Chapter 1

Colette sat on the couch alone in the empty villa. She waited and waited until the villa doors finally flung open.

James Zeller marched in. He visibly paused when he noticed her presence. His expression immediately fell.

"Sophie is running a fever today. Why did you keep spamming me with calls?"

Colette rose from the couch, still keeping her head low without a word. James stood there in silence. Moments later, Colette finally whispered, "I needed to reach you."

"What was the matter? You look fine and dandy. What could have happened to you?"

James refused to accept her explanation. Instead, his demeanor grew colder. "Didn't I tell you Sophie was unwell? I had to spend all day by her side. Why did you have to do this to me on purpose? Colette Anderson, I warned you not to have romantic feelings for me. I'm like an uncle to you; we can never be together!

"You need to move out if you keep doing this to me!"

After dressing her down, James stormed into his bedroom and slammed the door shut.

Colette stood in the same spot, watching as he made his way upstairs. She whispered, "Uncle James, I'm sorry. But there won't be a next time because I'm dead."

James missed her whisper, but she did not mind. She settled down on the couch and couldn't help thinking of the past.

James was not her uncle; he was a friend of her dad. She loved hanging around James from a young age, and she treated him like an older brother. Every time, he had to patiently correct her, "Hey, I'm more like an uncle than a brother to you!"

When Colette was eight years old, she lost her parents in a car accident. It was at that time she finally regarded James as her uncle. James took her in to live with him. He raised her with utmost care like growing a delicate rose, and he poured all his love into her.

At first, when Colette felt anxious and lost sleep over her new living arrangements, James would patiently put her to sleep while working late into the night. As she was weak and frail, she had to take a lot of medicine.

The Zellers were unhappy at James' decision to raise the sickly Colette, and they requested that he send her away.

Refusing to send Colette away, James decided to leave his family and start a business of his own. His tense relationship with his family finally relaxed after the SQ Group that he founded rivaled the scale of Zeller Group's operations.

When Colette was 15, she nearly lost her life in a landslide during a school trip. It was James who went deep into the dangerous mountains and rescued her.

James would give her what she wanted without hesitation ever since she was a kid.

A particular incident left a strong impression on Colette. The year her parents passed away, she was exceptionally weak and sick. Once, she ran a high fever and had to be hospitalized. It took her three days to regain consciousness.

When she woke up, she hugged James in tears. Sobbing fearfully, she asked him, "Uncle James, am I dying?"

He said to her, "Lettie, no one can take you away from me without my consent. Even if the Grim Reaper takes you, I'll fight him to get you back."

James kept his word, as he protected Colette for ten long years until she turned legal at 18. He had never abandoned her no matter how tough his circumstances were.

However, on this day when Colette was stabbed in a home robbery, she called James repeatedly for help, only to be hung up on. He was busy taking care of a feverish Sophie Egan.

Sophie showed up in their lives three months ago. On one fateful day, Colette quietly kissed James in his sleep, waking him up in the process. He stirred awake and confronted her about it.

Since James had found out about her feelings, she openly confessed her love to him.

Bewildered, James sternly rejected her confession. He even went on multiple blind dates to force her into giving up. Finally, he brought Sophie Egan home and acted lovey-dovey with her in front of Colette.

When Colette was dying, she recalled Sophie picking up one of her many calls to James. Before Colette could ask for help, Sophie cooed, "Hey, Colette. What's the matter? James is too busy making soup for me to take your calls."

Without wasting time, Sophie ended the call. Colette took her last breath when Sophie hung up on her.

After Colette passed, her soul was saddled with resentment. Sensing her aggrievement, the Grim Reaper approached her, and she struck a deal with him.

In exchange for seven more days in the mortal realm to take care of funeral matters, she gave up on a chance to be reborn.

Colette walked up to the calendar. If James had paid any attention to the calendar, he would find that there were only seven days printed on it.

She tore a page off the calendar before whispering, "Uncle James, this is the first day of my farewell."

Chapter 2

Colette woke up early the next day and left the house to close all her accounts. She looked into these matters last night; her sudden death left behind a lot of paperwork. Now that James wanted to start a family with another woman, Colette refused to be a burden to him and add to his troubles.

