All Chapters of Seven Days of Goodbye: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

I died.Yep—flat-out died while picking up a birthday gift for my foster brother, Alex.The shoes he wanted had just dropped on Christmas Eve, and our tiny town was useless. So I told my husband, Brian, to take my sister, Ruby, home first to eat with my parents.I snagged the shoes, started heading back... then bam—massive pileup.While trying to get some kids out of a wrecked tour bus, a car exploded and blasted me off a cliff. Dead on impact.The Reaper felt bad for me—said I didn't deserve to go out like that. Gave me seven days. One last shot to say goodbye.When I came back, it was already dark.I kept thinking—I wish I had wings. Maybe they were waiting.But under the moonlight, as I got closer, I saw through the dining room window—Alex, sitting between my parents. Brian and Ruby, side by side.Red wine. Fancy food. Everyone dressed like they were starring in a holiday ad.It was a six-seat table, but somehow, it felt like there was no room for a sixth.Bitterness hi

Chapter 2

Ruby gave him this soft, sugary smile."Sleeping with Mommy and Daddy makes you that happy?"Alex nodded hard, voice all small and pitiful."Of course! Mommy, Daddy, when are you gonna get married and take me to Montedra?"Brian's face went dark.Ruby jumped in fast."Alex, how many times has Mommy told you? If Mommy and Daddy were together, your aunt would be hurt. Don't ask that—it puts Daddy in a tough spot."Then my dad chimed in, voice low."Kid just wants his parents together. Honestly? You two should just come clean to Shiloh."My head buzzed. Every word echoed—sharp, clear, cruel.But strung together? It felt unreal. Too twisted to process.I looked at his face—Brian's face, just younger. Back then, I used to smile at the resemblance.Once, I brought it up. My mom got weirdly defensive."What nonsense! Are you accusing your husband? Brian treats you so well. How could you doubt him?"I panicked."I didn't mean it like that. I just thought... maybe he was meant to

Chapter 3

The second I said "divorce," Ruby lit up.Alex clapped. "Finally! The bad lady's giving Dad back to Mom!"Dad sneered. "She's always been a curse. Kept Brian tied up too long. Divorce him, let him marry your sister, and they can finally be a real family."Mom stayed quiet, eyes dodging mine.And yeah—I got the message loud and clear.I'd been numb to their favoritism for years, but it still burned.Ruby's eyes went watery. "Shiloh, I'm sorry. I messed up. But Alex needs his dad—"Brian cut her off, snapping, "Shut up! When did I ever say I'd marry you?"Ruby froze, face twisting in humiliation.Brian ignored her, clutching my hand. "Babe, she drugged me. That's the only reason it happened. I begged her to end it, but she wouldn't. Then she vanished."When I found out Alex was already here, I freaked—I thought you'd leave me. So when your parents offered to take him in, I said yes."I owe Alex, but Ruby and I? There was nothing. I swear."Ruby broke down, sobbing. "Brian, ho

Chapter 4

Six days flew by.Brian dragged me back to our old high school, the food street where we used to sneak off for dates—every memory he could dig up, trying to make me forgive him.Sometimes, when he looked so broken, I almost cracked.Then Ruby would send me another piece of proof. Every text was like a slap, and it kept me steady.That morning, I told him I wanted to go back to Montedra.I'd already gathered enough dirt on him, sent it to a friend last night.Now I just wanted to go home—the one I built myself—and say goodbye.Brian hesitated."I can't go with you. I've got a flight to Ferovia for a deal. You should head back first."He held up his phone, all apologetic. "See? Booked this ticket before Christmas. I'm not making it up."I just nodded. "Fine. I'll go back after breakfast."Once we ate, he rushed to get me in the car, way too eager.What he didn't know—I ditched the plan halfway and went straight to the airport.Didn't take long before I spotted him, arm aroun

Chapter 5

Brian barked into the phone, "Scam! My wife's here in Ferovia. How the hell could she be dead? Keep this crap up and I'll sue you when I'm back in Carmoria!"The voice snapped back, sharper now. "Are you really Shiloh Quinn's husband?"Seven days ago, during the bus crash, your wife went back into the fire multiple times to pull children out. On the last run, the explosion hit. She went over the cliff."Rescue teams and the parents searched for days. Yesterday, they recovered her body."The report's everywhere—thousands have seen it. As her spouse, you should've known."That's all I'll say. You need to come home immediately."The call cut out.Brian gripped his phone, muttering it was fake. But his shaking hands were already pulling up the news.One look at the video—her face—his composure snapped.He crumpled to the floor, the phone sliding away. From the speaker, a reporter's voice bled out: "Shiloh Quinn was a gentle, kind woman, deeply devoted to her husband..."He scramb

Chapter 6

I glanced out the window—Dad's car pulled up, Ruby in tow.Brian's face iced over as he headed downstairs.Ruby's voice cracked, all pitiful. "Brian, why'd you leave me alone in Ferovia? If I hadn't caught on, were you just gonna ditch me?"Dad exploded. "Must've been Shiloh making Brian do this." Hands on his hips, he bellowed, "Shiloh! Get down here! You've gotten real bold, bullying Ruby over and over. I'll break your legs today!"I drifted up close, staring at his twisted face, and let out a laugh. "Dad, no need to beat me anymore. I'm already dead. Happy now?"Brian's rage snapped. He lunged and decked my dad, fist landing square on his face."Benjamin! Shiloh's my wife. Touch her and you'll regret it!"Dad hit the floor, glaring, ready to fire back—until he caught the fury blazing in Brian's eyes. He froze."B-Brian, what's gotten into you?" His voice wavered. "I know you like Shiloh, but she's just a wife who can't give you a family. Ruby's different—she gave you a son!

Chapter 7

Ruby's eyes went wide, her face twisting as she clawed for air.Suddenly Alex lunged, sinking his teeth deep into Brian's wrist.Brian hissed, flinging him off and slamming him to the ground, then drove a brutal kick into his side.His eyes blazed with raw murder. "You little brat! Shiloh died 'cause you wanted those damn shoes. You should be the one paying with your life!"He yanked Alex up, lifted him high overhead, and hurled him down toward the floor.The room went dead silent in shock.Only Mom moved, diving just in time to catch Alex. The impact knocked her flat on her back.Alex shook like a leaf on top of her, eyes locked on Brian's crazed face, urine soaking his pants.Mom groaned, pushing herself up. But instead of checking on him, she crawled to Brian's feet, worry filling her eyes."Brian," she whispered, "tell me... what happened to Shiloh?"Brian's gaze dropped to her.Truth was, I looked a lot like Mom. People always said we were cut from the same mold.Every

Chapter 8

Brian booked me a VIP cremation furnace.Right after he paid and went to grab clothes for me, reporters swarmed him.He figured they wanted a grieving-husband interview. Looking drained, he said, "Sorry. Losing my wife's been too much. I can't do interviews. Please leave."A rotten egg nailed him in response.An old man in the crowd yelled, "You scum! You had a good wife, but you snuck around with her sister. Guys like you don't deserve to exist!"I followed the noise and saw the funeral home entrance packed.People were furious, clutching my photo with red, swollen eyes.I didn't know them—until I spotted a kid sobbing over my picture. That's when it hit me. They were the families of the kids I'd saved.I never thought they'd show up so soon.Looking at their grief, I realized my death hadn't been pointless. At least it kept their families whole.The crowd hurled whatever they could at Brian. He didn't dodge, just bowed low, blood from his forehead mixing with his tears on t

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