Chapter 1
My story began with a death sentence: three months to live. Just ninety days left of everything—until a strange system offered a way out. My only chance was to tether my fate to someone blessed with unparalleled good fortune.
The scan didn't take long. It identified my lifeline almost instantly: James Sterling. My greatest rival in the business world, the man who seemed to enjoy every failure of mine. Fitting, really.
There was, however, a twist. This wasn't just any survival system; it was a fertility one. My borrowed time was tied to his wife's womb. Every child she carried meant another year of life for me.
Driven by sheer desperation, I made a choice. One night, I slipped into his mansion and left a small, carefully hidden speaker. Then, I set it to play a single, repeating message. "Mr. Sterling, it's time for your second child."
The next day, he arrived at the office looking like he hadn't slept a wink. Deep shadows hung under his eyes. He called me into his office and shut the door with a soft click. Leaning heavily on his desk, he let out a long, weary breath before speaking, "I'm investing 30 million dollars in your new venture. The condition is simple. Please... for the love of God, stop begging us to have another baby."
*****
The day the test results came, the sky was a sheet of slate. My own heart felt the same gray heaviness, weighed down by a sentence handed down like a verdict from a black-robed judge.
The doctor adjusted his glasses with deliberate care and pronounced the result: a rare, progressive genetic disorder. I had three months left. Maybe.
I stared at the flimsy sheet of paper in my hand. Life, it seemed, had a punchline. And I was it. Rebecca Carter, twenty-six, hailed as the business world's newest bright star, was about to be snuffed out. My company had just gone public. I was poised to finally outmaneuver James Sterling, my lifelong rival, and claim the top. Instead, the universe offered me an early retirement plan. A permanent one.
Just as I was about to reserve a prime spot in the cemetery, a robotic voice suddenly echoed in my head.
"Strong will to survive detected. 'Fortune Sharing, Life Extension System' activated.
"This system will bind you to a designated Man of Fortune. By increasing his Happiness Index, you will be rewarded with additional lifespan."
A spark ignited in the dark haze of my despair. A lifeline? Seriously?
"Scanning... Target located... Binding successful. Bound Individual: James Sterling."
The spark fizzled and died.
James Sterling? The guy I'd fought over sandcastles with in kindergarten, who'd stolen my first big client, poached my star employee, and whose greatest wish seemed to be my spontaneous death? That James?
"System, did you mess up the scan? Can't you pick someone else? Even the old guy next door would be better," I complained.
"Binding is irreversible. James Sterling's current core life goal is to have a child. Main Quest: Help James and his wife, Emily Lane, conceive. If successful, you'll get an extra year of life."
I was rendered speechless. What kind of bizarre request is this? Was this system even legit?
Desperate times called for desperate measures. I paid a hefty price to get James' address, and under the cover of darkness, I snuck into his villa's garden like a ghost.
I pulled out the mini Bluetooth speaker I'd stashed, hid it in the bushes right outside his bedroom window, and hooked it up to my phone. Then I set it to loop my own recording. "Mr. Sterling, no matter how busy you are, don't forget to come home. Mr. Sterling, it's time for baby number two. Mr. Sterling..."
With the moon hidden and the wind howling, my voice—echo effects and all—sounded extra spooky.
The next day, feeling pretty pleased with myself, I headed back to the office. That was when James' assistant called, saying James wanted me in his office.
When I walked into James' office, he was sitting by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, looking absolutely furious. His face was pale, and the shadows under his eyes were so deep they looked painted on.
When he saw me, his eyes were daggers—if looks could kill, I'd be six feet under.
"Rebecca, was that you last night?" he said, glaring at me.
I arranged my features into a mask of pure, innocent confusion. "James? What are you talking about? I slept wonderfully last night. Unlike you, apparently. Rough night?"
He moved to his desk, placing both palms flat on the polished surface and leaning forward, his presence dominating the room. "I'll invest 30 million dollars in your new project."
I was stunned. Was he possessed or something?
"On one condition. The goddamn voice. It stops. Tonight. And forever," he continued, each word dropping like a stone.
Inside, I was grinning ear to ear, but on the outside, I pretended to be troubled. "Mr. Sterling, what are you talking about? I'm really not sure what you mean."
He stared me down, his words squeezed out through clenched teeth. "You know damn well. Take the money and keep your distance from me and my family."
I reached out with a big grin. "Deal, Mr. Sterling. Looking forward to working together."
Thirty million in the bag, but I knew this was just the beginning. As long as his wife wasn't expecting, the timer on my life wouldn't stop ticking.