The Price of Their Fortune Chapter 05
My hands shook as I stared at the two thin sheets of paper.
The first was the familiar DNA report. Its conclusion stated “No biological relationship,” exactly as it had in my previous life.
The second was a screenshot from a website that the nurse had accidentally slipped into the envelope.
[Urban Legend: Three at the Threshold, Fortune Follows]
My heart hammered so violently that it seemed ready to burst from my chest.
Forcing down my fear, I read every word.
“Old lore says that on the seventh evening of August, once in a rare and fated year, three chosen sons will enter the world.
“The man who publicly accepts them as his own will awaken a fortune bond for his blood relatives and closest friends. Wealth will multiply, opportunities will open, and every undertaking will prosper.”
So that was it. They believed this ridiculous story and were waiting for their promised fortune.
Then the next passage turned my blood to ice.
“But balance demands payment. For the blessing to become permanent, the recognized father must be sacrificed.
“If he remains alive seven weeks after accepting the sons, every gift will reverse into ruin. Those closest to him will meet violent, miserable ends.”
“This year, the three will appear at sunset on August seventh, at the southern edge of Cedar Hollow.”
That was the exact day and hour Delia had brought the boys home.
At last, I understood.
There had been no love, no family loyalty, and no brotherhood behind their behavior.
They were forcing me to claim the boys because they wanted to trade my life for imaginary good fortune.
No wonder they’d all acted possessed. Greed had willingly blinded them.
“Better to believe and be safe than doubt and regret,” I murmured.
A bitter laugh escaped me.
The people closest to me had chosen to sacrifice me over an absurd online legend.
A physician entered to check on me.
I caught his wrist. “Doctor, I’m leaving. Start the discharge process now.”
tang his hairline.
ad injury. The attending
Lining me
His lips trembled, and his voice came close to a plea.
“Please don’t put me in the middle of this. I’m only a doctor. I don’t know anything. Rest now. I have other patients.”
He fled so quickly that whatever hope I had left disappeared with him.
