Finally Russell visited the local police station and explained the entire situation. The officers recorded the discovery and said they would wait in case someone came forward to claim the money.
Several weeks passed slowly while Diana worried constantly about what might happen next. Russell repeated the same thought every evening.
“We acted honestly and that is what matters,” he reminded her calmly.
Eventually the police contacted them again and confirmed that nobody had reported missing money or furniture. The officers explained that the legal waiting period had passed and the decision now belonged to them.
That evening Diana and Russell sat together at the kitchen table where the bundles of money rested neatly inside a box.
“I do not want this fortune to change who we are,” Diana said firmly.
Russell nodded slowly.
“It will not change us because we will use it wisely,” he replied.
The first thing they did was think about their daughter and grandchildren. They bought warm winter coats, colorful picture books, and educational toys they could never have afforded before.