Seven Days to Goodbye (Irene and Stellan) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The first time we met was on an Alaska highway.

The second time, we fell stupidly in love.

This time… I was ending our marriage.

And I would say my last goodbye to this world there.

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The day I got my late–stage stomach cancer diagnosis, I called Stellan in the airport terminal.

“Stellan, I agree to the divorce.

“I don’t want anything. My only condition is that you come with me to Alaska one last time, to retrace the paths we walked when we were in love.”

Stellan was quiet for a long time before his wary voice came through.

“Irene, what are you up to now?”

My mind drifted for a second, bitterness rising in my chest.

Eight years ago, we loved each other. Now, we could barely stand each other.

“I’m waiting for you at the security checkpoint in Terminal A,” I said.

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“Bring the divorce papers.

“The flight leaves in three hours. This is your only chance to get my signature. If you miss this window, the offer is gone.”

I hung up, then crumpled the test result–my “death sentence“-and tossed it in the trash.

I pulled out my sunglasses and slipped them on, hiding my red, swollen eyes.

Late–stage stomach cancer…

Maybe this was my karma for being such a “crazy woman.”

Ever since my cousin, Valentina Hawley, joined Stellan’s company two years ago, he had been working late more often than not.

It started with a casual comment-“Your cousin’s pretty interesting.”

Then, he couldn’t go a day without mentioning her.

I fought and raged, even cutting ties with my aunt’s family–all for nothing.

Valentina got promoted and became Stellan’s personal assistant.

And Stellan handed me a divorce agreement.

Three days ago, I received the eighth revision of those papers.

I completely lost it–I trashed our house while crying and yelling at

him.

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“Stellan, you promised you’d love only me forever! Now that you’ve found someone younger and prettier, you want to go back on your word and abandon me? In your dreams!

“I won’t step aside for her. You have to live, and you have to suffer with me until the very end! You’ll never get rid of me!”

Then fate slapped me in the face, leaving me with just a month to live.

So I decided to let go. Since I couldn’t bind him to me for another 70 years, I’d cling to him for seven more days.

Stellan arrived at the airport soon after, pushing a suitcase I’d never seen before.

It was probably packed by Valentina at the last minute.

The moment he spotted me, he rushed over and started snapping at me without a second thought.

“Irene, can you stop acting on every whim? Do you have any idea how much trouble it was to cancel work at the last minute? When will you ever be reasonable?”

All that trouble, and he still came, determined to get divorced.

My heart ached, but with my sunglasses hiding my expression, I assumed a nonchalant air, folding my arms,

“I’ve never been reasonable. Didn’t you know?” I shot back. “You used to love this wild, impulsive side of me.

“You could have stayed behind. I’m perfectly fine staying married and

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pestering you for the next seventy years.”

I wanted to talk calmly with him, but after these two years, we’d become nothing but bitter enemies.

I couldn’t even remember how to speak to him peacefully anymore.

Stellan pressed his lips together, as if he found me completely unreasonable.

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself, then asked, “So, can you give me a reason? Why do we have to go to Alaska before the divorce?”

I turned away to stare at the planes on the tarmac, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Eight years ago, you asked for my number on the Alaska Highway, saying I was prettier than a columbine blooming on a high ridge.

“Seven years ago, we watched the golden glow of the sunrise on Mount Foraker together. You told me you loved me and wanted to be with me.

“Five years ago, you took me to the Alaska Native Heritage Center and proposed to me. We made a wish together, saying that this life-”

“Enough.” Stellan suddenly cut me off.

Frowning, he stopped, looking down at me with a complicated expression.

“What’s the point of all this? Is this just another tactic to avoid the

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divorce?”

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