Ultimate Cash System

Chapter 201: Free to choose?



The bells of St. Andrew's Cathedral rang with a solemn yet uplifting rhythm, their echoes weaving through the crisp morning air. Sunlight spilled across the white stone steps, catching on the stained-glass windows that told stories older than the city itself. Lukas stepped out of the sleek black sedan, his hand instinctively reaching back to help Bella and their daughter, Liora, out of the car. Noah followed behind with his quiet, dependable presence, his eyes scanning the street with an almost protective instinct.

For Lukas, Sunday mornings had always been sacred—not merely as a tradition, but as a spiritual anchor in the relentless current of his life. In the world of boardrooms, billion-dollar valuations, and sleepless innovation, this was his sanctuary. Here, inside these stone walls, there were no negotiations, no stock charts—only the sound of voices lifted in prayer.

The family walked up the steps together, their breaths visible in the cool air. Bella, radiant in a navy dress, held Liora's small hand. The little girl, now nearly three, looked around with wide, curious eyes, her tiny white shoes clicking softly against the marble floor as they entered. She clutched a children's Bible, gifted to her by the church's Sunday school teacher the week before, as if it were her most precious possession.

Inside, the cathedral's vaulted ceilings soared above them. Shafts of colored light filtered through the stained glass, painting the pews in ruby, sapphire, and emerald. The air carried the scent of old wood and faint incense, grounding Lukas in memories of his childhood visits to church in New Bedford with his parents.

They slid into the third pew from the front, the spot Lukas always preferred—not so close that it drew attention, but close enough that he could hear every word clearly. Noah sat to his right, his frame straight and respectful. Across the aisle, familiar faces from the community nodded their quiet greetings. Even after all his success, Lukas found deep comfort in being among people who saw him not as the founder of Facebook or a tech magnate, but simply as Lukas—the man, the husband, the father.

The choir began to sing, voices weaving together like threads of gold. Liora leaned her head on Lukas's shoulder, her small voice trying to follow the melody. He smiled softly, remembering his own father's voice beside him in those long-ago pews. The ache of loss was still there, but moments like this filled that emptiness with something warm and steady.

When the pastor stepped up to the pulpit, Lukas listened intently. The sermon spoke of stewardship—not only of wealth, but of time, talents, and relationships. It was a message that seemed to pierce straight through the layers of business plans and investment strategies in Lukas's mind. He thought of how easily the world could seduce him into believing that his worth was tied to his companies and net worth. But here, in the presence of something far greater, he was reminded that his true legacy would be measured in faith, integrity, and love.

Bella reached for his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. Her eyes held the same understanding—this was their grounding, their compass. Noah's gaze was fixed forward, but Lukas knew his brother felt it too. In a family bound by trust and loyalty, this shared faith was an unshakable foundation.

When the service ended, they lingered for a moment, speaking with fellow congregants. Liora darted between the pews, giggling as the colored light danced on her hands. Lukas watched her, his heart swelling. Here was the reason he worked, the reason he fought through every challenge—the life and future of his family.

As they stepped back into the sunlight, Lukas felt a calm resolve settle over him. The week ahead would be full of decisions, opportunities, and pressures, but he carried this peace with him like a shield. God had blessed him abundantly—not only with success, but with the people who stood beside him through every storm.

And as the cathedral's bells rang out once more, Lukas knew this: no matter how high he climbed in the world's eyes, he would always return here, to this sacred place where his soul found rest.

The morning sunlight streamed gently through the tall windows of the mansion's east wing, casting soft golden beams across the polished oak floors. The house was quiet except for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the hall. Lukas sat in his study, papers neatly stacked to one side, his mind drifting between boardroom strategies and his daughter's laughter echoing from somewhere upstairs. It had been a long week filled with negotiations, meetings, and careful maneuvering in the tech world, but today—today was different. Today belonged to family.

Small footsteps approached, quick and light, and then there she was—his daughter, now almost three, clutching a small book in her tiny hands. Her hair glowed in the morning light, her eyes brimming with curiosity. She looked at him with that serious little expression she sometimes wore, the one that always made him pause.

"Papa," she began softly, "can I ask you something?"

Lukas leaned back in his chair, smiling. "Of course, my little star. You can ask me anything."

She hesitated, almost as if weighing the importance of her words. Then, in a quiet but steady voice, she said, "Who is God? And… how do we know He's real?"