Once she arrived at the office, the staff member looked at her in disbelief when she announced she was there to close her accounts. He had to double-confirm with her. "Young woman, most of our clients only get their accounts closed if they pass away. Are you sure about this?"

Smiling bitterly, Colette nodded at him. "I only have six days to live."

The staff member cast her a sympathetic look, thinking she must have suffered from some terminal illness like cancer. His sympathy deepened when he saw her record—she was only 18!

The staff member proceeded to close her accounts without any more questions.

Once Colette got that task out of her way, she went to get an official portrait for her funeral. She even bought herself an urn and linen shroud for her funeral. Every place she visited, she garnered sympathy from people there, but she wasn't bothered by it.

Her only goal was to get her funeral matters settled so that James did not have to worry for her.

She arrived home late after she ran the errands. At home, she saw Sophie in an apron, cooking in the kitchen.

Sophie approached and greeted her with enthusiasm. "Colette, you're home! I'm cooking dinner tonight. We're waiting for you."

Noticing the bags in Colette's hand, she asked curiously, "What did you buy?"

Colette shook her head without answering. She proceeded to place her purchases upstairs in her room before joining Sophie in the kitchen. "Let me help you out."

James finally arrived after the two ladies cooked in the kitchen. He was surprised to see the harmonious scene—the women did not fight or give each other the cold shoulder. In the past, Colette never got along well with Sophie due to her jealousy. Young and naive, Colette wasn't good at hiding her emotions.

The three of them sat down and dug in when dinner was ready. Sophie's enthusiasm extended to the dining table, where she kept piling food onto Colette's plate. "Colette, try the prawns. They're so fresh! I cooked these just for you."

Colette hesitated to eat the food that almost spilled out of her plate. She might be in human form, but she was at the core a corpse. When she struck the deal with the Grim Reaper, he reminded her not to take any human food in the mortal realm, hence her hesitation in eating the food offered by Sophie.

James noticed Sophie's awkwardness when Colette refused to eat the food. He shot Colette a warning look. "You will eat the food that Sophie served you."

Colette remained silent when she heard James' orders. Nevertheless, she finally finished the food on her plate. When the food slid down her throat, she felt a pang of pain. Her stomach seemed to be on fire.

She could stand it no more. Rushing into the washroom, she vomited everything she had taken in for relief.

The sudden change made Sophie tear up. She turned to James and asked pitifully, "Does Colette hate me?"

James' expression fell when he heard the question. Patting Sophie's hand to comfort her, he explained, "No, that's not the case. I'll check on her."

He made his way to the washroom. At that time, Colette felt much more comfortable after vomiting. Staring at her pallid face in the mirror, she let out a soft sigh, thinking, "Looks like I can't force it. I should make up an excuse to leave the house later."

With that in mind, she opened the washroom door, only to run into James. He had been waiting by the door with a brooding expression.

Momentarily taken aback, she thought he was at the washroom out of concern. After some deliberation, she said to him, "Uncle James, I feel unwell. You and Sophie should continue eating. I'll rest in my room."

At first, she thought James would head back to dine with Colette. But his expression turned sour, and he said something that stunned her. "I thought you were finally starting to behave when I saw you getting along with Sophie. But you're still as stubborn as before. You tried to make a scene to embarrass and upset her."

"Uncle James, I didn't—" Colette's face paled, her heart shattering. She forced a smile and tried to explain herself, but he cut her off coldly.

"I don't care about your reasons. You need to finish your dinner."

Chapter 3

James dragged Colette to the dining table and forced her to take a seat before returning to Sophie's side.

Colette looked up. She watched him comforting Sophie. When he sensed her gaze, he shot her a warning glance.

Colette tried to ignore the bitterness rising within her as she forced herself to finish dinner through the pain. Tears dropped onto her plate. Every time she took a bite, she felt a burning sensation spreading through her esophagus. Her food tasted salty from the tears. For a moment, she struggled to tell if her heart or her stomach was in more pain.

She finally finished dinner in silence as she watched James and Sophie being lovebirds. She heard the sound of car engines on the porch just when she put down her utensils.

Sophie chuckled when she heard the sounds outside. "Oh, my stuff has arrived."

After Sophie jogged to the door, James turned to Colette. "Sophie will move in with us starting today."

