Defying Grandma Ruined My Life

I sprang up from the chair in the study, breathing heavily. I noticed that the scent of sandalwood mixed with the smell of old books—everything felt incredibly familiar. I then noticed my grandmother Maggie Lambert's black-and-white portrait on the desk. She was smiling kindly, just as she always had.

I shakily reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, noting that the screen still showed the date from three years ago—the day Nathan Lister, my son, first became ill.

I then checked that my banking app showed 80 million dollars in my account and that my company surveillance footage still showed everyone working normally.

Everything was as it should be.

I slumped into the chair, my back drenched in cold sweat. I realized now that it wasn't a dream—I'd been given a second chance in life.

In my dream, Grandma's words echoed clearly. "Go to the family cemetery in the south of the city and pay respects to our ancestors. Otherwise, a great misfortune will strike you."

Yet, the next second, the study door flew open.

Wanda Cooper, my wife, rushed in wearing her pajamas, panic written all over her face. "Nathan's fever is almost 104 degrees Fahrenheit! We have to take him to the hospital right away, Christian!"

In my past life, that choice had made me lose Wanda, Nathan, and everything else. I felt my chest heaving as the realization hit me, the red, leaf-shaped birthmark on my wrist feeling unbearably hot.

If I went to the hospital, Nathan could be saved—but I'd watch my entire life fall apart all over again. If I listened to Grandma instead, I might be able to keep everything I'd worked for—but something might happen to Nathan.

I knew there had to be another way. I had to get to the ancestral home. It was the only way to change my fate.

I jumped to my feet and snatched the coat off the back of the chair. "You should take Nathan to the hospital first! I have something hugely urgent to take care of and need to leave immediately!"

Wanda was stunned. She gripped my hand tightly and asked, "What could possibly be more important than Nathan? He's burning up and practically delirious!"

"Just trust me!" I pulled her fingers off my hand, emphasizing every word. "It's about whether our entire family lives or dies."

Wanda had never seen me so determined before. She stood there in a daze, an unusual expression briefly crossing her gentle face before she even realized it.

I had no time to explain, nor could I find the words to do so. I rushed out of the house and into the garage, then started the Cullinan. I hit the gas, my mind racing.

Grandma's first two dreams had come true down to the smallest detail. She had given me the winning lottery numbers and shown me exactly when and where I'd save Wanda and fall in love with her at first sight. She would never lead me into danger.

I knew that the third dream had to be important.

It was then that my phone rang sharply—Henry Johnson was the one calling. I picked up the call. "Where are you, Mr. Lister? Mrs. Lister just called me, sobbing that you'd left without caring about Nathan. He's seriously ill and needs to be hospitalized immediately!"

Henry sounded as calm and composed as always, though a trace of worry crept into his voice.

In my past life, he'd always been the most reliable person by my side, but in the end, he was the one who pulled out my breathing tube. I felt a chill run down my spine at that thought.

"Got it," I said before I hung up the call. I then pressed the gas pedal all the way down, speeding toward the ancestral home in the south of the city.

Had it been a dream or a glimpse of the future? I wouldn't turn back this time around.

…

It was unusually quiet in the south of the city that rainy night, with the ancestral home standing tall in the darkness. I followed Grandma's instructions from my dream and located the cellar entrance concealed beneath a stone slab. I soon came across the sigil-engraved talisman she had mentioned.

I tucked the talisman against my chest and rushed straight to the family cemetery outside the city without wasting a moment. I finally breathed a sigh of relief when I had finished everything. I sent Wanda a message as soon as I drove back. "It's all taken care of. I'm on my way back now. Is Nathan doing alright?"

Yet, after I sent the message, I heard nothing back. Wanda didn't reply.

I was suddenly overcome by an inexplicable feeling of dread. I called her repeatedly, but all I heard was the unanswered hearing. I knew that this shouldn't be happening—I had followed Grandma's instructions to the letter, after all.

I drove at full speed and looked up as soon as I reached our building, noting that the lights in our apartment were still on. I rushed out of the elevator, took my keys, and opened the door.