Michael stood at his grandmother’s funeral, feeling a heavy sense of loss. She had taken him in after his parents left, and he owed her everything. Despite his busy career, he sent her money every month, though she often complained he didn’t visit enough.
After the funeral, Michael went to the lawyer’s office to hear the reading of her will. He was expecting the house he grew up in to be his, but the lawyer handed him only a dollar and said that the details of the house’s inheritance were confidential.
Angry and confused, Michael drove to his grandmother’s house. Inside, he opened the envelope and found a note written in her neat handwriting: “There are things in life more important than money.” Turning the dollar over, he saw coordinates on the back. Intrigued, Michael entered them into his phone and found they led to a house on the other side of the city.
Arriving at the location, he was greeted by Emily, a young woman who revealed she knew his grandmother. Inside, the lawyer was sitting there, and Michael demanded answers. He was shocked to learn that his grandmother had left the house to Emily, someone he’d never met.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Emily, however, didn’t want the house. She offered to return it, but Michael refused, upset that someone he didn’t know had received his childhood home. He spent the night at the house, still fuming, but the next day Emily came to speak with him.
She explained that she and his grandmother had met at a literary club and formed a deep friendship. Emily wasn’t interested in the house, but Michael began to understand that his grandmother’s intentions weren’t about material wealth. Emily, although younger, had brought his grandmother joy in her final years.
As they spoke, Michael received a call offering him a job in another state. Realizing this was a sign, he told Emily she could keep the house, but only if he could visit sometimes. She agreed, and they shared a quiet moment in his old room, where Emily was fascinated by an old telescope.
Later, they went to the rooftop and looked at the stars together. Emily confessed her fear of their vastness, while Michael shared his belief that the stars, though distant, give light even after they’re gone. Emily smiled, understanding what he meant, and Michael realized he was finding peace with his life and his choices.
The next morning, Michael prepared to leave. Emily was hurt, realizing he was leaving after the connection they’d made, but he had already committed to the job. Michael drove to his new city, but soon found himself feeling empty despite the success he’d always wanted.
After a week of working at his new job, Michael found himself searching for Emily online. He discovered her novels, one about stars, and impulsively drove back to her town. He found her at a literary club and confessed that his grandmother had left him only a dollar and coordinates leading to her. He explained that his grandmother’s message had shown him that Emily—and love—were more important than his career.
Emily listened, her eyes softening as she processed his words. Michael told her he had quit his job, choosing to be with her instead. She kissed him, and the crowd at the literary club cheered. They kissed again, knowing they had found something special.
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