He fixed his eyes on Colette as though he wanted to detect any hint of opposition. He seemed to be anticipating her throwing a tantrum to stop Sophie from moving in.

After crying in the washroom just now, Colette had gathered herself. She nodded calmly. "Got it."

James was taken aback at Colette's calm demeanor. Something felt off.

Sophie came up to him and took his arms at that moment. "James, where's my room?"

James shook off the weird feeling and flashed Sophie a doting smile. "I'll give you a tour. You can have your pick."

The three of them went to the second floor for Sophie to pick a room. After she confirmed the location of James' bedroom, she immediately made her way to the adjoining bedroom.

Colette had a bad feeling when she saw Sophie wandering in that direction. She ran after Sophie and found the latter approaching the closet after scanning the room.

Sophie announced, "James, this room is fine. I'll pick this one."

Colette rushed over to stop Sophie, who had placed her hands on the closet handles by now.

She said to Sophie, "Stop! This is my room. You can't have it."

James' brows furrowed at Colette's huge reaction. He scolded her, "Just look at you! Get a grip! If Sophie likes this room, it won't hurt to let her have it. The maid will get another bedroom ready for you."

Even after he dressed down Colette, she pressed her back hard against the closet doors and refused to cave in.

He tried to control his temper in the face of her stubbornness. "You're getting ridiculous because I doted on you!"

Finally, Sophie stepped in to end the stalemate. "James, that's enough. I'll choose another room if Colette doesn't want to give up hers."

James laughed in anger when he saw Colette standing defiantly before the closet. He said on purpose, "Fine. Since she isn't backing down, you shall share a room with me."

Sophie shyly buried her face in his chest. He led her out of Colette's room after that. When they exited, Colette saw Sophie checking her own hand.

Sophie asked curiously, "This is weird. Why do I have blood on my hand? I wasn't injured…"

After the couple left Colette's room, James instructed the maids to move Sophie's belongings into his room. The maids busied themselves with moving the luggage.

Colette couldn't care less about the move. With trembling fingers, she shut the closet doors tightly right away. Only she knew the source of the blood on Sophie's fingers—Sophie had touched the closet, in which Colette's body was hidden.

Colette made sure the closet doors were closed before she taped the doors up. According to the Grim Reaper, she would vanish from the world if someone discovered her body.

Once she was done, she went to the living room for a glass of water. Feeling relieved, she walked past James' room, only to see him and Sophie making out through the slightly ajar door.

She closed her eyes and looked away. Then, she walked over to the calendar and tore another page off.

Chapter 4

Colette woke up early the next morning. Someone was busy in the kitchen when she entered the dining room.

James was making breakfast in an apron. Sophie spooned him from behind. Not only did he not flinch, but he would occasionally flash her a doting smile.

Their intimacy brought Colette back to a point in time. In the past, they had a lot of maids at home. James was often busy at work and wouldn't be back the entire night. The maids, slacking off, would bully her and not give her enough to eat.

After James found out about that, he fired all the maids and learned to cook all three meals for Colette.

Alas, Colette could love him no more. If being with Sophie brought him happiness, Colette would give them her blessings.

She quietly looked away and wandered over to the calendar. Sophie, who showed up without warning, noticed the calendar and blurted out, "What's the countdown calendar for? And why are there only seven pages?"

James turned around and saw the calendar. Colette, rather fazed by their attention, made up an excuse, "I found this calendar when I was hanging out with my friends that day. I got it because it looked quite interesting."

James did not question the poorly made excuse. Instead, he brought up another topic. "I'm going on a date with Sophie today."

He described it as it was and anticipated protests from Colette, but she only nodded at him. "Have fun, then."

He felt oddly frustrated when she did not react the way he expected to when he should have felt happy for her agreeable attitude.

The mood instantly tanked. Sophie spoke at that time, "Colette, since you're free, why don't you join us?"

Colette was surprised at the invitation. It took her a while to wrap her head around it, but she finally shook her head. "I have something going on today. I will meet with my friends as a farewell, so I'll have to pass."

Weeks before college started, Colette's friends expressed their anticipation of college life during their gathering. She was the only one who silently sat in the corner. After all, she only had five days left before her soul departed. She had no future.

