Ethan: I need to clear my head before the collectors start calling again today.
Ethan walked toward the small kitchen to grab a glass of tap water. His throat felt completely dry from crying, and his head throbbed with a dull pain.
The apartment felt strangely large without Chloe's chatter filling the hallway. He set the empty glass into the sink and noticed her silver ring lying right next to the faucet.
Ethan: She really left everything behind without looking back once.
He picked up the small silver ring and tossed it into the trash bin under the counter. The phone on the kitchen counter suddenly began to vibrate violently against the granite top.
Ethan: Hello? This is Ethan speaking.
Lawyer: Good morning, Mr. Miller. My name is Arthur Pendelton from Pendelton Law Associates.
Ethan held his breath, expecting another collection agency demanding immediate credit card payments.
Ethan: Look, if this is about the overdue mortgage, I need a few weeks to organize my funds.
Lawyer: No, Mr. Miller, this is not a debt collection call regarding your house.
Ethan: Then why are you calling my private line on a Tuesday morning?
Lawyer: I am the executor of your late grandfather Charles Miller's final estate trust.
Ethan froze near the kitchen table. He had not spoken to his grandfather in over seven years following a bitter family misunderstanding over land.
Ethan: My grandfather passed away? I had no idea he was ill.
Lawyer: He passed three weeks ago, and his final probate process was completed yesterday afternoon.
Ethan: Why are you reaching out to me after all these years of silence?
Lawyer: You are listed as the sole primary beneficiary of his entire private estate and trust fund.
Ethan clutched the edge of the kitchen counter to balance himself. He could hear the paper shuffling through the receiver as the lawyer spoke.
Ethan: There must be some kind of administrative mistake on your paperwork, sir.
Lawyer: There is no mistake, Ethan. You inherited his commercial property and financial portfolio.
Ethan: How much is the actual inheritance after paying off his final taxes?
Lawyer: The liquid cash assets alone come out to four million two hundred thousand dollars.
Ethan dropped his phone onto the soft kitchen rug in sheer disbelief. The lawyer's voice kept speaking softly through the tiny speaker near his feet.
Lawyer: Mr. Miller? Are you still on the line with me?
Ethan bent down with trembling fingers to pick up the phone and pressed it tightly against his ear.
Ethan: Yes, I am here. Did you say four million dollars?
Lawyer: Yes, plus the full ownership rights to his commercial real estate firm downtown.
Ethan: When do I need to come sign the official legal documents?
Lawyer: Please visit my office downtown at two o'clock this afternoon with your official identification.
Ethan: I will be there right on time, Mr. Pendelton. Thank you so much.
He hung up the phone and stood motionless in the center of his messy kitchen. The pile of unpaid bills on the table suddenly looked tiny and completely meaningless.
Ethan: She left two hours too early.
A cold smile spread across Ethan's face as he looked at the front door where Chloe had walked out. He wiped his face clean and walked toward his bedroom to change clothes.
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