The Fortune Teller Said I Was Bad Luck, I Brought Them Worse Chapter 06

The Fortune Teller Said I Was Bad Luck, I Brought Them Worse Chapter 06

The new car was parked outside the dealership, its white paint reflecting the harsh morning sun. I opened the door, slid into the driver’s seat, and inhaled the sharp scent of new leather.

Ignition on. Gear in drive. Foot on the gas.

The car eased out of the lot, merging into the morning traffic. I typed in my home address, deleted. Office address, deleted.

Finally, I shut off the GPS and let the road lead me, anywhere but here.

The city slid past the windows—familiar streets, familiar buildings, everything I knew. Thirty years here, eight years working, covering my brother’s college, buying him a home, and now paying for his wedding.

I thought I was a good sister.

I thought family meant always having each other’s back.

I thought blood was thicker than water.

My phone lit up on the passenger seat, a message from my cousin. I glanced at it at a red light.

[Isabella, where are you? Uncle and Aunt are looking everywhere. The wedding is about to start, why aren’t you here yet?]

I stared at the screen until a car honked behind me.

Green light.

I drove on, not knowing where to go. There was gas in the tank, a little money left in my card. I could drive forever, out of the city, onto the highway, somewhere no one knew me.

But in the end, I parked near The Ashford Grand Hotel, across the street. Sitting in the car, I watched the entrance through the windshield.

It was already 10:00 a.m. The wedding would start at 11, but guests were probably arriving.

A red carpet stretched from the door, flanked by a poster of Gavin and Lily in their wedding attire.

The photos were perfect, Gavin smiling so his eyes nearly closed, Lily leaning on his shoulder, beaming.

The floral arch was up with pink and white roses, the exact ones I had chosen. The wedding crew made final adjustments, uniformed staff hustling back and forth.

I saw Mom. She wore the deep red gown, layered with a white knit cardigan, constantly checking her phone and looking up.

Dad stood next to her, suit on but tie crooked, speaking to someone with a stiff expression.

Then Gavin appeared.

In the dark gray suit I picked for him, hair perfectly combed, but his face pale, dark circles under his eyes. He stood at the hotel entrance, phone in hand, making calls.

I knew who he was calling.

My phone lay quietly on the passenger seat, screen face down.

Gavin tried a few times, then gave up. He turned to speak with Mom.
She shook her head, anxious. Dad patted his shoulder, trying to comfort him.

Then Lily arrived.

She stepped out of a black car, gown enormous, requiring two attendants to lift the skirt. Bridesmaids fussed with her veil. Sunlight struck her, the dress dazzling.

Gavin went to her, taking her hand. They spoke, she laughed, he smiled, but his smile was forced, curved at the lips, eyes empty.

I sat in my car across the street, watching my family bustle, welcoming guests, plastering smiles on their faces.

No one knew I was here.

No one knew I was watching them.