Someone inched closer to Colette upon noticing her silence. "Hey, Lettie, I thought you had a crush on your 'Uncle James'? Why don't you make him your boyfriend before the school holiday ends?"

"Right, Lettie! A girl who shoots her shot stands a better chance than guys who do the same! Don't be shy; it's not like you're related to him in any way. Just go for it!"

The girls stirred in excitement at the mention of Colette's crush. They wouldn't stop giving her ideas, with some as bold as to suggest that she sleep with James.

Colette shook her head. "No. I will not have a crush on him anymore. I can't."

The gathering was a short one. She formally said her farewells to each of the girls when it was time to leave. "Candace, congrats for getting into your dream college. I'm sure you will have a bright future ahead of you."

"Sylvie, you get sick easily, and you always forget to take your breakfast. You should remember to take care of yourself."

"Emma, Susie, I'll miss you all."

She hugged everyone with a serious look that tickled them.

"Lettie, you're being too serious like this is the last time we'll meet! Don't worry. We won't forget you, even if we attend other schools."

After the farewell, the other girls left one after another. Colette was the last to leave. Watching her friends leave made her sad, as she knew they would never meet again.

"Goodbye, my dear friends."

…

James was already home when Colette got back from the gathering. She found him seated on the couch with a long face.

She looked around but did not see Sophie. "Where's Sophie?"

"She's on a business trip."

Colette did not give his answer much thought. Nodding, she was about to leave when he stopped her with a bunch of stuff in his arms.

"Hey, stand there! What's up with this urn and the linen shroud?"

Chapter 5

Colette's heart sank when she saw the stuff on the floor. How did James get his hands on them? She thought she had hidden them well.

After panicking for a moment, she had an idea. She stammered, "Tomorrow is my parents' death anniversary. I was making some preparations."

James' feelings of doubt vanished after hearing the explanation. After a pause, he volunteered, "I'll visit them with you tomorrow."

"Uncle James, it's fine. Just spend your time with Sophie and on your work. I was a burden to you in the past, but I will no longer trouble you anymore."

James was shocked by her rejection, as he had thought she would be happy about it. She left before he could react.

Colette quietly tore off another page from the calendar and tossed the shreds into the waste bin. She only had four days left.

James recounted her words when he watched her leave. He blurted out softly, "You're never a burden to me."

Colette did not hear him, as she had made her way back to her room.

…

With four days left in this world, Colette visited her parents at the cemetery alone. She placed the flowers in front of their tombstones and stared at their photos. Their warm smiles still felt like yesterday.

Sitting between the two graves felt like sitting between her parents. "Dad, Mom, I wonder if you are enjoying your next life. Please do not blame me for my stubbornness in giving up reincarnation for seven more days on earth.

"I used to be jealous of those kids loved by their parents, but that feeling went away because I have my Uncle James. He's good to me and showers me with love. That's why I fell for him, which I know is unforgivable.

"Now, I realize that my existence is just a burden to him. He will start a family sooner or later. I was destined to be alone from the very start.

"Life sucks. I don't think I want a next life. I don't regret my decision, but I feel sad that I have not received any proper love before I die."

She had a long chat with her parents in the cemetery, but she did not leave right after that. She met with the cemetery caretaker. After some discussion with the caretaker, she bought the grave plot beside her parents so she could rest in peace by their side.

After the cemetery visit, she sold off the assets she inherited from her parents and the gifts from James. She planned to return the money—stored in a debit account—to James to make up for his hard work of raising her in the last decade.

It was late when she got home. James wasn't home yet, which worked out for her. She tiptoed into his study with the debit card and quietly placed it in his desk drawer.

She was about to leave when she caught sight of his messy study that he had no time to tidy up due to his busy work. Sighing, she glanced at his documents before carefully tidying up the study, during which she accidentally opened a drawer with contents that stunned her.

She had discovered a stack of love letters!

She held her breath and shockingly picked up the love letters. Did James write them? She never knew he'd write love letters, but to whom?

Riddled by questions, her mind was a mess. James entered the study when she was deep in thought. His face fell when he spotted the love letters in her grasp.

He addressed her in a stern and nervous tone, "Why did you go through my stuff without my permission?"