Chapter 20 - NORA’S MONEY
Receiving Helena bequest changed Nora more than she expected.
At first she bought nothing.
Same apartment.
Same car.
Same job.
Her lawyer told her funds after settlement and interest totaled $7.8 million.
Nora laughed.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s compensation plus eighteen years lost returns.”
“Still.”
She could quit hospitality.
Didn’t.
Then coworkers learned from news.
Some treated differently.
One asked loan joking.
Manager became overly polite.
Nora hated.
She took leave.
Julian warned:
“Wealth isolates.”
“Spoken like expert.”
“Yes.”
She hired independent financial adviser unaffiliated Hawthorne.
Good.
She established:
emergency reserve,
investment trust,
fund for her own goals.
She considered scholarship in Rebecca and Helena names but waited.
No emotional spending.
She bought a two-bedroom condo in Stamford with cash.
Modest relative, beautiful water view.
First night Julian came.
No staff.
They ate takeout on floor.
Nora said:
“This is first place I own.”
He looked at her.
“Congratulations.”
“No ‘I could have bought building.’”
“I’m growing.”
She laughed.
Then she produced duplicate key.
“Do you want?”
Julian paused.
“Is this relationship step?”
“Yes.”
He took.
“Then yes.”
He gave her key to his apartment—not Alderwyn.
Equal.
They still maintained homes.
Good.
May you like
Adult relationship.
---
