She Had Seven Days with Him, and I Had Seven Days Left Chapter 03

Since I was leaving anyway, I figured I should wrap things up.

Before I even set foot inside the Hartwell residence, I saw Vivian through the window, shielding Nathan behind her.

“Mom, Dad, Daniel was busy, so I brought Nathan over to visit,” she said angrily. “There’s no need to throw the gifts on the floor!”

Vivian’s father, Russell Hartwell, pointed at her, his voice booming with fury. “You brat! Listen carefully! Daniel is the only son-in-law I’ll ever accept! Get this boy toy out of my house! Now!”

Lydia Bennett, my mother-in-law, clutched her chest, her face pale with frustration. “Your father is right. Take him away right now! Vivian, how do you think this will make Daniel feel?”

Watching them stand up for me brought a faint warmth to my chest.

Years ago, Russell and Lydia were dead set against me marrying Vivian. Only after she spent three days and three nights on her knees did they finally cave.

To win them over, I regularly visited to cook for them and look after their health.

Over time, they came to treat me like their own son.

“Daniel and I already talked about this! He doesn’t mind me bringing Nathan home! I’m not asking you to accept him. I just brought him over for a quick visit. Do you really have to be this cold? Nathan, let’s go!”

Vivian’s face flushed with anger as she grabbed Nathan’s hand to leave.

It was a mirror image of how she used to fight for me back then. Except now, the guy by her side had changed.

I left the routine checkup results at the front door and turned to leave.

Just as Vivian opened the door, her eyes locked onto mine, and her expression instantly froze. “Daniel?”

Our eyes met for a brief second.

I caught the flash of panic and unease in her eyes, but in the end, she didn’t run after me.

It wasn’t until I walked out of the residential neighborhood that my phone buzzed with a message from her.

“Daniel, I only brought Nathan to see my parents. There’s nothing else to it. You’re their only son-in-law and my only husband.

“Once these few days are over, I promise I’ll break things off with him completely and make it up to you, okay?”

She sent several messages in a row, terrified that I’d misunderstand.

I typed back a simple reply. “It’s fine. I just came by to drop off their routine checkup results. They’re getting up there in age. I’ll send you the details of their health conditions. You can review them when you have time. From now on, you or Nathan will have to handle these things.”

Vivian replied almost immediately, “Daniel, you’re still mad, aren’t you? You’re jealous of Nathan.”

Then came a $5,000 transfer.

“Take the money. Go hang out with some friends and unwind for a couple of days. Have fun. We’re getting remarried in a few days anyway, so don’t overthink it. You’re the one I love most.”

She followed it up with a blowing-a-kiss emoji.

I transferred the money back to her and just replied, “Okay.”

Only then did she finally stop messaging.

After leaving the Hartwell residence, I felt completely aimless, unsure of where to go.

Without realizing it, I wandered onto the street in the historic district where Vivian and I used to go on dates.

“Vivian, put on this bunny-ear headband! You’re gonna look so cute. Come on, let’s take a photo!” A familiar voice cut through the air.

I looked up and saw Vivian and Nathan in coordinated outfits, snapping affectionate photos together by the curb.

Vivian spotted me almost instantly. Her expression shifted, and she quickly walked over.

Before she could speak, Nathan put on a wounded act. “Daniel, why are you following us? Vivian’s only keeping me company for a few days. Do you really have to do this?”

His eyes welled up with tears as his voice cracked. “Do I have to disappear from Vivian’s life forever before you’re finally satisfied?”

Hearing him level accusations at me, I didn’t even have the energy to defend myself.

Vivian frowned and cut him off. “Don’t talk to Daniel like that! Go wait over there.”

Nathan tried to act cute, but Vivian’s expression darkened, forcing him to reluctantly shuffle away.

Vivian turned back to me. After a long silence, she let out a weary sigh. “Daniel, you’re making this really exhausting.”