Around lunchtime the next day, a loud doorbell woke him up.

  Ding-dong—ding-dong—!

  “Frank, are you there? It’s been a long time.”

  An unexpected guest stood outside.

  It was Asha’s mother, Mrs. Marta Verma.

  Frank opened the door awkwardly.

  He usually didn't invite guests

  because he was embarrassed to be still living off his mother at nearly thirty,

  but Marta was different.

  “My mother went to work.”

  “Oh, did she? That’s okay. I just wanted to see your face after all this time.”

  Marta looked much thinner than a month ago.

  It was the face of a mother who had lost her daughter.

  Frank felt a stabbing ache in his chest for a moment.

  “Please come in. Would you like... some tea?”

  Frank searched the kitchen cabinets,

  but there was nothing to give.

  Finally, he put a glass of cold water on the table.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t have anything to give you.”

  “No, it’s okay. I appreciate it.”

  Marta took Frank’s hand.

  Her hand was rough and warm.

  It was the same warmth that had held him in his empty house as a child.

  “It’s already been over a month since Asha left.”

  “……You’re right. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the funeral.”

  Frank lowered his head.

  'Is this acting, or is it real?'

  It was that terrorist who drove her to her death.

  His emotions got mixed up, and his throat burned.

  “No. We all know how sad you must have been.

  You and Asha were like brother and sister.”

  Marta’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Frank. How have you been? Did you find a job?”

  “No, not yet... but I’m starting to think about opening a small shop.”

  Frank felt relieved that he had a convenient answer to tell her.

  He didn’t know meeting that annoying Simon would help him so quickly.

  “A shop? That’s great! What kind of shop?”

  Marta’s face lit up for the first time.

  “I’m thinking of a candy shop.

  Kids love it, and it’s peaceful.

  I’m looking for a place right now.”

  Frank answered truthfully.

  Although he didn’t give her all the details.

  “A candy shop. That’s wonderful, Frank.

  I’m so happy for you.”

  Marta searched her bag,

  took out a white envelope,

  and put it on the table.

  “Take this.”

  “What is this?”

  “It’s Asha’s life insurance money.”

  Frank’s eyes trembled.

  “What? What do you mean...?”

  Marta pushed the envelope toward Frank.

  “You and Asha grew up like brother and sister.

  I once thought you two might get married...

  but Asha chose someone else.

  To be clear, we think Chazra and his family are very good people,

  and we respect Asha’s choice. But...”

  Marta spoke kindly, with a look that was somewhere between pity and affection.

  “It would have been wonderful if you and Asha had married.”

  Those words hit Frank’s heart hard.

  Marrying Asha.

  It was something Frank had wanted his whole life.

  Many people had confessed their love to him and dated him

  because of his good looks, but they all broke up quickly.

  They didn't look at Frank as completely as Asha did.

  All they ever wanted was to turn Frank into an accessory.

  This was the first time Marta had ever said something like this.

  Frank felt deep gratitude and guilt toward the Vermas,

  who had cared for him much more than his own parents.

  ‘How wonderful would it be to truly be a part of this family.’

  That fantasy he had indulged in countless times was,

  for the first time, acknowledged as a real possibility—

  spoken aloud by Marta herself.

  “But I can’t take this money.”

  The timing was too perfect.

  Right after he decided to open a shop,

  Marta handed him money.

  He had spent all night failing to find a way

  and was going to meet Max today to figure out a solution.

  But now, a huge sum of money had appeared at the perfect time.

  Was this just a coincidence?

  Or was it a signal from Asha?

  “Her husband, Chazra, said he didn’t deserve to take it,

  so he gave it to us.”

  The tears that had been in Marta’s eyes began to fall.

  Frank quickly pulled out a tissue and gave it to her.

  “Thank you, Frank.”

  Marta pressed the tissue against her eyes to wipe away the tears.

  “It’s very... hard for us to use this money.

  So I thought about it.”

  Though the tears had stopped,

  the trembling in her voice made it easy to guess

  she hadn’t fully controlled her emotions yet.

  ‘Chazra, you Two-faced liar.’

  He was a man unfit to bear the weight—and the worth—of Asha.

  “If this money helps you with your new start,

  I think Asha would be happy in heaven.

  Asha would want you to live well.”

  “But... how can I take such a large amount...?”

  Frank hesitated.

  His fingertips were already trembling slightly.

  The money to start the shop.

  It was the very thing he and Max had been agonizing over.

  He even had the illusion that Asha wanted to come back to him in the end.

  While Asha’s death gave Chazra only despair,

  it gave Frank a seed of hope.

  “Please take it. Think of it as our Asha’s last gift to you.”

  “Mrs. Verma. I...”

  “You don’t have to say anything, Frank.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  I hope the shop does well.

  And please visit us often.

  Your room where you used to sleep is still there.”

  “What? I haven’t been there in over ten years...”

  Marta held Frank’s hand and smiled kindly.

