In my previous life, backed into a corner with nowhere left to turn, I had bought a scratch-off ticket at exactly this hour. I won nothing.
But the young man in line behind me? He won fifty million dollars.
This time, I found that same lottery shop and spent every last dollar I had on a stack of scratch-offs.
I couldn't remember which ticket he'd chosen, but I was almost certain it had come from this batch.
My pulse quickened. I was about to start scratching when my phone rang.
Elijah. His voice crackled with fury and impatience.
"Cassandra! Where the hell did you go? I've called you a dozen times!"
"What's your plan for the money? The master is leaving today—this is your last chance!"
He paused, and his tone softened, turned coaxing.
"I'm doing this for Nora too, you know. Don't be angry. I had someone calculate it—you'll live past ninety. Trading ten years for three hundred thousand? That's a bargain."
I laughed silently. So desperate, Elijah? Anita's son must be running out of time.
"Let the master leave. I'm not doing the trade."
"Not doing it?" His voice pitched higher. "Then how are you going to pay for Nora's surgery? Cassandra, stop being stubborn! Nora can't wait!"
I cut him off.