Grandpa's Nursing Home Abused Him, Now The Negligence Settlement Is My Wedding Gift

The irony of owning Thorne’s estate settled into a comfortable reality over the next year. Elena stood in the center of the children’s library—the very one where she used to stack books while counting pennies for ramen. Now, her name was on a brass plaque by the door as the primary donor. The charity donation tax deduction was nice, but seeing the new books was better.

She turned as the door creaked. Julian walked in. He looked different—no longer the scrappy strip-mall lawyer, but a man comfortably running a high-profile firm. Yet, as he approached her, he looked nervous.

"Checking on the investment?" Elena teased, running a hand over a new shelf.

"Something like that," Julian said. He dropped to one knee right there between the Biography and Fiction sections.

Elena’s breath hitched. Julian pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. The diamond engagement ring inside caught the overhead fluorescent light, sparkling like a promise.

"Elena," he started, his voice thick. "We've fought wars together. I don't want to fight anything without you again."

Elena nodded before he could even finish. "Yes. Yes, Julian."

He slipped the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. He stood and kissed her, surrounded by the stories she loved.

"We need a venue," he whispered against her hair.

Elena pulled back, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I have a place. It needs a little work. And we need to burn a few portraits first. But it's got plenty of room for a wedding."