Seven Days to Goodbye (Irene and Stellan) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Raphael froze, staring at me in disbelief.

I felt a little awkward and said, “If you think it’s bad luck, just pretend I never came…”

Raphael cut me off immediately. “No, it’s… an honor.”

He said it quietly, his gaze lingering on my frame.

Suddenly, I felt a pang of sadness.

Even an old friend I hadn’t seen in years could tell how much weight I’d lost.

Yet the man who shares my bed and dreams hasn’t noticed at all.

Or maybe he has, but just doesn’t care…

I sent Raphael my favorite photo and arranged to pick up the painting in seven days, then headed back to the hotel.

I’d booked the same hotel where Stellan proposed to me years ago, and even requested the same room.

I’d hoped returning together might stir up some memories-

But when I walked in alone, the only thing left was the glow of the ambient lights.

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Stellan was already asleep.

Disappointment washed over me, but then my attention was drawn to a plate of pasta left on the table.

I paused, legs stiff, walked over, and saw that the plate was full, still steaming.

The haze of warmth made my eyes sting and fill with tears.

He would still leave me a plate of pasta, but he’d never wait up for me again…

Maybe that’s for the best–at least when I’m gone, he won’t lose sleep.

I forced down a few bites, but the stomach pain sent me rushing to the bathroom, where I threw it all up.

Staring at my reflection, even my foundation couldn’t hide how gaunt I’d become. All I felt was exhaustion.

I’d imagined this trip as something unforgettable, but my body was burning out too fast for anything spectacular.

The next morning, I woke to find Stellan sitting at the edge of the bed, watching me.

For once, he offered an explanation. “I was in meetings all day yesterday, so last night I was exhausted and…”

Oh, the night before, he hadn’t come home at all. Valentina had posted an Instagram of them drinking late together,

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I didn’t bother to argue. I just murmured a reply, got up, and started my morning routine.

As I was putting on foundation, Stellan commented, “You look so pale now. You never wore makeup in Alaska before.”

I paused. “If you want to call me an old hag, just say it.”

Stellan was caught off guard, his irritation flaring as he muttered that I was impossible, unreasonable, a pain in the ass.

After another round of bickering, we checked out and rented an SUV, heading for Eklutna Lake.

It’s one of Anchorage’s most iconic lakes.

Eight years ago, after we exchanged numbers on the Alaska Highway, we bumped into each other again at Eklutna Lake.

That day, the wind was fierce, and the lake sparkled. I was busy snapping photos with friends, and he handed me a thick shawl.

Looking back, maybe it was that shawl that warmed me to my core.

We parked by the lake, and as I was about to get out, Stellan’s phone

rang.

He snatched it up quickly, but I still caught a glimpse of “Valentina” on the screen.

“I need to take this…”

His last word was drowned out by the sound of me slamming the car door.

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I got out, feeling his eyes on me, but I just pulled the shawl tighter and walked alone toward the water.

The wind was even stronger than it was years ago, but sunlight

washed the lake in brilliant blue.

Standing at the shore, I felt none of the excitement or awe I once did- just a sense of peace.

thought, if my soul stayed behind after I died, embraced by a lake this clear, maybe death wouldn’t be so frightening…

“Careful!” Suddenly, a hand grabbed me.

I turned to see two young women, concern etched on their faces.

“Miss, I saw you almost walk into the lake. Are you okay?”

Only then did I realize I was about to step into the water.

My heart skipped, but I was touched, and I shook my head. “I’m fine, thank you.”

Noticing how lightly they were dressed, I took off my shawl and handed it to them.

“Don’t catch a cold–health is the best foundation for beauty.”

The words tumbled out, echoing something Stellan once said, and for a moment, I felt disoriented.

One girl took the shawl, confused. “But what about you?”

Before I could answer, the other glanced behind me. “Is that your

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I got out, feeling his eyes on me, but I just pulled the shawl tighter and walked alone toward the water.

The wind was even stronger than it was years ago, but sunlight washed the lake in brilliant blue.

Standing at the shore, I felt none of the excitement or awe I once did- just a sense of peace.

I thought, if my soul stayed behind after I died, embraced by a lake this clear, maybe death wouldn’t be so frightening…

“Careful!” Suddenly, a hand grabbed me.

I turned to see two young women, concern etched on their faces.

“Miss, I saw you almost walk into the lake. Are you okay?”

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