The Price of Their Fortune

"I'm just going downstairs for some air. I'll be right back."

My wife was bent over in the entryway, putting on her shoes, when a jolt shot through me.

I'd come back to life.

"Be good while I'm gone, honey. I'll bring you that chestnut cake you love from the bakery on the corner, okay?"

Her gentle voice made my heart twist with pain.

Even at the moment of my death, I'd never understood.

We'd dated for three years and been married for five. Our relationship had been loving, and I'd never betrayed her.

Accredited DNA testing had proved the three boys weren't related to me or my wife.

Yet in my previous life, she'd insisted they were mine.

She'd even demanded I surrender nearly two million dollars in marital assets and leave with nothing.

Why?

Until I learned the truth, I couldn't let her walk out that door.

When she reached for the handle, I rushed forward and caught her wrist.

"Delia, don't go. Let's have a child of our own. Right now."

A blush spread across my wife's face as she gave me a playful shove.

"What are you saying in the middle of the day? Besides, we should prepare properly before trying for a baby."

I swept her into my arms and carried her toward the bathroom. "Then take a bath with me."

Only one thought filled my mind. If Delia became pregnant with our own child, perhaps she wouldn't become obsessed with three strange boys, and I might escape the tragedy of my first life.

Then, in the very next second-

"Ding-dong!"

The doorbell rang.

"Oh, I'll get it!"

As though an invisible string had pulled her, Delia raced to the front door wearing nothing but a bath towel.

I ran after her, trying to stop her.

I was too late.

The lock clicked, and she opened the door.

Three identical little boys stood on the other side.

Delia turned toward me with delight and repeated the exact words she'd spoken in my previous life.

"Honey, look at our children. Don't they look exactly like you?"

All the strength drained from my body, and I stumbled backward.

"Delia, I've never betrayed you. How could these children possibly be mine?"

The smile vanished from her face. She pointed at me and shrieked.

"They're yours because I say they are! They're obviously your sons, and you're not going to abandon them!

"Nathan, you'll claim them today whether you want to or not. Don't even think about casting me and the boys aside!"

The madness on her face was identical to what I remembered.

This time, I didn't lose control and desperately argue my innocence.

Instead, I let out a slow breath.

"You say these children are mine. What proof do you have?

"We've been together for eight years. I've never done a single thing to betray you or this family."

My voice carried more confusion than anger.

"I honestly don't understand why you're so determined to force three unknown children onto me."

Delia trembled as though I'd insulted her beyond forgiveness. She jabbed a finger toward me and screamed.

"Proof? They're living proof! Nathan, I never imagined you could be this disgusting. These are your own children!

"Even wild animals protect their young, but you won't acknowledge your own sons? I'm ashamed of you!"