It’ll kill me eventually and no amount of money can fix it. I can’t buy a whole new body and I can’t buy a new brain.

Because money doesn’t buy health.

Because money doesn’t buy happiness.

No amount of money is going to make my heart and soul any happier than it already has because I have what matters most in my life. I have my friends. I have this community of people who care about me and my family. I have you boys and I have your mom.

Once that money came in several years ago, I didn’t care what the bakery made profit-wise. Even now, it’s not about profit and loss. I’m using some of that lottery winning to give the community a reason to smile. I’m giving them a service that allows them to celebrate together with friends and loved ones while giving others in town a job and a living wage. I’m ordering our supplies and inventory from local friends so that I can help their businesses grow because I watch some of them stress over money every day. They don’t know I’m sitting on a lifetime gold mine. But they do know that I’ll happily give them the shirt off my back or any help they might need. If that means I can bring them a free cake or a few gifted loaves of bread…then I can lay my head down at night with a smile in my heart.

So, there’s a check in that envelope for you but it comes with a stipulation. You cannot tell a soul that you have it. The only ones who will know are Mom, Mr. Anderson, and Trent Michaels, our lawyer. You can’t even tell your brothers.

“My brothers…FUCK! Oh, my God, they already…holy shit! Those dickheads really kept their word and never told me!”

They’ll get theirs when the time is right just like you’re getting yours now. Use it to spread some happiness into the world, Emmett.

“Wait, so that means Asher…he doesn’t know yet?”

There’s a second check in the envelope that’s not for you. It’s for you to give to someone else. Break it down and give it to many people if you want to. Whatever you choose, I want you to make sure it’s gifted for good reason. You’ve always been a compassionate young man and I have no doubt you’ll find the right use for it. There’s more than enough in your check to live off for the rest of your life if you act wisely, so don’t hesitate to sprinkle the other one around like glitter. I know you won’t let me down.

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