The question caught Lukas not off guard, but in a way that made him straighten in his chair. He had always known this day would come—children, after all, were natural philosophers, unafraid to ask the questions adults often avoided. He gestured for her to come closer, and she climbed into his lap, still holding the small book.

Lukas took a deep breath. "God," he began, "is the One who made everything you see. The sky, the trees, the stars in the night, even the thoughts in your mind. He's not just somewhere far away—He's here, always."

She tilted her head, her little brow furrowing. "But I can't see Him."

He smiled, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead. "That's true. We can't see God with our eyes, but we can see what He does. Like the wind—you can't see it, but you can see the leaves dance when it passes. You can't touch it, but you can feel it on your skin. God is like that. He's in the love you feel, the kindness you show, and the beauty in the world."

Her eyes lit with wonder for a moment but then grew thoughtful again. "What if… what if one day I'm not sure? What if I don't believe?"

Lukas's heart warmed at her honesty. He kissed her forehead gently. "Then that's okay. Faith isn't about never having doubts—it's about what you choose to do when you do have them. God gave you a mind to think and a heart to feel. If your belief wavers, it doesn't mean you've failed Him. It means you're human, and you're free to choose."

"Free to choose?" she repeated softly.

"Yes," Lukas said with quiet conviction. "That's the most beautiful part. God doesn't want robots who follow without thinking. He wants His children to love Him because they choose to, not because they have to. And that choice will always be yours."

She rested her head against his chest, taking in his words. "I think I believe… but I also like that I can think about it."

He chuckled. "That's my girl. Faith isn't just in your heart—it's in your journey. And no matter where your journey takes you, I'll walk with you."

Outside, the sun climbed higher, spilling light into the room. In that quiet moment, surrounded by the stillness of the morning and the weight of the conversation, Lukas felt a peace deeper than any corporate victory could bring. This—this exchange with his daughter—was worth more than every stock, every acquisition, every billion he had ever earned.

They sat together in silence for a while, father and daughter, the world outside bustling forward, but here… time seemed to slow. He realized then that in guiding her, he was also reminding himself of something he needed to hear: faith was not a cage, but a horizon.

And for the first time in weeks, Lukas allowed himself to just be—not the mogul, not the strategist, not the visionary. Just a father, holding his daughter, and talking about God.

The late afternoon sun bathed the mansion in warm, golden light as Lukas walked hand in hand with his daughter. Her small fingers curled around his own, and the soft patter of her shoes on the marble echoed faintly in the entrance hall. The conversation they had just shared about God lingered in his mind, a tender reminder of the innocence and curiosity that made fatherhood so profoundly beautiful.

As they stepped inside, the scent of fresh flowers filled the air—roses, lilies, and daisies arranged in vases along the corridor. Lukas looked down at his daughter, smiling as she chattered about how she wanted to draw angels when they got home. He nodded, half-listening, his heart still full from the moment they'd shared in the park.

Bella was standing near the grand staircase when they entered, her hands clasped just below her stomach. Her eyes shimmered with an emotion Lukas recognized instantly—one part joy, one part anticipation. She took a few steps toward him, her smile widening.

"Lukas," she began softly, her voice almost trembling, "I have something to tell you."

He tilted his head, curious. "What is it?"

Bella's gaze met his, and she exhaled a shaky breath. "We're going to have another baby."

For a second, the world seemed to pause. Lukas stared at her, the words settling in like a warm tide rushing to the shore. Then his face broke into the broadest smile, his eyes lighting up with unrestrained joy. Without thinking, he pulled Bella into his arms, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

"Another blessing," he murmured, his voice catching. He kissed her forehead and then crouched down to look at his daughter. "Sweetheart," he said, his voice gentle but brimming with excitement, "you're going to be a big sister."

Her eyes went wide. "Really?" she asked, glancing between them. When Bella nodded, the little girl let out a squeal of delight, jumping into Lukas's arms.

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, shared plans, and quiet moments of awe. Lukas couldn't stop picturing the future—a home filled with even more love, the sound of two children's voices echoing through the halls, and the deep, unshakable bond of a family growing stronger.

Later, as he stood on the balcony with Bella leaning against his side and their daughter playing at their feet, Lukas lifted his gaze toward the sky. "Thank you," he whispered into the cool night air—not just for success or fortune, but for the blessings that mattered most.

The mansion felt warmer that night, not because of the lights or the fire in the hearth, but because of the joy that filled it. And Lukas knew, deep in his heart, that this was the kind of wealth no business deal could ever buy.


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