  “Parents always keep a place for their children to return to.

  Don’t tell your mother I gave you this money.

  She might feel too sorry.”

  After saying those words,

  Marta just walked away.

  ‘Should I see how much it is?’

  Frank opened the envelope on the table with a dazed feeling.

  Inside was a single check for one million dollars.

  It was a huge amount of money.

  With this much,

  he might even be able to build a whole new building on those ruins.

  ‘Can’t I just keep all this money for myself?’

  Frank remembered all the days he suffered because of money.

  Actually, he wasn't the one who suffered directly.

  He had warm meals from the Vermas and a cozy house to live in.

  He rarely lacked anything he wanted.

  But his mother’s suffering weighed on his mind more than his own.

  ‘Why does Mom always have to work so hard?

  It must be because Dad isn’t here.’

  This was the biggest question and conclusion of Frank’s life.

  ‘With this much money, wouldn't Mom be able to live comfortably?’

  Frank asked Artistea.

  He could guess what the answer would be,

  but he wanted to feel sure about his decision.

  
  I can only provide information on how others manage money based on public data.>

  “You useless thing. You’re no help at all.”

  Frank ignored the AI’s apology.

  After all, he already knew the answer he wanted to hear.

  ‘I don’t want to be robbed of what I have or what has come to me.’

  Marta’s words echoed in his head.

  She said it would have been wonderful if he and Asha had married.

  That family became a twisted justification in Frank’s mind.

  ‘Then this money...

  isn't it a right I would have naturally enjoyed if I had married Asha?’

  Chazra was a coward who couldn't handle the weight and threw it away.

  He was just taking it because he deserved it.

  What’s wrong with the owner picking up what was thrown away?

  It was a perfect conclusion.

  Full of confidence,

  he immediately called Max and explained the situation.

  “Max. I got the money. Let’s start right away.”

  On the other side of the phone,

  Max shouted with excitement—

  louder than Frank had ever heard before.

  “Yes! Let's really do this right!”

  Working together.

  That was Frank’s conclusion.

  He would lose nothing.

  He would rather destroy something than have it taken away.

  People like Simon and Kimmie were just tools to use and throw away.

  But Max was different.

  He was the only one on his side who shared his every beginning and end.

  The next day, Max and Frank registered the business without delay.

  They decided to register Max as Frank’s employee, not a partner.

  They agreed that relationships involving money need clear hierarchy and calculation, especially between friends.

  They kept the source of the money a complete secret from Kimmie and Simon.

  They only said that Frank had successfully gotten a bank loan.

  Fortunately, the initial costs were lower than expected,

  so they were able to secure enough emergency funds just in case.

  But Frank didn’t tell even Max, his partner,

  the truth about the million dollars.

  ‘Trusting someone is different from showing them everything.’

  He lied and said he had only found $400,000.

  He told Max that with the support from Kimmie and Simon,

  they had $600,000 in total,

  which was enough to start.

  ‘Everything must be done safely.’

  This was how to grow what he had without losing anything—

  spreading the risk and hiding his real hand.

  He split the remaining $600,000,

  into bank deposits and stocks.

  Lacking professional financial knowledge,

  he split the money based on the ranking of the largest companies,

  which seemed the safest.

  A few days later, Frank had a meal with his mother after a long time.

  He didn’t get along very well with her.

  She was a nuisance,

  always pouring out nagging whenever they met.

  “You look very busy lately.”

  “…….” He didn’t answer.

  People said Frank’s good looks came from his mother,

  but that only existed in old photos.

  He thought he received much more from his father.

  His father was a German-American man with a strong build and solid muscles.

  But his mother was different.

  To Frank, she was another name for frustration.

  Her sunken eyes and the white hair between her blonde locks showed clearly that

  she didn’t take care of herself.

  There were food stains here and there on her poorly chosen clothes.

  No matter how many times he told her to dress better,

  she didn't listen.

  He was grateful that she raised him

  until he became an adult after his father died,

  but that was a separate issue.

  He wasn't entirely ignorant of her struggles,

  but that didn't grant her an excuse.

  The resentment for being abandoned in a stranger's house

  as a child had long since curdled into a deep-seated revulsion.

  It was so different from Asha’s house.

  That place was full of warmth and laughter.

  The strange items Adika brought,

  Marta’s delicious food,

  and even Asha,

  who was his everything.

  Survival damages relationships and dignity,

  and comparison destroys the self.

  “Does it taste good?”

  There was no way such a plain meal of mashed potatoes

  and orange juice could taste good.

  It felt even worse than the tasteless school lunches he had in the past.

  When Frank said nothing,

  she also lowered her head and continued her silent meal.

  Mrs. Marta had said many good things about his mother’s past,

  but he had never felt that himself.

  ‘Does she know Mrs. Marta gave me money?

  Why is she being so annoying today?

  Does she want to ask for money?

  Surely she isn't going to nag me again.’

  What annoyed him most, was her sudden change in attitude.

