My Loving Family Paid to Destroy Me novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: The Step

Nolan's POV

Laurel held the deed in both hands and did not read past the first page.

"No," she said.

"It's yours."

"I know whose it is." Her voice was thin. "I'm saying no. I can't take it."

"Laurel."

"You bought my grandfather's land with the money your grandmother left you. You walked into my room with it in an envelope, and you think this is how it's mended."

"I don't think it's mended."

"Then what is it?"

I had not planned an answer.

"It's the first thing I could take back for you," I said. "That's all it is."

She set the envelope on the card table.

"I'm not ready to be handed things," she said. "Not by you. Not today."

"I know."

"You hurt me, Nolan."

"I know that too."

"I'm not saying it so you'll kneel."

"I'm not going to kneel." I took the last paper out of my coat. "I came to give you this, too."

She looked at it.

It was a single sheet with a notary's seal.

"What is it?"

"The rest of the trust," I said. "It's signed over this afternoon to a hardship fund for nurses. The kind of nurses who work three jobs and sell their grandfathers' farms so a stranger can stay alive."

Her mouth opened.

"All of it?" she said.

"All of it. I kept nothing."

"Nolan, you have no money. You have no house, no family company, no name that isn't in the paper."

"I have a salary account I'll use for rent."

"You're a history teacher."

"I was a good one," I said. "I think I'd like to be one again."

She stared at me for a long moment.

Then she turned away and put her palm flat against the brick wall.

"Go home, Nolan."

"I don't have one."

"Then find one."

I walked out and shut the door behind me.

I did not go down the stairs.

I sat on the top step, in my courtroom suit, with my back against the wall and the cold coming up through the concrete.

← Chapter 22 · All chapters · Chapter 24 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend