Chapter 3
The glass walls of Innova Tech Tower glinted under the morning sun. Standing at the entrance, I adjusted my brand-new tie, fingers slightly shaky.
Even after a full week here, this still felt surreal.
"Good morning, Mr. Foster!" the receptionist greeted me warmly. "Mr. Wright said to head straight to his office when you arrive."
My heart clenched.
Ronan Wright was the deputy chief technology officer and also my direct supervisor.
He seemed impressed with my experience during the interview, but after a whole week here, I hadn't really contributed anything meaningful yet.
As the elevator rose, my phone buzzed. It was a photo from Amelia—Mabel and Matthew smiling in their kindergarten classroom.
Matthew's going to kindergarten was a breakthrough. It was something I never thought possible.
"Timothy, perfect timing," Ronan said, glancing up from a stack of papers. "The Horizon Group project—the client specifically asked for you to lead it."
I was stunned. "Me? But I've only just started..."
"They liked the system architecture you designed," he said, handing over the contract. "It's a major project. Give it everything. Also, starting today, you're getting a 20 percent raise."
As I stepped out of his office, my legs felt like rubber.
A 20 percent raise meant I'd now be earning more than double what I did before being unemployed. I ducked into the pantry and called Amelia.
"Amelia, I got a raise," I whispered, hardly able to keep still. "And I'm leading the project."
She gasped, her voice thick with emotion. "That's incredible, Timothy! I've got news too. The school assigned me to the honors class. And the pay's way higher than I expected."
After we hung up, I stood at the window, looking out over the city. My chest was full—part joy, part something else I couldn't name.
Just last month, we were barely scraping by. Now, both our careers were taking off.
And it all started the night I first met Mabel.
Fiona Ziegler, an assistant at the company, handed me a steaming cup. "Here's your coffee, Mr. Foster."
I glanced at it. "Thanks, but I don't remember asking for—"
"Mr. Wright sent it," Fiona said, smiling. "Latte with two sugars, just how you like it. The company really appreciates you."
I took the cup. The sweetness lingered on my tongue, but something unsettled stirred in me.
It all felt too easy. It was almost unreal.
After work, the elevator doors opened to the scent of home-cooked food. I stepped into our home. Amelia was in the kitchen, apron on. Mabel and Matthew were at the table, crayons scattered, drawing intently.
On the table were honey-glazed ribs, roasted salmon, and seasonal greens—a rare spread for us.
"Daddy!" Mabel exclaimed, springing from her chair and throwing herself into my arms.
In her pink dress and twin pigtails, she looked nothing like the timid child I first met.
Matthew looked up, too, a quiet smile on his lips. That was his way of expressing joy.
I crouched down and pulled them both into a hug.
"How was your day, Mabel?" I asked.
"My teacher praised me," she said, bouncing with pride. "I recited a poem and everyone clapped. Matthew drew a picture, too. It's us together."
I glanced at Matthew's paper—two stick figures holding hands.
My eyes stung. It was the first time he'd drawn people. Before this, it was all scribbles.
Amelia walked over with a bowl of stew, glowing. "Matthew actually played with other kids today. And he even said 'thank you'!"
After dinner, we took a walk around the neighborhood.
Mabel skipped ahead, while Matthew quietly held my hand.
Amelia hooked her arm through mine and started telling me funny stories from her day.
"Mrs. Foster!" someone called.
It was Rosalie Leighton, our neighbor, who also worked at Amelia's school. "The principal asked me to tell you that you're representing our school at the city-wide teaching competition next Monday."
Amelia's eyes widened in surprise. "Me? But I'm still new..."
"He loved your teaching plan," Rosalie said, smiling, then looked at Mabel. "Is this your adopted daughter? She's adorable."
Mabel ducked behind me shyly.
Rosalie crouched and pulled a lollipop from her bag. "This is for you, sweetie."
On the way home, Amelia said thoughtfully, "Timothy, have you noticed? Ever since Mabel came into our lives, good things have been happening."
I nodded, but deep down, I couldn't shake off a nagging sense of unease.
Fate never gave out blessings for free. What if there was a price we hadn't seen yet?
That weekend, we went to the police station to process Mabel's adoption paperwork.
The officer, Peter Craig, looked over the documents, frowning.
"Timothy," he said in a low voice, glancing around. "This girl's biological parents... are not good people. We can get protective custody on the grounds of mistreatment. But folks like that? Trouble follows them. Are you sure you want to move ahead with formal adoption?"
I nodded firmly. "Mabel is already part of our family."
Peter sighed, handing over a stack of forms. "Fill these out and get them notarized. Once it's approved, you're all set."
Then he paused. "Someone's been asking around about her. Stay alert."
A chill ran down my spine.
On the way home, I kept looking over my shoulder, feeling like we were being watched.
Amelia noticed my unease. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I said. I didn't want her to worry. But I silently promised myself that I'd be extra cautious whenever I took Mabel out.
On Monday morning, just as I got to the office, my phone rang. It was the village chief.
"Timothy, great news," he boomed. "Our village's now part of the new development zone. Your family land's getting demolished. And the payout is at least one million dollars!"
My hand shook. One million dollars? That could wipe out our debts and get us a proper home.
"When can I get the money?" I asked, voice shaking.
"If paperwork goes smoothly, by next month," he said. "Just come by and sign when you can."
The moment I hung up, I texted Amelia right away.
She replied with a string of exclamation marks. Then added: [Big news to tell you tonight!]
That evening, the dining table was set with a feast. Mabel and Matthew were in their best clothes, grinning.
"What's the occasion?" I asked.
Amelia pulled me down beside her, cheeks pink. "Timothy... I'm pregnant."
My fork slipped from my fingers.
Pregnant? We already had Matthew and Mabel, and now another?
"The doctor says I'm six weeks along," she said quietly. "Right around when Mabel moved in."
My brain froze.
The one-million-dollar demolition payout, Amelia's pregnancy, our careers taking off—all of it happened in just one month of Mabel coming into our lives.
It was all too much to be a coincidence.
A flicker of unease crossed Amelia's eyes. "You're... not happy?"
"Of course I am!" I said quickly, grabbing her hands. "It's just... happening so fast. The payout, the promotion, your pregnancy—it's overwhelming."
Amelia sighed in relief, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Maybe Mabel really is our little lucky charm."
After dinner, we took a walk in the park.
The kids played in the playground while Amelia and I sat nearby on a bench, watching over them.
"Timothy, look," Amelia whispered, pointing. "That man... Hasn't he been watching us for a while now?"
I followed her gaze and saw a scruffy man standing in the shade, eyes locked on Mabel with an unsettling intensity.
My blood turned cold. That was Mabel's biological father.
"Get the kids home," I said under my breath. "Now."
Amelia understood instantly, her face pale.
She rushed to the kids, scooped up Mabel, took Matthew's hand, and started heading home.
I stayed close, scanning the area as we walked.
Only when we got back and locked the door did I let out a breath.
Amelia held Mabel tightly. "Was it them? Mabel's..."
I nodded. "It was Dennis. I didn't see the woman."
Sensing the tension, Mabel buried her face in Amelia's chest. "Mommy, I'm scared."
"Don't worry, sweetheart," Amelia soothed, gently rubbing Mabel's back. "We'll always keep you safe."
That night, we checked every door and window, making sure they were locked.
Just before bed, I got a call from Peter.
"Timothy," he said grimly. "That couple's been sniffing around for your address. Their son was born with a deformity, and they've racked up huge medical bills. Now, they're saying Mabel is a lucky charm. Whoever raises her gets rich."
My heart sank. "So they want her back?"
"It's more complicated than that," Peter replied. "They believe she brings fortune, that she's a money magnet. Now that they've seen your luck change..."
After the call, I stepped onto the balcony and lit a cigarette.
The wind was cool, but it didn't lift the shadow over my heart.
Mabel brought us luck, but she also drew some greedy eyes.
Back inside, Amelia had put the kids to bed.
She leaned on my shoulder and whispered, "What should we do?"
"Starting tomorrow, I'll take Mabel to and from school." I wrapped my arm around her. "And let's keep your pregnancy between us for now. The fewer who know, the better."
She nodded, then smiled faintly. "You know what's strange? Matthew never let anyone touch his toys before. But today, he shared them with Mabel. The doctor says his progress is almost unbelievable."
I looked at the kids—Matthew's little hand clutching Mabel's pajamas.
He used to live in his own world. Now, he had someone he wanted to protect.
"Amelia," I said softly. "No matter what happens, we'll protect Mabel. She's our daughter now."
Amelia nestled in my arms, our fingers intertwined.
Outside, the full moon cast a pale glow through the window.
We didn't know what tomorrow would bring.
But for now, the four of us, soon to be five, were together. And that was enough.
Late that night, sleep still didn't come.
The sudden reappearance of Mabel's birth parents hung over us like a storm cloud.
I tiptoed to the kids' room.
Mabel stirred, her tiny hand reaching out.
Matthew rolled closer, letting her grab onto his fingers. Watching this tender moment, my eyes grew misty. He'd come so far.
The ancient saying echoed in my mind, "In every blessing, there's a hidden curse. And in every curse, a hidden blessing."
I couldn't help wondering what trials lurked behind the blessings Mabel had brought.