  'Why was this person,

  who never cared even when he got into trouble,

  making that face now?'

  'She found him annoying and ignored him as a child,

  so did she finally want to act like a mother?'

  He could not express any love,

  because of the wall of hate he felt for her.

  Her weak appearance,

  which changed every day,

  made him feel both love and hate.

  “Frank, do you have plans for today?”

  “Whew…… Why?”

  He was annoyed that she kept talking even though he didn't answer.

  He couldn't understand

  why she cared where he went

  or why she was suddenly asking these questions now.

  “It’s the anniversary of your father’s death soon.

  Would you like to visit his grave with me?”

  Frank took out his phone and checked the date.

  February 21.

  There was still time until March 21,

  the anniversary of his father’s death.

  ‘What is she doing?

  There’s still plenty of time.

  She’s being weird today.’

  “Why all of a sudden?

  You’ve always gone alone. I can't.

  I have too much work to do.”

  His head was full of thoughts about starting the shop with Max.

  It wouldn't be too late to visit his father’s grave after he succeeded.

  After all, it would always be there.

  “Can I ask what's going on?”

  Despite her soft tone,

  his mother’s face was full of suspicion and caution.

  'Ugh, so annoying.

  Why is she making that face now,

  when she never cared even when I got into trouble?

  She found me annoying and ignored me when I was a child,

  so does she finally want to act like a mother? It’s really disgusting.'

  “I got a good offer, so I’m going to open a shop.

  That’s why I have a lot of paperwork and people to meet.”

  His mother’s lips parted slightly as if she had many questions.

  Frank immediately raised his hand to stop her.

  “Oh, I’ll tell you since you’ll ask anyway.

  It’s not illegal; it’s just a candy shop.

  Someone I know is investing in me to try it out.

  Happy now?”

  “Really? That’s good. ….”

  Frank hated seeing his mother look so defeated.

  He wanted to meet Max quickly and talk about something else.

  He thought he should leave this house even a day sooner, earn money,

  and truly become independent.

  She continued her meal in silence,

  saying nothing more.

  Frank even hated the sight of that.

  ‘Being here is killing me.’

  “Thanks for the meal.

  I’ll take care of whatever I do,

  so don’t worry about it.”

  Frank immediately stood up, tossing the dishes aside with a harsh motion.

  A sharp, metallic clang rang out,

  but he didn't look back as he walked out.

  Just before closing the door, he called Max.

  “Hey, it’s me. You busy?

  If you have nothing to do today,

  let’s go buy some massage machines.”

  Max was surprised.

  “What? All of a sudden? For the shop?”

  “No, to give to my mother.”

  “Massage machines? Mother?

  Asha’s mother? Or your mother?”

  “Both of them, man.”

  “Really? Well, I’ve got nothing to do anyway,

  so I’ll hang out with you today.”

  Frank was grateful to Max.

  Frank didn't even have a car.

  “Are you buying these with the money left over from starting the shop?

  What a good son.

  Did you finally come to your senses?”

  “Hahaha, let’s say that.

  I need to keep my senses sharp,

  especially if I’m going to be making others lose theirs from now on.”

  Max snickered, agreeing with Frank’s words.

  “Let’s buy something for you too if you need anything.

  I’ll pay today, so just drive for me.”

  “Oh, okay. Got it.”

  * * *

  Frank moved around here and there with Max,

  enjoying the weight of money for the first time in a while.

  Each time he picked up an item without looking at the price,

  he felt a strange sense of freedom.

  When they arrived at the Verma residence,

  Frank’s hands were full of heavy gift bags.

  The couple smiled happily and hugged Frank.

  Frank greedily took in the warmth of their embrace.

  He loved this kind of warmth.

  “Where is the location?”

  Adika asked while unwrapping one of the gift boxes.

  The sound of rustling paper filled the room.

  Frank looked over his shoulder at Max,

  who was out in the car fiddling with his smartphone.

  “You know where the mosque burned down before? It was listed for a cheap price.”

  The sound of rustling paper stopped instantly.

  A heavy silence filled the room.

  Marta looked like she might cry,

  and Adika quietly took off his glasses and set them on the table.

  “Well, Frank. That place...”

  Adika spoke cautiously while holding the silently crying Marta.

  Frank had already expected how they would react.

  He bowed his head, wearing a rehearsed expression of tragedy.

  “I know. But since it’s an opportunity Asha gave me,

  I thought it was right to start there.

  I should have told you sooner, I’m sorry.”

  Marta pulled out of Adika’s arms and hugged Frank tightly.

  A scent like Asha’s tickled his nose.

  Frank was now certain.

  This money and this place were now entirely his.

  “I... see. Yes. I suppose you could think that way.

  Right. The living must go on living.

  Someone has to move forward.

  You’ve made a good decision. Well done.

  I’ll support you.”

  Adika hugged both Marta and Frank and patted them.

  ‘I’ve solved the most difficult problem.’