The Fortune Teller Said I Was Bad Luck, I Brought Them Worse Chapter 08

The Fortune Teller Said I Was Bad Luck, I Brought Them Worse Chapter 08

I started the car.

Reversed, turned around, drove out of the lot. The chaos at the hotel entrance shrank in my rearview mirror, disappearing around the corner.

I didn’t go home. I drove to the riverside.

The wind tore through my hair as I leaned over the railing, eyes fixed on the murky river flowing east. In the distance, a freighter’s horn bellowed, low, long, mournful, echoing across the water.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, persistent, almost insistent. I pulled it out. Names flashed on the screen: Mom, Dad, Gavin, Aunt, Uncle, cousin… and then an unknown number.

I answered. “Hello?”

“Is this Isabella?” A sharp, angry woman’s voice cut through. “I’m Lily’s mother! What do you mean you disappeared on her wedding day? What about your brother? What about Lily?!”

I didn’t speak.

“I’ll tell you! Don’t think just because you’re his sister you can act all high and mighty! Lily marrying into your family is your luck! And now you show off, flaunt your money, how do you think your family sees us?”

“Mrs. Carter,” I said, my voice unnervingly calm even to me, “didn’t you say that someone told you I bring misfortune? I obeyed and didn’t go. So why are you angry?”

Silence.

“What’s with that attitude?! I was looking out for you! The Pastor said your luck is strong, and it could throw Lily off!”

“Then don’t get married,” I said. “That way, I won’t ruin her luck.”

“You! You…”

“By the way, Mrs. Carter, if you really believe that, you should know people are supposed to do the right thing. I paid for everything because I care about my brother. But now… it seems he doesn’t deserve it.”

“What did you say?!”

“I said,” I enunciated each word slowly, “this wedding? You can do it yourselves. Pay for it yourselves. I’m done.”

I hung up and turned off the phone.

The river wind hit my face, cold and sharp. I stayed there for a long time, until the sun rose high and sparkled across the water.

Then I got back in the car and drove to a place I hadn’t visited in years.